Topic Operations
Thinking of selling your brokerage during COVID-19? Here’s how to proceed
September 8, 2020 by Jason ContantCanadian brokers considering an upcoming merger or acquisition may understandably be concerned given the economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but one property and casualty brokerage M&A expert says his firm’s advice is the same as it’s always been. “That…
National broker association appoints new broker connectivity lead
September 4, 2020 by Jason ContantThe Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) has announced the appointment of Tom Reid as the new broker connectivity lead for the association’s Data Exchange (DX) project. “Broker connectivity is a key priority for IBAC, and the pandemic has intensified…
How Gallagher prepares clients for D&O rate increases
September 4, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf your clients are going to be hit with rate increases and major changes in terms and conditions to their directors’ and officers’ (D&O) liability policies, you might want to give them some advance warning. “We tend to prepare early…
Communicating during COVID: What industry employees want to hear from their leaders
September 3, 2020 by David GambrillOkay, so it appears the pandemic crisis will be with us for a long time, with P&C organization employees already feeling uneasy, worn down, and uncertain about many things — their health, job security, sending kids back to school safely,…
Behind the scenes of Hub’s latest Canadian acquisition
September 2, 2020 by Jason ContantHub announced the acquisition of Grande Prairie, Alta.-based Elevate Insurance Brokers Wednesday. Elevate is a locally-owned, independent full-service brokerage that provides home, auto, recreational vehicle and business insurance. Elevate Insurance president Pierce Krol and partner Otilja Majewski will join Hub…
Where this industry veteran landed soon after announcing retirement
August 31, 2020 by Jason ContantOne week after retiring as president and chief operating officer of Pembridge and Pafco insurance companies, 40-year industry veteran J.R. (Bob) Tisdale has joined the board of the independent adjusting firm CRU Group. Gary Winston, founder and chair of the…
Adjusting Calgary’s hailstorm: The rationale for bringing in U.S. Cat adjusters
August 28, 2020 by Greg MeckbachDuring the hail storm this past June that damaged tens of thousands of Alberta homes, adjusting firm CRU Group struggled to find enough qualified independent catastrophe adjusters in Canada, and wound up resorting to bringing in people from the United…
How Fairfax is addressing anti-Black racism
August 28, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe corporate parent of Northbridge Insurance has formed its own anti-racism committee and joined a new Canadian organization that aims to create opportunities for visible minorities and indigenous people in the industry. “We have formed a Black Initiatives Action Committee,”…
Court rules against The Co-operators in hit-and-run scooter accident
August 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAn Ontario court has ruled against an insurer’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit in which an argument was made that the woman on the receiving end of a hit-and-run could have reasonably done more to get the driver’s information. In…
Shareholders approve Aon-Willis merger
August 26, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAon plc’s proposed acquisition of Willis Towers Watson plc was approved Wednesday by both firms’ shareholders. The merger still requires approval from competition regulators in various jurisdictions (including Canada) plus the Irish High Court. Aon and Willis Towers Watson rank…
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty names new chief agent for Canada
August 25, 2020 by Jason ContantAllianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) announced Tuesday it has appointed Bernard McNulty as chief agent for Canada, effective immediately. In addition to taking on the chief agent role, McNulty will remain in his current position as head of claims…
The impact of MGAs getting more business
August 25, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIt is taking longer to get insurance placed through managing general agents because MGAs are getting more business in the hard market, one Ontario broker suggests. Many commercial accounts, which previously would have been handled by retail brokers, are now…