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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…