Canadian Underwriter

Topic Management

Björn Bierfreund
News HRInsurersManagementOntarioOperations

Zurich Canada names new CFO

July 11, 2023 by Jason Contant

Zurich Canada has named Björn Bierfreund as its new chief financial officer. He replaces Lori Cassidy, who was recently appointed CFO for Zurich Commercial Insurance. In his new role, Bierfreund will be responsible for the continued financial stewardship of Zurich

Insurance claims adjuster working in the field
News AdjustersClaimsClaims ProfessionalsClaims TechnologyHRManagementPersonal AutoPersonal HomeTrusted Advisor

How the pandemic changed adjusting for the long haul

July 10, 2023 by Philip Porado

COVID-19 restrictions led adjusters to shift claims work to desktop teams. The change was driven by client reluctance to meet in-person and employees’ desire to reduce site work until the risks were better understood. But those changes can make some

News BrokersEmerging RisksInsurersManagementMergers and Aqcuisitions

How consolidation is changing broker-insurer relationships

July 7, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Brokerage consolidation is changing how insurers interact with their broker partners, panellists said during the Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. (IBABC) AGM and Leader’s Conference in Whistler, B.C., last week.  The impact of consolidation is most acute for insurers who

Analyzing workplace data
News BrokersCommercialManagementOperationsTechnology

Why you need to better understand data from your BMS

July 5, 2023 by Jason Contant

Brokers who can effectively capture data from their broker management systems (BMS) or other digital technology tools will be able to reap the benefits not only for their brokerages but for clients as well, panellists said during a Canadian Underwriter

Online recruitment
News BrokersCommercialHRManagementOperationsTechnology

How automation is helping brokerages onboard new talent

June 30, 2023 by Jason Contant

Onboarding new insurance employees remains a major pain point for brokerages, but digital technology is making that process easier, attendees to a recent Canadian Underwriter webinar heard.  Automation can help brokerages with marketing, business growth, sales transactions, and to connect

Map of Canada
News BrokersCommercialCommercial AutoManagementMergers and AqcuisitionsNew BrunswickNova ScotiaOperationsP.E.I.Personal AutoPersonal HomeProperty

Large Canadian brokerage now operating coast to coast

June 28, 2023 by Jason Contant

Editor’s Note: An original version of this article incorrectly identified Western Financial Group as Westland. Canadian Underwriter apologizes for the error.   Western Financial Group now operates coast to coast following its full acquisition of Huestis Insurance and Associates Ltd.

Success and strategy concept
News BrokersCommercialManagementMergers and AqcuisitionsOntarioOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Meet CBN’s latest member brokerage

June 27, 2023 by Jason Contant

Ontario-based My Insurance Broker (MIB) has joined the Canadian Broker Network (CBN). Based in Richmond Hill, MIB offers a variety of insurance products including home (as well as cottage and condo insurance), auto (Uber insurance, online auto quotes, motorcycle and

Four young businesspeople standing with arms crossed and smiling at the camera
News BrokersCommercialHRInsurersManagementOperations

How this firm hires mostly 20-somethings

June 26, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

While much of the P&C insurance industry is seeing large-scale attrition as industry veterans near retirement, one specialty underwriting firm has built a team comprised mostly of employees in their mid- to-late twenties.  For TruStar Underwriting, a specialty Managing General

Renato Rodrigues
News HRInsurersManagementOperations

Insurer appoints industry veteran as president and CEO

June 23, 2023 by Jason Contant

Everest Insurance has appointed industry veteran Renato Rodrigues as president and CEO of Everest Insurance Company of Canada.  Rodrigues will lead Everest Canada’s insurance business strategy, overseeing its underwriting, claims, operations and finance functions, Everest Insurance said in a press

Business leader press a mergers and acquisitions holographic button
News BrokersManagementMergers and AqcuisitionsOperations

Who’s acquiring Canadian P&C brokerages?

June 22, 2023 by Jason Contant

Private equity (PE) and insurer-backed brokerage acquisitions appear to have surged in recent years, but it’s difficult to get a true number as not all transactions are reported, business advisory and consulting firm Smythe LLP said in a new report.

Many hands putting together a jigsaw puzzle
News BrokersInsurersManagementMergers and AqcuisitionsOntario

Why consolidation slows down service levels

June 21, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Consolidators will have to tread the line between growing rapidly while also ensuring growth doesn’t hinder operations, particularly customer service, said experts at an industry panel.  Amid consolidation, small and medium-sized brokerages will be able to remain competitive if they

Talent magnet - attracting the best candidates
News BrokersHRManagementOperations

Where brokerages stand on increasing compensation to attract talent

June 21, 2023 by Jason Contant

Few Canadian P&C brokerages are looking at increasing compensation to attract and retain talent, even as they continue to try to distinguish themselves from their competition, a new industry report found. Like many industries, insurance has seen a shortage of