Canadian Underwriter

Keyword
Ratings/Research


News CatastrophesInsurance

Smartphones could help predict earthquakes, journal article suggests

April 14, 2015 by Canadian Underwriter

Navigational sensors built into consumer devices such as smartphones are capable of detecting surface displacements from moderate and larger earthquakes, a new study has found. Published last week in the Science Advances journal, the research article, Crowdsourced earthquake early warning,

News Insurance

Total insurance IT spending across North America, other countries set to grow: Celent

April 9, 2015 by Canadian Underwriter

IT research and consulting firm Celent estimates that total insurance IT spending across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific will grow to US$174.9 billion in 2015, with continued growth to US$189.2 in 2017. This upward shift is above last

News Insurance

AudaVision speakers discuss customer service in omnichannel environment

April 8, 2015 Greg Meckbach, Associate Editor

Improving experience for customers is a high priority for North American insurers, but many businesses invest in technology for reasons other than customer service, speakers suggested Tuesday at AudaVision Toronto 2015. Strategy Meets Action (SMA), a Boston-based research and advisory

News InsuranceMarkets / CoveragesMergers and Aqcuisitions

Canadian commercial insurance prices in aggregate showing marginal increases since 2012, says Towers Watson survey

April 7, 2015 by Canadian Underwriter

Commercial insurance prices in aggregate have been increasing marginally for the past two years, with the 2014 fourth quarter results the highest reported since Q2 2012, according to a new survey from Towers Watson. Released to the media on Tuesday,

News Insurance

Global reinsurance industry continues to deliver solid results despite challenges: A.M. Best

April 7, 2015 by Canadian Underwriter

The global reinsurance industry managed to deliver solid results in 2014, with most companies reporting strong combined ratios and profitable returns, despite increased challenges in terms of price declines, increased commissions and tougher terms and conditions, A.M. Best Company said

News InsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Insurers pessimistic over interest rate changes: A.M. Best report

April 2, 2015 by Canadian Underwriter

Insurers have become increasingly pessimistic about the possibility of a material change in interest rates this year, suggested a study published Thursday by ratings firm A.M. Best Company Inc. The special report, titled A.M. Best Winter 2014 – 2015 Insurance

News Insurance

Big four European reinsurers “continue to be well capitalized,” A.M. Best reports

April 1, 2015 by Canadian Underwriter

Europe’s four largest reinsurers, as well as the Lloyd’s market, posted “very strong underwriting results” in 2014, but they continue to face pressure from alternative sources of capital, A.M. Best Company Inc. suggested a report released Wednesday. “The major European

Marc-Andre Giguere, National Insurance Leader, EY Canada
Feature

Custom Output

April 1, 2015 Marc-Andre Giguere, National Insurance Leader, EY Canada

In today’s data-rich environment, property and casualty insurers have an unprecedented opportunity to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, and tailor newer, more profitable offerings based on each customer’s usage and needs. The key to future profits may lie buried in the data that insurers already have.

Angela Stelmakowich, Editor
Feature

Push and Pull

April 1, 2015 Angela Stelmakowich, Editor

For those in the property and casualty insurance industry, be it broker, company or vendor, it is an oft-asked question that, once answered, is simply asked once again: What do customers want? In Canada’s ever-changing p&c environment – a place

News CatastrophesInsurance

Passenger liability claims and physical damage will comprise total insurance loss from Germanwings plane crash: A.M. Best

March 30, 2015 by Canadian Underwriter

The majority of loss arising from the Germanwings plane crash in the French Alps last week will likely be absorbed by the Lloyd’s market, as well as a number of global insurers and reinsurers, suggested a briefing from ratings firm

News Insurance

Mutuals must invest in systems, commit to a data strategy: OMIA head

March 26, 2015 Angela Stelmakowich, Editor

“Data is a major enabler in innovation in new products and markets,” demanding that mutuals commit to developing a data strategy, John Taylor, president and CEO of the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association (OMIA), said Thursday. Mutuals must continue to make

News Insurance

Intact Financial Corporation to open digital centre in May

March 24, 2015 by Canadian Underwriter

Intact Financial Corporation (IFC), Canada’s largest provider of property and casualty insurance in Canada with $7.3 billion in premiums, announced on Tuesday that it has launched Intact Lab – its centre for digital excellence. The Intact Lab will be based