Canadian Underwriter

Topic MGAs

Flash in the pan
News BrokersCommercial AutoConstructionCyberInsurersMGAs

How reinsurers view the rise of MGAs: a flash in the pan, or sustainable?

October 3, 2022 by David Gambrill

Global reinsurers are looking at the current rise of managing general agencies (MGAs) with a critical eye, questioning whether the phenomenon will be long-lasting, or simply a fad rooted in a hard-market demand for capacity. “At the risk of sounding

Threads intertwining to represent mergers of eight companies
News AlbertaB.C.BrokersBusiness InterruptionCommercialCommercial AutoConstructionCyberEnvironmentalHRLegalLiabilityManitobaMergers and AqcuisitionsMGAsOntarioOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal HomePropertyTrusted Advisor

Which firm racked up 8 mergers over the summer?

September 28, 2022 by Canadian Underwriter Staff

Brokerage M&A has been hectic so far in 2022, with one firm bringing eight brokerages across Canada under its wing during the summer. Navacord today announced it closed eight acquisitions during July and August that expands the company’s presence in

Shanghai Skyline Sunset. Bridges winding through a mobile screen
News BrokersCommercialInsurersMGAs

New online platform ‘Bridges’ the gap between brokers and MGAs

August 31, 2022 by David Gambrill

Canadian managing general agencies (MGAs) have developed a new real-time, online platform that allows brokers to match their quote applications with MGAs underwriting that specific class of business. Once the match has been made, the platform promises to shave days,

Business merger and acquisition concept
News BrokersCommercialMergers and AqcuisitionsMGAsOperationsQuebec

Behind the scenes of an aggressive brokerage consolidator

August 19, 2022 by Jason Contant

Synex Business Performance plans to end this year with more than $1 billion in premium, a far cry from its humble beginnings of $3 million in premium just seven years ago. Currently, the Quebec City-based holding company has about $800

Business team connecting pieces of a gear, symbolizing partnership
News BrokersManitobaMergers and AqcuisitionsMGAsOntario

Navacord enters new province with latest M&A deal

August 18, 2022 by Jason Contant

Navacord Corp. has entered into a new province with the acquisition of Winnipeg-based ONYX Financial Group. ONYX’s portfolio encompasses benefits consulting and wealth management services, “and they have fortified a well-known presence within Manitoba and [northwestern] Ontario because of their

Ransomware and cyberattack by hacker
News ClaimsCommercialCyberEmerging RisksMGAs

The new cyber threat: phoning a call centre

July 28, 2022 by Jason Contant

One cyber insurance specialist is warning brokers and clients of a ransomware attack method that subverts common cybersecurity controls by tricking victims into phoning a call centre – rather than clicking a link – and instructing them to download malicious

Stakeholders conducting a strategic planning review in the boardroom
News Emerging RisksLicensingMGAsOperations

Regulator to engage MGA sector on emerging risks

June 22, 2022 by Jason Contant

Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory Organizations (CISRO) will soon be engaging Canada’s national MGA association to find out the emerging risks for the sector, the regulator said during a recent industry event. “Later this year, CISRO will be engaging CAMGA [Canadian

News BrokersCommercialCyberMGAsTechnology

The future of cyber-security: MFA and beyond

June 17, 2022 by Jason Contant

Here’s some cyber security advice for your clients: time to install multi-factor authentication (MFA). In the future, that advice may morph to: Please send us a scan of all your tech vulnerabilities, so we can see what cybercriminals see. As

Internet of Things concept
News ClaimsCyberEnvironmentalLiabilityMGAsTechnology

How modern tech companies are leaving old insurance policies in the dust

May 19, 2022 by Jason Contant

Modern tech companies are moving along at a much faster pace than the insurance policies designed to protect them, says Michael Brunero, head of tech, media and intellectual property (IP) at CFC Underwriting. “We started to realize the policy that

Gathering the data for underwriting a risk.
News BrokersClaimsCommercialCommercial AutoConstructionCyberEmerging RisksHRInsurersLiabilityMergers and AqcuisitionsMGAsOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal HomePropertyRisk ManagersTrusted Advisor

Where have all the good underwriters gone?

May 12, 2022 by Gloria Cilliers

For years, insurers have poached commercial underwriters from one another amid M&A activity, an aging population and hard/soft markets. But that’s left the industry with less seasoned talent and slower investment in acquisition, training and retention. “Suddenly, more so than

Open coffee jar with ground coffee
News CommercialCommercial AutoEmerging RisksInsurersLoss TrendsMGAsOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Despite “aggressive growth goals,” insurers cautioned to keep their powder dry

April 25, 2022 by David Gambrill

Although the industry achieved a highwater mark financial result in 2021, industry executives are cautioning insurers to keep their powder dry and not reduce pricing drastically to grow market share. “I just look through the windscreen, all the things coming

Computer security concept
News ClaimsClaims ProfessionalsCyberEmerging RisksInsurersLoss ControlLoss TrendsMGAsRisk ManagersTechnology

Why multi-factor authentication isn’t the cure-all for your client’s cyber woes

April 21, 2022 by Jason Contant

Staying one step ahead of cybercriminals seems to be a never-ending battle for insurers and insureds, cyber experts said during an industry event Wednesday. “The problem is, as we increase our cyber hygiene and become better insureds, the criminals adapt