What’s New: In Brief (February 14, 2007)

Nancy Ng has been appointed manager of insurance services at PPG Canada Inc.
PPG Industries is a diversified manufacturer that supplies vehicle-related products and services around the world.
In addition, PPG’s Lynx Services provides claims management solutions and handles more than 3 million claims annually.
With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG has 110 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 20 countries.
In a press release, Lee Smith, director of Refinish Canada, noted that: “Nancy brings to PPG over two decades of business development, sales and marketing expertise in the automotive industry, including close involvement in her family’s automotive repair and auto racing businesses.”
In her new role, Ng will work closely with the Canadian auto insurance industry to provide value through products, services and outsourcing options.
“The goal is to improve the collision repair process and enhance auto insurance industry network management, by utilizing state-of-the-art technology and process improvement initiatives,” the company said in a press release.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Travelers announced on Feb. 14 the launch of its Wedding Protector Plan, an insurance policy covering weddings.
More than 3,000 weddings take place every day in the United States, with the average cost now reaching US$27,000 each, Travelers notes in a release.
“A wedding is a large investment both emotionally and financially,” said Alan Tuvin, vice president of product management for Travelers. “There are a lot of moving parts to a wedding and things can go wrong. It is important to protect such a significant financial investment.”
The Wedding Protector Plan provides coverage, with no deductible, for a variety of unfortunate occurrences associated with a wedding event. Coverage is provided, for example, if a hurricane causes the necessary and unavoidable cancellation or postponement of the event.
Other coverages include postponement for withdrawal of military leave, forfeited and lost deposits, extra expenses associated with special attire, transportation, photographs, and entertainment expenses.
Travelers said the top wedding claims and problems typically include damage to wedding attire, mishaps with event photography, cancellation due to illness or bereavement, and no-shows by contracted vendors.
The Wedding Protector Plan can cover events in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Caribbean Islands (excluding Cuba and Haiti) and cruise ships leaving from a port within those territories (some restrictions apply).