Topic Operations
The tough question for insurers withdrawing coverage from coal
October 14, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe industry’s concern over carbon emissions, and their impact on climate change, raises the question of whether nuclear energy is better for the environment. “One the one hand, nuclear [energy] is a source of carbon-free power generation. On the other…
The business case for diversity and inclusion at a brokerage
October 9, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf you truly want to connect with your customers, your organization must be diverse, an industry consultant suggests. “There is room for improvement in corporate Canada, not just in property and casualty insurance, in ensuring women, visible minorities and people…
Are you burned out and mentally strained? The club is growing
October 8, 2020 by Adam MalikEmployees across Canada are feeling more burned out now than they were a year ago, according to one survey, while other reports highlight mental health challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on. Professionals report that they are drowning in work…
How you can cut down time spent searching underwriting manuals
October 5, 2020 by Greg MeckbachSome brokerage staff members could be spending hours each day just searching for information in their carriers’ underwriting manuals – time that could be put to better use, the head of a technology vendor suggests. Some of the longest underwriting…
We need to talk…
October 4, 2020 by David Gambrill, Editor in ChiefBased on recent consumer research and brokers surveys, Canadian Underwriter has identified three crucial topics of conversation to help brokers forge stronger bonds with their clients
‘We have a lot of work to do’
October 3, 2020 by Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorHow can the Canadian P&C industry ensure its workplaces reflect the communities they serve? We asked senior industry executives what can be done to make sure everyone feels respected and valued, regardless of demographic factors such as gender, skin colour, sexual orientation or gender identity. Here’s what they told us….
Doubling down on specialty
October 2, 2020 by Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorBernard McNulty, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty’s new chief agent for Canada, explains the impact of the pandemic and what changes may be in store
Brokerage M&A roundup: Westland and BrokerTeam announce deals
October 2, 2020 by Greg MeckbachWestland Insurance Group and BrokerTeam Group have both announced separate deals this past week. Westland Insurance Group Ltd. acquired two Alberta brokerages, effective Oct. 1. Surrey, B.C.-based Westland announced Friday it closed the acquisition of Carstairs, Alta.-based Ironside Insurance Brokers…
What the insurance industry wants from its tech vendors
September 30, 2020 by Jason ContantThe insurance industry wants technology vendor incumbents to become more innovative, but also limit the number of products to maintain and buy, according to the CEO of Applied Systems. “We did a lot of end-market survey work over the last…
How insurers are shifting investment strategies amid the pandemic
September 30, 2020 by Greg MeckbachChanging the mix of real estate portfolios, selling international exposures and considering increasing insurance prices are among the measures Canadian insurers are taking to compensate for the impact of COVID-19 on investment results. Intact Financial Corp.’s investment portfolio turns over…
How long will it take to get out of this hard market?
September 28, 2020 by Adam MalikAfter setting aside as to whether or not we’re in a hard market, industry consultant Phil Cook said he expects the hard market to last into 2022. Cook, who is also chairman of Omega Insurance Holdings, typically gives his Industry…
The pandemic-induced change Intact says has ‘proven to work’
September 28, 2020 by Greg MeckbachInsurers who sent most of their employees home to work have demonstrated remote access can indeed work — and even offer co-workers an opportunity to get to know each other’s families better — but it may be challenging over the…