Topic MGAs
Canadian MGA association takes centre stage with new board of directors
June 11, 2021 by Greg MeckbachGary Hirst is stepping down as president of the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents (CAMGA). “You might think it is strange that I am pleased to be stepping down,” Hirst, the CEO of CHES Special Risk Inc., announced during…
MGA simplifies purchase and validation of tenant’s insurance online
June 9, 2021 by Greg MeckbachLandlords often require their tenants to have insurance coverage as a condition of the leases, but it could be quite a paper chase to keep track of thousands of tenants and their insurance status. Vancouver-based insurtech and managing general agent…
The real advantage of straight-through processing in the Lloyd’s market
May 31, 2021 by Greg MeckbachManaging general agents who can place small business coverage digitally through the Lloyd’s market are at a competitive advantage over MGAs using traditional paper-based processes, an insurtech CEO suggests. “We are one of the very few MGAs that has straight…
Pollution coverage gaps your clients may not know about
May 21, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe cost of cleaning up after spills of petroleum, oil, or other contaminants may not be covered under your client’s liability or property policy, a managing general agent warns. Many clients are exposed to pollution risk but are not necessarily…
The ‘perfect way’ for insurers to put capital back into the marketplace
May 10, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe hard market in commercial lines has caused some managing general agents to lose some products, yet more insurance is still being placed through MGAs, panelists told brokers listening to a recent webinar. “I think it’s a perfect way for…
Where MGAs could find new capital as Lloyd’s limits capacity
May 8, 2021 by Greg MeckbachWith some commercial coverages becoming harder to place in the hard market, reinsurers are looking to distribute through managing general agents, Virtual Symposium B.C. attendees heard Thursday. “I had two meetings today with two separate reinsurers who are very interested…
What MGA acquisitions bring to the table for Intact
April 30, 2021 by Greg MeckbachBy acquiring managing general agents, Intact Financial Corp. gets a new stream of revenue and an opportunity to grow its commercial specialty business, says the leader of Intact’s MGA operations. When Intact acquired The Guarantee Company of North America from…
Intact unveils new brand name for MGA Frank Cowan
April 28, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIntact Financial Corp. is changing the brand name of Frank Cowan Company, the managing general agent it acquired in 2019 from Princeton Holdings. The MGA will be known as Intact Public Entities Inc. “The MGA distribution channel presents a strategic…
Why insurance overseer won’t regulate MGAs or fintechs just yet
April 22, 2021 by Greg MeckbachOntario’s insurance regulator has no plans to regulate fintechs or managing general agents in the near term. “We sort of feel like we have enough on our plates,” said Tim Bzowey, executive vice president of auto/insurance products for the Financial…
U.S.-based MGA expands into Canadian market
March 24, 2021 by Jason ContantA U.S.-based managing general agency (MGA) is expanding into the Canadian market to serve Canada’s growing logistics and cargo industry, the company announced Tuesday. Amwins Specialty Logistic Underwriters (ASLU) specializes in covering complex risk factors of the logistics and cargo…
Why MGAs are becoming attractive options for investment firms
March 18, 2021 by Jason ContantA United Kingdom-based investment firm has invested CAD$2 million into a Canadian managing general agent — and previews that there’s more to come. Arete Capital Partners announced last week that its investment in Shore Underwriting — which specializes in insurance…
Selena Fredericks, Nomadic Specialty Underwriting
March 10, 2021 by Adam MalikSelena Fredericks, Chief Operating Officer, Nomadic Specialty Underwriting She was 25 years old and fresh in the insurance industry when an inappropriate conversation took place with a male peer at an industry conference. Selena Fredericks remembers that day well. She…