Topic Trusted Advisor
The business case for diversity and inclusion at a brokerage
October 9, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf you truly want to connect with your customers, your organization must be diverse, an industry consultant suggests. “There is room for improvement in corporate Canada, not just in property and casualty insurance, in ensuring women, visible minorities and people…
We need to talk…
October 4, 2020 by David Gambrill, Editor in ChiefBased on recent consumer research and brokers surveys, Canadian Underwriter has identified three crucial topics of conversation to help brokers forge stronger bonds with their clients
The rise (and fall?) of specialization
October 1, 2020 by David Gambrill, Editor in ChiefSpecialization continues to be a major growth strategy for brokers, as our third annual National Broker Survey shows. But has the pandemic exposed the limits to specialization…?
What this insurtech says are two ways of being better than the average broker
September 28, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf you want to be better than the average brokerage, try explaining coverages through the use of examples and try not making consumers wait for days for answers, the co-founder of an insurtech advises. “Insurance can be somewhat stuffy and…
One broker’s bold prediction about contactless payment options
September 21, 2020 by Greg MeckbachConcerns over the risk of COVID-19 transmission could accelerate the changes that technology has been bringing to financial transactions, including contactless payment options, a commercial broker suggests. “Financial services are changing very quickly,” said Mark Morency, senior vice president and…
How vehicle depreciation can create E&O risk
September 21, 2020 by Greg MeckbachPersonal auto insurance brokers who don’t offer an endorsement that would limit an insurer’s right to restrict its coverage to actual cash value could be increasing their errors and omissions risk, a senior broker has cautioned. Alberta and Ontario have…
How Northbridge is advising clients to prepare for second COVID-19 wave
September 18, 2020 by Greg MeckbachOne key component of preparing for the anticipated second wave of COVID-19 cases in Canada is for businesses to assess how they responded to the first wave of the disease, Northbridge Insurance is telling its commercial clients. “Many businesses that…
Veteran brokers are seeing their first-ever hard market. What they need to know.
September 18, 2020 by Greg MeckbachBrokers with more than a decade of experience could be experiencing their first real hard market right now, and they could probably use some advice about how to break bad news during renewals, an Alberta managing general agent (MGA) suggests.…
What’s driving D&O rate increases for privately-held firms
September 11, 2020 by Greg MeckbachLawsuits from employees alleging harassment or discrimination is one reason for significant price increases in directors’ and officers’ liability rates. In Canada, commercial brokerage Gallagher is seeing an uptick in age and gender discrimination claims and workplace harassment claims under…
Why your clients aren’t feeling too good these days
September 9, 2020 by Adam MalikWhether it’s your personal or commercial clients, neither are feeling too optimistic about their financial situation as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to stress them out, a pair of recent surveys have found. But the head of the national broker association…
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…
Opinion: Expected M&A rise brings opportunities for brokers
August 27, 2020 by Ben Nelson, CFC UnderwritingTransaction liability insurance is a valuable tool for helping buyers and sellers facilitate mergers and acquisitions — and presents a significant opportunity for brokers to add value to their client offering and drive revenue growth. From humble beginnings more than…