Topic Operations
Brokers cut insurers some slack during the pandemic
May 11, 2021 by David GambrillBrokers appear to be cutting their insurer partners a bit of slack during the pandemic, with more brokers agreeing this year that insurers are striking a fair balance between the interests of carriers and brokers. Over the past three years,…
Brokerages will need these new skill sets
May 10, 2021 by Greg MeckbachTo compete in a digital world, the insurance industry needs to hire data scientists and computer programmers, Virtual Symposium B.C. attendees heard last week. “Every insurance organization is going to look at new roles that they never had before,” said…
Want a level playing field between tech and insurance? How open banking might help
May 8, 2021 by Greg MeckbachOpen banking rules could help create a level playing field between technology companies and the insurance industry, speakers suggested at a recent virtual conference. Bringing in “consumer-directed finance” will help consumers benefit from a broader range of financial products and…
Mutual insurer group expands with addition of Ontario brokerage
May 5, 2021 by Jason ContantCollectivfide Insurance Group Inc. has finalized the acquisition of Barrie, Ont.-based multiline broker RK Mooney Insurance Brokers Ltd., the fourth brokerage acquisition for Collectivfide, a company formed in 2019. Collectivfide’s shareholders represent mutual insurers in Ontario and across Canada. Although…
How insurers could centralize consumer data — and why they might not
May 5, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe industry could potentially evolve towards an “open insurance strategy,” similar in concept to open banking, whereby consumers allow third parties access to their insurance data, an insurtech CEO suggests. In Europe, open banking gives consumers access to their banking…
Fairfax takes a stand against using COVID as a reason to fire staff
May 3, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe parent company of Northbridge Insurance took a stand against cutting staff due to the pandemic. “One of the things we did last year is we said [to the president of each Fairfax-owned insurer], ‘You cannot use COVID-19 as a…
6 tips for growing your sales team
May 3, 2021 by Jason ContantGrowing your sales team involves a variety of tactics — including protecting your strengths (strong salespeople and existing customers) — and avoiding the “first-year turnover problem,” says a new blog from Harvard Business Review. Organizations need to be purposeful about…
How insurers are faring as IFRS 17 transition looms
April 29, 2021 by Jason ContantAs the transition date for the new insurance accounting standard IFRS 17 approaches in January 2022, insurers are split on whether or not to use dedicated staff for implementation. A recent study of about 25 insurance clients of PwC found…
Preparing for the new work normal? Don’t move too quickly…
April 28, 2021 by Adam MalikDeciding to shift your workforce to be more weighted towards a work-from-home environment isn’t as easy as flicking a switch for brokerages and insurance companies, P&C experts on a recent web panel warned. There needs to be real thought put…
Where insurers stand on OSFI’s reinsurance rules
April 28, 2021 by Jason ContantAlthough proposed draft reinsurance rules from the federal solvency regulator have not been finalized, the president and CEO of Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is indicating that the regulator and Canadian P&C insurers may be bridging the gap. “I take…
Brian Parsons joins BFL Canada from Willis Towers Watson
April 27, 2021 by Jason ContantBFL Canada announced Tuesday it has appointed Brian Parsons as its new president of BFL Canada’s national risk management division. The large commercial brokerage said in a press release Tuesday that it will also announce new appointments in its risk…
InsurTech North speaker: What may work for desktop may not work for mobile
April 23, 2021 by Greg MeckbachWhen it comes to shopping for insurance online, the consumer experience will vary across platforms, something that isn’t always discussed when the industry talks about digitizing its customer experience. The matter came up recently during ‘Key Touchpoints in the Customer…