News
Glenn Williams appointed president and CEO of Western Financial Insurance Company
January 23, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterGlenn Williams has been appointed president and CEO of Western Financial Insurance Company (WFIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Western and Canada’s oldest and largest provider of pet insurance under the Petsecure brand. The appointment was effective Jan. 20, 2012.…
SGI Canada and Policy Works offer brokers option of portfolio download
January 23, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterSGI Canada and Policy Works have teamed up to offer brokers the option of portfolio download. SGI Canada brokers using Policy Works Commercial Management System are now able to download all current business, such as new applications and renewals, through…
First insurer in priority dispute cannot claim an application for benefits is not “completed” if its search for missing information is not diligent: court
January 20, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Ontario Court of Appeal has found that in a priority dispute between insurers, the first insurer to receive a claim for accident benefits cannot claim it did not receive a “completed application” if it was not diligent in investigating…
Industry’s 2011 Q3 results prove to be a “mixed bag” once again: MSA/Baron Outlook Report
January 20, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterIndustry results for 2011 Q3 “proved to be a mixed bag once again,” Garreth Elston writes in the Q3-2011 edition of the MSA/Baron Outlook Report.“The overall P&C industry is still experiencing a turbulent period, and it appears that gains made…
Raising rate and lowering profit targets not the answer to Ontario auto issues
January 20, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterRaising Ontario’s auto insurance rates or getting insurers to lower profit targets will not solve the fundamental issues in Ontario’s auto insurance system – a fraud-riddled system that has consumers paying the highest rates in Canada, wrote Barb Addie, president…
Ontario Court of Appeal recognizes invasion of privacy as a common law tort
January 20, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Ontario Court of Appeal has recognized the invasion of a person’s privacy as a common law tort, and not just an infraction under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) In Jones v. Tsige, the appellant, Sandra…
Gary McMillan to retire from Chartis (Canada)
January 19, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterGary McMillan is retiring from Chartis (Canada) in February 2012.McMillan has agreed to remain as a non-executive chairman of Chartis’s board of directors.His career with AIG began 36 years ago, in 1976, when the Commerce and Industry Insurance Company of…
Traffic Injury Research Foundation to further study female drunk drivers
January 19, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) will conduct a follow-up study to its recent report on female drunk drivers.TIRF released a report in December 2011 that found the number of women in the United States arrested for driving while intoxicated…
Law intended to help enforce graduated licencing programs falls flat: IIHS
January 19, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterA New Jersey law intended to help police officers enforce graduated licence requirements has failed to lead to better compliance with the restrictions, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study has found. Since May 1, 2010, New Jersey has…
Insurance companies turning down increasing number of requests for assessment and treatment of auto injuries: health care providers
January 19, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterInsurance companies in Ontario are now turning down an increasing percentage of requests for the assessment and treatment of serious (non-minor) injuries sustained by motor vehicle accident victims, according to a survey of Ontario rehabilitation providers.The Alliance of Community Medical…
Aviva Canada launches corporate social media strategy
January 19, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterAviva Canada is launching a corporate social media strategy that includes a presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and a blog. The insurer’s Aviva Community Fund garnered 36,000 Facebook ‘likes’ and 3,600 Twitter followers since 2009, when the campaign was launched.…
CARSTAR Canada launches best practices program
January 19, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterCARSTAR Automotive Canada Inc. is launching a best practices program for its franchisees. The aim of the program Innovation Through Cultivation is to “foster innovation from the ground up and build upon best practices that are currently in operation at…