Topic Operations
What the regulators’ data says about insurers and fair treatments of customers
December 10, 2020 by David GambrillCanadian P&C insurers have generally embraced the general principles of the Fair Treatment of Consumers (FTC), but the industry still has some work to do in specific benchmark areas, according to an annual statement on market conduct issued by the…
COVID’s impact on brokerage M&A: Myth versus reality
December 10, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to raise money from major banks to finance mergers and acquisitions, but well-run brokerages will still be attractive to buyers, suggests an expert in brokerage valuation. “When COVID hit, the banks…
The diversity and inclusion statement that hit home for Intact’s management team
December 9, 2020 by Jason ContantIntact Financial Corporation was holding focus groups on diversity and inclusion a few months ago, when a young manager of colour shared her experience with the insurer’s senior management. “She gave an example to us, which struck most of the…
Future workplaces
December 5, 2020 by Nick Novinger, Regional Manager (Quebec), Canadian Insurance Brokers Inc.Many brokers turned working from home into a success. What lessons can we take with us when we return to the office?
Who is funding many of these insurance mergers
December 4, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe industry continues to consolidate and pension funds are one major source of capital for insurers, a Montreal-based merger and acquisition expert observes. “One or two notable [carrier M&A] transactions per year has slowly transformed the Canadian landscape, including the…
5 must-haves for your brokerage data system
December 3, 2020 by Jason ContantBeing able to collect better data regarding sales and customer behaviour are obvious reasons to upgrade the data system at your brokerage, but there are other benefits, Vancouver-based P&C insurance consulting firm Smythe Advisory said in a blog published Tuesday.…
The best way for brokers to add talent
December 1, 2020 by Adam MalikInternal referrals made by successful employees are the top way brokerages are finding quality talent to add to their ranks, attendees of a recent webinar panel heard. When asked to discuss what strategies worked best to find talent, the three…
Aviva CEO sides with science against fruitless conjecture around climate risk
November 27, 2020 by Adam MalikAviva Canada CEO Jason Storah has no time for arguing about the validity of climate change and the threats facing the planet that are affecting the insurance industry. Instead of debates about climate change based on speculation and conjecture, he’d…
The advantage of merging insurers by telework
November 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachWhen COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic nearly nine months ago, Jean-François Chalifoux was helping to lead the merger that formed Canada’s largest mutual insurer. “I was in Montreal March 12 [2020] and at 11:00 a.m. sharp, the [National Hockey…
Trudeau expects most Canadians could be vaccinated by September 2021
November 27, 2020 by The Canadian PressPrime Minister Justin Trudeau pushed back against critics of his government’s COVID-19 vaccination plan with assurances most Canadians would be inoculated by September 2021, with a former NATO commander leading distribution. Trudeau announced Friday that Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin will lead…
The financial benefits of improving diversity and inclusion
November 26, 2020 by Jason ContantImproving diversity and inclusion (D&I) in insurance companies has a positive impact on the business above and beyond compliance and the reputation of the organization, speakers said recently at a virtual industry event. Some of the benefits include better talent…
How COVID-19 workplace risk advice has evolved
November 26, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAs the pandemic enters its ninth month, risk managers are seeing more emphasis on the length of conversations and the importance of wearing proper masks. “The key thing now is the length of contact with somebody else. Right now, if…