For the first time in two decades, insurance company websites in the United States have become a more popular place for consumers to buy their auto insurance than through the broker channel, a U.S. auto insurance consumer satisfaction study has…
Canada’s federally-regulated property and casualty insurers appear to be getting a handle on their property lines claims ratios, although auto lines are still in trouble, according to third-quarter industry results released by the country’s solvency regulator, the Office of the…
Are you a personal lines specialist who is attracted by the allure of working in commercial lines? You’re not alone. “I think a lot of people often say, ‘Well, I’m in personal lines and I aspire to commercial because it’s…
An Uber-style platform to expedite home and auto claims appraisals has made its way into Canada. Offered by WeGoLook, the online and mobile sharing-economy platform provides personalized, onsite data capture for inspections and low-complexity services across the United States. Now…
AIG Canada is pulling out of writing personal lines business in Canada. AIG communications director Lynn Woodburn confirmed to Canadian Underwriter Wednesday evening that it would no longer underwrite new policies in personal lines. This confirmed speculation among brokers that…
New research out of the United States assessing 600 start-ups identified as relevant for personal lines insurers indicates these new players may fail, but they are having a tangible impact on the p&c insurance industry and how it delivers services,…
Augmented and virtual reality each boast considerable potential for impact within the insurance industry, with implications spanning risk mitigation, improved efficiency and loss ratios and enhanced customer service, Novarica said in a new executive brief. While their effect will be…
Credit rating activity for the United States’ property and casualty industry in the first half of 2017 was favourable, with upgrades outpacing downgrades, A.M. Best Company reported on Thursday. Nearly one-third of the 2017 upgrades were driven by “increased parental…
Toronto-based Echelon Financial Holdings Inc. has reported a combined operating ratio of 93.5% for the second quarter of 2017 ending June 30, a 4.2 point improvement from 97.7% in Q2 2016, driven by strong results in personal auto and commercial…
Chicago, Ill.-based Hub International Limited announced on Monday that Hub Quebec has purchased “certain assets” from Patrice Varin, through a corporation held by him. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Varin will join Hub Quebec, bringing with him a…
Economical Insurance reported a 12.8% increase in gross written premiums (GWP) in the second quarter of 2017 to $660.6 million, driven by strong personal lines growth, including contributions from Sonnet and Petline. “While we generated significant growth in gross written…
Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG) announced late Thursday that it has “extended its investment in Canada and further diversified it geographic presence” with the acquisition of retail insurance broker GPL Assurance Inc. in Quebec. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Established…