Topic Management
Has the pandemic changed how brokers think about specialization?
November 23, 2020 by Adam MalikWith the global COVID-19 pandemic affecting specific sectors harder than others, brokers may see the value in the diversification of their offerings so as to not have their business depend on the success of one sector, says one broker leader.…
Two ways COVID-19 affected this large brokerage’s M&A strategy
November 20, 2020 by Jason ContantThe COVID-19 pandemic required one large Canadian brokerage to take a “very different approach” to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. COVID affected the M&A process in two significant ways, Jamie Lyons, president and chief operating officer with Westland Insurance Group…
How renewal delays are taking a toll on brokers
November 17, 2020 by Adam MalikInsurers are becoming more meticulous around what they deem to be a good risk and that extra scrutiny is giving brokers heavier workloads, broker leaders say, and it could force brokers to limit how much they take on. Interest rates…
Brokers ready for new round of lockdowns
November 13, 2020 by Adam MalikManitoba went into lockdown Thursday morning after the province’s COVID-19 numbers ranked among the worst in the country and its healthcare system approached capacity. But this time, unlike the first go-around in the spring, brokers say they are in an…
Who’s heading Fairfax’s effort to improve opportunities for the Black community
November 5, 2020 by Greg MeckbachCraig Pinnock, chief financial officer of Toronto-based Northbridge Insurance, is heading the Black Initiatives Action Committee for Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., Northbridge’s corporate parent. The Black Initiatives Action Committee has one representative of the Black community from each of the…
The price you pay for a lack of diversity
November 5, 2020 by Adam MalikIf your brokerage lacks diversity, you may not only be missing out on growth opportunities, but you also are setting yourself up for bad hires, bad decision-making, and reputational harm, a keynote speaker recently told Ontario brokers. Organizations lacking diversity…
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…
When to not hire for soft skills
November 4, 2020 by Adam MalikA common adage around the insurance industry is to hire for soft skills and teach the technical stuff later. While that’s still mostly true among brokerage leaders taking part in a recent panel, one noted that there are times when…
How COVID made it easier to win the ‘war for talent’
October 28, 2020 by Jason ContantIf there’s a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that the pandemic might actually aid in talent acquisition – even if that talent comes from outside Canada. It’s no secret there’s an ongoing “war for talent” in Canada’s property…
How ‘extra steps’ can make for a bad customer experience
October 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachBrokers who are concerned about carriers having “too direct” of a relationship with the broker’s customers should consider what service those customers are expecting, an industry consultant suggests. “As an industry, we have a number of places where we have…
What carriers are telling brokers who don’t invest in technology
October 26, 2020 by Greg MeckbachWith a week to go before Hallowe’en, Ontario brokers heard some spooky stories last week about what happens if a brokerage does not invest in keeping up to date with technology. “Technology is going to be a much more permanent…