Topic Operations
The ‘new normal’ workplace that could be coming your way
September 11, 2020 by Adam MalikWhile a rating agency complimented the property and casualty insurance space for pivoting its work environment from the office to employee homes, a new workplace survey has found that Canadian employees are looking for greater flexibility in choosing where they…
How brokerage buyers are reacting to COVID market conditions
September 11, 2020 by Jason ContantDemand for Canadian property and casualty insurance brokerages remains strong during the COVID-19 pandemic, but potential brokerage purchasers are becoming more targeted in their approach, a P&C transaction advisor observed. “For most potential transactions, the list of potential purchasers has…
Why your clients aren’t feeling too good these days
September 9, 2020 by Adam MalikWhether it’s your personal or commercial clients, neither are feeling too optimistic about their financial situation as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to stress them out, a pair of recent surveys have found. But the head of the national broker association…
Thinking of selling your brokerage during COVID-19? Here’s how to proceed
September 8, 2020 by Jason ContantCanadian brokers considering an upcoming merger or acquisition may understandably be concerned given the economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but one property and casualty brokerage M&A expert says his firm’s advice is the same as it’s always been. “That…
National broker association appoints new broker connectivity lead
September 4, 2020 by Jason ContantThe Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) has announced the appointment of Tom Reid as the new broker connectivity lead for the association’s Data Exchange (DX) project. “Broker connectivity is a key priority for IBAC, and the pandemic has intensified…
How Gallagher prepares clients for D&O rate increases
September 4, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf your clients are going to be hit with rate increases and major changes in terms and conditions to their directors’ and officers’ (D&O) liability policies, you might want to give them some advance warning. “We tend to prepare early…
Communicating during COVID: What industry employees want to hear from their leaders
September 3, 2020 by David GambrillOkay, so it appears the pandemic crisis will be with us for a long time, with P&C organization employees already feeling uneasy, worn down, and uncertain about many things — their health, job security, sending kids back to school safely,…
Behind the scenes of Hub’s latest Canadian acquisition
September 2, 2020 by Jason ContantHub announced the acquisition of Grande Prairie, Alta.-based Elevate Insurance Brokers Wednesday. Elevate is a locally-owned, independent full-service brokerage that provides home, auto, recreational vehicle and business insurance. Elevate Insurance president Pierce Krol and partner Otilja Majewski will join Hub…
Where this industry veteran landed soon after announcing retirement
August 31, 2020 by Jason ContantOne week after retiring as president and chief operating officer of Pembridge and Pafco insurance companies, 40-year industry veteran J.R. (Bob) Tisdale has joined the board of the independent adjusting firm CRU Group. Gary Winston, founder and chair of the…
Adjusting Calgary’s hailstorm: The rationale for bringing in U.S. Cat adjusters
August 28, 2020 by Greg MeckbachDuring the hail storm this past June that damaged tens of thousands of Alberta homes, adjusting firm CRU Group struggled to find enough qualified independent catastrophe adjusters in Canada, and wound up resorting to bringing in people from the United…
How Fairfax is addressing anti-Black racism
August 28, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe corporate parent of Northbridge Insurance has formed its own anti-racism committee and joined a new Canadian organization that aims to create opportunities for visible minorities and indigenous people in the industry. “We have formed a Black Initiatives Action Committee,”…
Court rules against The Co-operators in hit-and-run scooter accident
August 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAn Ontario court has ruled against an insurer’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit in which an argument was made that the woman on the receiving end of a hit-and-run could have reasonably done more to get the driver’s information. In…