What’s New: In brief (November 22, 2005)

The insurance industry is sponsoring Operation Red Nose in Ontario, Alberta and the Atlantic provinces this year. The popular program offers a volunteer designated driver service for holiday revelers while raising money for charity (The service is free, but donations are accepted). “It’s a natural extension of our industry’s long-standing commitment to road safety” Mark Yakabuski, vice-president, federal affairs and Ontario, Insurance Bureau of Canada, says. The program commences in December and will continue through much of the holiday season. Ontario Safety League President and General Manager, Brian Patterson says, “Operation Red Nose provides a way for holiday revelers, who don’t feel fit to drive, to get themselves — and their cars — home safely.” Patterson explains that motorists who call Operation Red Nose are picked up by a team of three volunteers in an escort car, and then driven in their own vehicle to the destination of their choice. He continues to explain that the escort car tags along and, at the end of the trip, drives the volunteer team to pick up other clients or back to the local headquarters. In addition to contributing $29,000 to the Ontario program during the first year, Canada’s home, car and business insurers are supporting Operation Red Nose by raising public awareness, mobilizing volunteer drivers from the insurance industry, coordinating dispatch centers, and providing insurance coverage for volunteers. The Operation Red Nose sponsorship is part of the “Be Smart. Be Safe” campaign, a nationwide injury prevention program announced by Canada’s home, car and business insurers earlier this fall.

FM Global’s commitment to preventing loss has been highlighted in two recent publications. FM Global’s CEO Shivan Subramaniam’s writing about the importance of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and its impact on a company’s financial health in The Conference Board’s Executive Action Reports is the text being featured. FM Global’s coverage concerning why they believe most wind damage from future Katrinas can be prevented is also being highlighted in the press.