Topic Operations
Ex-broker suspended for misusing client’s credit card
March 13, 2024 by David GambrillA former B.C. broker has been suspended for three years after making unauthorized purchases on a client’s credit card, the Insurance Council of B.C. has ruled. The province’s broker regulator ordered the suspension in February 2024, after finding that Maninder…
Staying on the right side of Quebec’s language law, Bill 96
March 7, 2024 by David GambrillCanada’s property and casualty insurance industry is advised to establish a policy and train employees to comply with Bill 96, Quebec’s French language law, which calls for all policy contracts with clients in the province to be done in French…
How Aviva Canada fared in 2023
March 7, 2024 by Jason ContantAviva Canada ended 2023 with an undiscounted combined operating ratio (COR) of 95.3% and double-digit growth in gross written premiums, despite challenging market conditions that included increased weather-related losses and heightened auto theft. The undiscounted ratio for 2023 was up…
How to use your brokerage’s data to gain and retain clients
March 4, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoFinding ways to harness your brokerage’s data can improve customers’ expectations and overall satisfaction rates, two brokerage heads shared at the Insurance Canada Technology Forum in Toronto. For example, brokerages tracking and taking action on their internal metrics will…
Vehicle warranties: Auto insurers don’t owe premium tax on dealer’s fees
February 29, 2024 by David GambrillAn insurer doesn’t owe provincial premium tax on auto dealer’s fees charged for vehicle equipment warranties, the Supreme Court of B.C. has ruled. Vehicle equipment warranties are commonly sold at auto dealerships. Customers pay for vehicle warranty policies as part…
Navacord’s first deal of the year
February 29, 2024 by Jason ContantCommercial insurance brokerage Navacord Corp. has completed its first transaction of the year with a partnership with Winnipeg-based Avant Insurance. Announced Wednesday, the deal with the personal and commercial lines brokerage was effective Feb. 1. Navacord said in a press…
How industry professionals are tackling talent recruitment
February 28, 2024 by Jason ContantCanada’s P&C insurance industry is looking at everything from career fast-track programs to scholarships and student involvement programs to handle talent recruitment challenges. Recruitment has long been an industry challenge. In late January, the Insurance Institute of Canada, the industry’s…
Why brokers are embracing the ‘bots
February 27, 2024 by Jason ContantRobotic process automation (RPA) used to automate brokers’ repetitive tasks has become a much more mainstream technology over the past year or two, the co-founder of software robot tech company Quandri told Canadian Underwriter in an interview. “A couple of…
Employees may dig their heels in on hybrid work
February 22, 2024 by Alyssa Di SabatinoWorking five days a week in an insurance office is a thing of the past, industry experts are saying. But P&C industry leaders are still debating whether client experience, workplace culture, and productivity gels with a hybrid work model. “Within…
PE-driven M&A is slowing, despite record deals in 2023
February 20, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoDespite some consolidators slowing their pace — namely, private equity firms — Canadian insurance brokerage M&A reached a record level of deals in 2023. There were 108 publicly announced deals last year, Smythe LLP, a P&C insurance advisory and consulting…
Making clients valuable to your brokerage for the long term
February 15, 2024 by Adam MitchellWhen it comes to ensuring clients have the right products and coverage levels, life insurance brokers are doing things much better than personal lines brokers. But there’s no reason the P&C industry can’t operate at that level. You can’t sell…
Why you need to know the limits of your underwriting models
February 13, 2024 by Jason ContantVendors of underwriting models need to be transparent about the models’ limitations so underwriters and actuaries can understand where these limits could come into play, a speaker said last week at the CatIQ Connect conference in Toronto. Every single data…