Topic Insurers
Lessons for the industry from pandemic business interruption coverage disputes
November 10, 2020 by Greg MeckbachMassive business interruption losses resulting from COVID-19 have encouraged discussion about how governments can work with the property and casualty insurance industry to handle global disasters such as future pandemics, the CEO of an Ontario mutual suggests. “Public and private…
One essential thing required for condo premium relief
November 10, 2020 by Adam MalikClients don’t always know the process when they have to report a condo insurance claim, and a number of property and casualty insurance professionals believe education of condo managers and boards is key to turning around the hard market in…
How long will the haul be for Canada and the pandemic?
November 9, 2020 by Adam MalikA second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is gripping parts of Canada and it will likely be well into next year until we come out of it, an expert predicts. And the longer things drag on, the worse it bodes…
The opportunity in telematics that awaits insurers
November 9, 2020 by Adam MalikAs more connected vehicles enter the automotive space, there’s a great opportunity for insurers to offer drivers more than a score based on their driving habits. Instead, said an industry observer, carriers can offer a greater array of services and…
Brokerage M&A round-up: Which four were bought?
November 9, 2020 by Jason ContantBritish Columbia-based Westland Insurance Group Ltd. has moved into the Ontario market, announcing that it has acquired Gillons Insurance Brokers Ltd. The “significant and substantial milestone” supports Westland’s expansion strategy to become a national insurance brokerage, the brokerage said when…
Brokers react to Intact’s ‘unbelievable’ international expansion proposal
November 9, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA takeover of RSA Canada by Intact would still leave clients with plenty of choice in property and casualty insurance while making Intact more of an international player, an Ontario broker suggests. However, another notes that there is reason for…
Culture change needed to mitigate condo losses: Aviva exec
November 6, 2020 by Adam MalikAs capacity for condo insurance shrinks and premiums continue to mount, property managers and condo boards will find greater success with underwriters if they can show they are embedding responsibility for risk management and mitigating losses into their corporate culture,…
Why the impact of an Intact-RSA combo would vary by province
November 6, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThings could get interesting for brokers in Atlantic Canada if Intact takes over RSA’s Canadian operations, a Saskatchewan broker told Canadian Underwriter Friday. That being said, he felt if the proposed deal announced Thursday goes through, it would still leave…
Intact and Tryg preparing a joint offer to acquire RSA
November 5, 2020 by David GambrillA consortium composed of Intact Financial Corporation and Nordic property and casualty insurer Tryg A/S is preparing a cash offer to acquire RSA plc for £7.2-billion (about Cdn$12.3 billion). Intact is Canada’s largest property and casualty insurer, with a market…
Overcoming barriers to tech innovation: ‘If you don’t build it, they will leave’
November 5, 2020 by David GambrillIn the 1989 hit movie Field of Dreams, starring Kevin Costner, 36-year-old Ray Kinsella is wandering through his cornfield one evening when he hears a voice whispering, “If you build it, he will come.” In this instance, “he” refers to…
New CEO for Manitoba government auto insurer
November 4, 2020 by Greg MeckbachManitoba Public Insurance has hired Eric Herbelin, a former senior strategist for Zurich Insurance, as its new CEO, effective Jan. 4. Herbelin worked in Switzerland for Zurich from 2001 through 2016, according to his LinkedIn profile. MPI announced Herbelin’s appointment…
OSFI draft guideline tightens oversight of Canadian branches of foreign insurers
November 4, 2020 by David GambrillCanada’s solvency regulator has released a new draft guideline that tightens the regulator’s oversight of foreign insurance and bank branches in Canada. Among other changes to existing regulations, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) is requiring local…