Topic Operations
Hybrid office: Centre for collaboration, or inefficiency?
November 13, 2023 by David GambrillCanadian property and casualty insurance professionals generally believe they work more efficiently in a hybrid office than at home — although some of this depends how you define workplace “distractions” in a sales culture. In an online survey conducted last…
BrokerLink completes triple acquisition
November 13, 2023 by Jason ContantBrokerLink has expanded its well-established footprint in the Greater Toronto Area with the acquisition of brokerages All-Risks Insurance (Burlington), Dowhaniuk Insurance and Heinsoo Insurance. BrokerLink announced Monday it completed the asset acquisition of Solutions Financial PCC Inc., operating as All-Risks…
Why “hotel” offices are not making P&C employees feel at home
November 10, 2023 by David GambrillHotel workspaces may be the rage in hybrid offices, but many Canadian P&C insurance industry employees say they don’t feel at home in the new digs. Hotelling is a shared workspace model where an employee reserves a desk or room…
What today’s P&C hybrid office looks like, post-COVID
November 8, 2023 by David GambrillHybrid workplaces in the Canadian property and casualty insurance industry haven’t changed all that much since the pandemic receded from media headlines 17 months ago. And generally speaking, P&C professionals seem satisfied with their current hybrid arrangements. Canadian Underwriter surveyed more…
How deliberate, diverse recruiting can fill brokers’ talent gaps
November 8, 2023 by Alyssa Di SabatinoProperty and casualty (P&C) brokerages continue to report trouble finding qualified new recruits. That’s led many in the P&C insurance industry to suggest firms widen the hiring lens and open recruitment to a more diverse range of candidates. It seems…
What P&C brokerage buyers are really looking for
November 8, 2023 by Jason ContantBuyers of Canadian P&C brokerages are becoming more selective about the brokerages they will pursue, with an increase in demand for commercial lines-focused brokerages, a new report from advisory firm Smythe LLP says. P&C consolidators continue to diversify their acquisitions,…
Behind the scenes of Hub’s latest Canadian acquisition
November 6, 2023 by Jason ContantIn a bid to shore up its personal and commercial insurance capabilities, Hub International Limited has acquired the assets of Quebec-based D’Onofrio Insurance Inc. Located in Laval, Que., D’Onofrio Insurance is an independent brokerage offering personal and commercial insurance to…
MPI labour dispute ends, as union ratifies deal
November 1, 2023 by David GambrillManitoba Public Insurance (MPI) will resume full service Friday, after its union employees voted in favour of a deal that ends a long labour dispute with the public insurer. The new deal ends a 10-week-long job action by members of…
Why McFarlan Rowlands decided to sell
October 27, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoA desire for scale, coupled with a rapid succession of shareholder retirements, compelled McFarlan Rowlands to sell to a subsidiary of Definity earlier this year, a senior exec told the Insurance Brokers’ Association of Ontario’s annual convention in Toronto. …
How Northbridge beat the taxman
October 26, 2023 by David GambrillNorthbridge is allowed to claim GST input tax credits for insurance policies it issued to trucking companies operating in both Canada and the United States, the Federal Court of Appeal has ruled. The decision overturned a Tax Court of Canada…
Make sure your talent recruiter is licensed — or else!
October 25, 2023 by David GambrillIf your Ontario P&C business is using a recruiter or temporary staffing organization to find talent, make sure they’re licensed as of Jan. 1, 2024. Otherwise, you may be subject to a hefty fine in the New Year. As of…
Insurance Institute names new board leader
October 24, 2023 by Canadian Underwriter StaffValérie Lavoie is now head of the Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC)’s board of governors. The Insurance Institute is the educational arm of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. IIC is charged with setting professional standards for the industry…