Topic Operations
Financial burden of cybercrime in Canada remains high: IBM report
July 24, 2023 by Amanda Stephenson - THE CANADIAN PRESSCALGARY – Increased corporate awareness and a string of high-profile incidents have done little to reduce the financial burden of cybercrime in Canada, according to a new report. The average cost to companies of a cybersecurity breach in Canada as…
M&A frenzy continues with multiple deals announced
July 19, 2023 by Jason ContantCorrection: The article has been amended to show Andrew Agencies has 22 locations, not 200 as previously reported. Canadian Underwriter apologizes for the error. On the heels of separate deals that closed at the beginning of the month, large…
How new sources of capital are changing (re)insurance
July 18, 2023 by Glenn McGillivrayBack in July 2004, I wrote an article for Canadian Underwriter called ‘Our own worst enemy,’ about the mechanics of the insurance cycle. The piece explained “cyclical rate peaks and valleys in (re)insurance [i.e., primary insurance and reinsurance] markets almost…
Will markets soften after 2022’s strong performance?
July 14, 2023 by Glenn McGillivrayFor 2021, a year-in-review for the P&C industry began with the sunny news that it “was the most generally favourable for Canadian insurers in a long while.” But that same review ended with the suggestion that those rosy numbers may…
Zurich Canada names new CFO
July 11, 2023 by Jason ContantZurich 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…
Reimbursement details emerge following MPI executive’s departure
July 7, 2023 by Steve Lambert - THE CANADIAN PRESSWINNIPEG – A senior executive at a Manitoba Crown corporation was sometimes being reimbursed for travel to Winnipeg from his home in the Toronto area twice a month, figures obtained by The Canadian Press show. The newly released detailed breakdown…
Why you need to better understand data from your BMS
July 5, 2023 by Jason ContantBrokers 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…
Mitigation efforts continue at Suncor in wake of cyberattack
July 5, 2023 by The Canadian PressCALGARY – Canada’s top technical authority on cybersecurity says it is working closely with Suncor Energy Inc. in the aftermath of a high-profile systems breach at the energy giant. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security says it can’t disclose details…
Two insurance agencies rebrand as belairdirect
July 4, 2023 by Jason ContantIntact Financial Corporation subsidiary belairdirect has announced that agencies Johnson Insurance and Anthony Insurance will both rebrand as belairdirect. Beginning this fall, the car and home division of Johnson Insurance will gradually rebrand to belairdirect, with the group benefits and…
Can we predict where cyber claims might emerge?
July 4, 2023 by Philip PoradoData culled from external scanning systems and other tech tools can help insurers improve underwriting by showing where cyber claims might emerge. But only if the companies develop methods for making proper use of that data, said a recent Gallagher…
How automation is helping brokerages onboard new talent
June 30, 2023 by Jason ContantOnboarding 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…
Large Canadian brokerage now operating coast to coast
June 28, 2023 by Jason ContantEditor’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.…