Bernard McNulty, Chief Agent, Canada, Allianz Commercial Many challenges our industry faced in 2023 will continue to be headwinds in 2024. These include climate change/natural catastrophes, cybercrime and inflation. The industry’s talent shortage will also continue to be a challenge in 2024.…
In the 1942 classic film Casablanca, Ilsa Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman, urges the piano player Sam to play the song “As time goes by.” It’s a favourite tune she shares with the lead man in the film, Rick Blaine,…
Clients will benefit from competitive market pricing for directors and officers (D&O) insurance in 2024, but can expect underwriting discipline to return, says Allianz Commercial’s D&O insurance report. Of particular concern is inadequate responses by company directors and officers to…
Language models like ChatGPT could be used by bad actors to re-write software code and better prepare phishing emails, a cyber specialist warned recently. The state-of-the-art language generation model is capable of understanding and generating human-like text based on a…
With natural disasters on the rise, restoration firms are responding to the growing need through expansions and acquisitions, according to recent announcements. Intact subsidiary On Side Restoration has acquired Superior Disaster Services Ltd., in a deal that closed Dec.…
Canadian brokerages aren’t taking full advantage of an opportunity to arrange premium financing for their clients, particularly for commercial policies covering broad-based risks. In Canada, only 15% of brokered premiums are financed. By comparison, the U.K. rate is 20%, and…
Real estate pundits, including panellists at a Columbia University School of Business discussion early this year, are sounding the alarm about North America’s downtown cores. They’re predicting employees will shun return-to-office mandates, sparking tenancy death spirals for commercial lessors that…
Accurate valuation and occupancy data points remain top challenges for commercial broker submissions, according to Greg McCutcheon, president of Canada’s largest property data provider, Opta Information Intelligence. In this inflationary environment, keeping up with valuations and ensuring commercial property brokers…
Global commercial brokerage Hub International announced the acquisitions of two Alberta benefits firms this week. Hub, based in Illinois, has acquired JRP Financial Services, Inc., as well as the shares of The Musgrave Group. Terms of the transactions were…
Montreal-based managing general agency REVAU Advanced Underwriting Inc. has acquired Echelon Insurance’s surety division. “This acquisition aligns with REVAU’s focus on expanding its existing surety operations across Canada,” the MGA said in a press release Monday. “The teams’ shared values,…
As the hard market proceeds apace in the Canadian P&C insurance industry, a projected economic slowdown in 2024 could invite more insurance regulation, since Canadians will find it harder to pay their insurance bills, a ratings agency warned. “While growing…
Private equity firm Southampton Financial Inc. has announced its acquisition of Ontario-based digital insurance brokerage aha insurance. Launched in 2017, Waterloo, Ont.-based aha insurance offers consumers the ability to quote, purchase and manage car and home insurance policies entirely online.…