Topic Insurers
Intact CEO’s take on fear of auto rate cap contagion
February 23, 2024 by David GambrillIntact CEO Charles Brindamour does not anticipate Alberta’s auto rate cap will bleed over into Ontario’s private auto insurance sector. “There’s always a risk,” Brindamour told Mario Mendonca, managing director of equity research at TD Cowen, during a fireside chat…
Sports insurers urged to consider video review
February 22, 2024 by David GambrillA legal firm urges sports insurers to require their sports association clients to install cameras to record the action, following the B.C. Court of Appeal’s January 2024 decision in Cox v. Miller. In Cox v Miller, the court found Karl…
FSRA’s first non-auto P&C supervision plan to include review of MGAs
February 22, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoOntario’s insurance regulator is launching a review of P&C insurers’ managing general agent (MGA) outsourcing practices as part of its first non-auto P&C supervisory plan. “Given the risks and oversight concerns involved, insurer outsourcing to P&C MGAs is a priority…
Federal government announces $15 million to combat car thefts across Canada
February 22, 2024 by The Canadian PressMONTREAL – The federal government is committing an additional $15 million over three years to fight the rise in vehicle thefts across the country. Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc made the announcement yesterday in Montreal. LeBlanc said $9 million…
Managing insurer concerns about knob-and-tube wiring
February 21, 2024 by Brian Cook, PowerCheckMost insurers see homes with knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum wiring, and 60-amp service as high-risk, which prevents clients with those systems from easily obtaining home insurance. But are wiring types and service levels really the culprits causing fires? I’ve examined electrical…
How Intact plans to approach auto pricing in 2024
February 21, 2024 by David GambrillIntact delivered a combined ratio of 94.7% in its auto insurance business in 2023, and the company expects to post a similar auto result in 2024 as well, Intact Financial Corporation CEO Charles Brindamour said today in a virtual fireside…
Air Canada chatbot error shows liability implications of AI
February 21, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAir Canada has been ordered to uphold a policy fabricated by its AI customer chatbot in a recent Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) dispute. The decision is a cautionary tale for why clients need to be sure their AI chatbots…
Brokers needn’t advise new Canadians to obtain a provincial driver’s licence
February 20, 2024 by David GambrillInsurance brokers in B.C. aren’t required to advise clients new to Canada that they must apply for a provincial driver’s licence within 90 days of residency in the province, B.C.’s Civil Rules Tribunal has ruled. “I find that the duty…
PE-driven M&A is slowing, despite record deals in 2023
February 20, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoDespite some consolidators slowing their pace — namely, private equity firms — Canadian insurance brokerage M&A reached a record level of deals in 2023. There were 108 publicly announced deals last year, Smythe LLP, a P&C insurance advisory and consulting…
‘Very pleasant surprise’: Canada’s inflation rate tumbled to 2.9% in January
February 20, 2024 by Nojoud Al Mallees – The Canadian PressOTTAWA – Canada’s inflation rate fell more than expected last month as price growth moderated across the economy, including outright price declines for gasoline, airfares and clothing. Statistics Canada reported Tuesday the annual inflation rate tumbled to 2.9 per cent…
Co-operators acquires home inspection firm
February 16, 2024 by Jason ContantThe Co-operators has entered the home services line of business with the acquisition of the parent company of home inspection firm Carson Dunlop & Associates Ltd. Co-operators Financial Services Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Co-operators Group Limited, announced the…
Making clients valuable to your brokerage for the long term
February 15, 2024 by Adam MitchellWhen it comes to ensuring clients have the right products and coverage levels, life insurance brokers are doing things much better than personal lines brokers. But there’s no reason the P&C industry can’t operate at that level. You can’t sell…