Topic Emerging Risks
Western broker: Don’t chop off the head of oil industry
December 9, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAlthough the impact of carbon emissions on climate is a major concern for carriers, western Canadian brokers are concerned about efforts to reduce Canada’s reliance on oil and gas. “Oil and gas is not going away any time soon, and…
The diversity and inclusion statement that hit home for Intact’s management team
December 9, 2020 by Jason ContantIntact Financial Corporation was holding focus groups on diversity and inclusion a few months ago, when a young manager of colour shared her experience with the insurer’s senior management. “She gave an example to us, which struck most of the…
IBC reveals the latest trends in auto theft
December 8, 2020 by Jason ContantElectronic auto theft, high-end vehicles stolen for shipment overseas, and street racing are three emerging trends coming out of Insurance Bureau of Canada’s (IBC) list of Top 10 stolen vehicles in 2020. Electronic auto theft is on the rise across…
Western Perspective
December 4, 2020 by Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorMeet Clint Smith, chief operating officer of Manitoba-based Andrew Agencies Ltd., which recently acquired several brokerages in Saskatchewan. Smith gave us his take on the challenges brokers face in Western Canada, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the inside…
Majority of cybersecurity executives expect to budget more to cope with COVID: study
December 4, 2020 by The Canadian PressTORONTO – A new study estimates more than half of executives responsible for cybersecurity expect to grow their budgets in response to new challenges raised by the COVID pandemic. Consulting firm PwC Canada says a poll of 3,000 executives around…
OSFI releases new (and softer) proposed rule on high-limit policies
December 3, 2020 by David GambrillCanada’s solvency regulator has come out with a softer version of its proposed rule regarding the property and casualty insurance industry’s issuance of high-limit policies. The new version is in response to the industry’s previous concerns about the massive $21-billion…
Saskatchewan restarts emergency grants for small businesses hit by COVID-19 rules
December 3, 2020 by Stephanie Taylor - THE CANADIAN PRESSREGINA – The Saskatchewan government is reviving an emergency grant program for small businesses that have been hit by restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19. The province will begin accepting applications for its small business emergency payment program…
Investors increasingly asking about insurers’ environmental practices: CFOs
December 2, 2020 by Jason ContantInvestors are increasingly asking insurers about environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) practices and how they are being managed, Intact Financial Corporation’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, Louis Marcotte, said recently. “In some cases, when we meet investors,…
Auditor general says N.S. slow to act on cybersecurity amid increasing risk
December 1, 2020 by The Canadian PressHALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s auditor general says the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting the need for more robust cybersecurity and anti-fraud measures as government employees are forced to work remotely. However, he says the provincial government isn’t working fast enough to…
Aviva CEO sides with science against fruitless conjecture around climate risk
November 27, 2020 by Adam MalikAviva Canada CEO Jason Storah has no time for arguing about the validity of climate change and the threats facing the planet that are affecting the insurance industry. Instead of debates about climate change based on speculation and conjecture, he’d…
Two options for cyber insurers dealing with huge loss ratios
November 27, 2020 by Adam MalikInsurers will be forced to make tough decisions about how they offer cyber coverage, thanks to claims going through the roof this year and losses piling up across the board, a cycler expert recently told Canadian Underwriter. Insurers will have…
How COVID-19 workplace risk advice has evolved
November 26, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAs the pandemic enters its ninth month, risk managers are seeing more emphasis on the length of conversations and the importance of wearing proper masks. “The key thing now is the length of contact with somebody else. Right now, if…