News
What’s New: In Brief (February 19, 2009)
February 19, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterThe shareholders of Northbridge Financial Corporation (TSX: NB) have approved by a special resolution the anticipated amalgamation of Northbridge with Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (TSX: FFH)(NYSE: FFH).The amalgamation will be effective on or around Feb. 20, 2009.Northbridge will effectively become…
Fitch to focus on liquidity
February 19, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterFitch Ratings is focussing more on liquidity in its insurance industry ratings criteria in light of the global recession and capital market crisis. Although Fitch has not changed its core ratings criteria, it has adjusted the focus and weighting of…
A.M. Best ratings actions slow in market turmoil
February 19, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterUpgrades of U.S. property and casualty insurers by A.M. Best Co. barely outpaced downgrades in 2008, following two years in which the numbers tilted heavily in a positive direction.In its special report, Ratings Actions Slow Down as Turmoil Grips P&C…
What’s New: In Brief (February 18, 2009)
February 18, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterAlan L. Austin has joined the Vancouver branch of Kernaghan Adjusters. Austin’s expertise includes large transportation claims in both Canada and the United States. He has also adjusted large complex property losses, professional liability matters (including broker E&O) and larger…
What’s New: In Brief (February 18, 2009)
February 18, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterParis Re saw its Jan.1 renewal premium drop by about 13% to US$583 million of premium written (based on constant exchange rates). “The 2009 renewals brought about a turn in the market’s direction, with Paris Re continuing to focus on…
Insurer’s challenge of privacy commissioner’s authority should go to federal court, provincial court rules
February 18, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterAn insurance company seeking to challenge the authority of Canada’s privacy legislation and the privacy commissioner in an auto injury case will have to go to the Federal Court to make its case, the New Brunswick Court of Appeal has…
P/C insurance pricing in the United States to hit bottom of the trough in 2009: Marsh
February 18, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterProperty and casualty insurance pricing in the United States is expected to hit the bottom of the trough in the first two quarters of 2009, with flat pricing for renewals being the norm.“In the second quarter or second half of…
ICBC’s Top Five Frauds of 2008
February 17, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s (ICBC) Special Investigations Unit investigated 2,800 cases of fraud and obtained 54 convictions in 2008. “We estimate fraud and exaggeration costs each of our 3.1 million customers in the range of $100 to $150…
What’s New: In Brief (February 17, 2009)
February 17, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterIf Alberta’s Court of Appeal reinstates the province’s cap on minor injuries, the total amount recoverable will be adjusted by 3.8% to Cdn$4,504 as of Jan.1, 2009. When Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Neil Wittmann struck down the minor…
Functional capacity tests should replicate working conditions as closely as possible
February 17, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterClaims professionals should be aware of the limitations of Functional Capacity Examinations (FCEs), the protocols of which aren’t necessarily conclusive in determining whether or not people with physical injuries will be able to return to work.Elizabeth Chapman, a kinesiologist who…
Canadian P&C industry must return to basics to succeed in recession
February 17, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterIf members of the insurance industry are going to survive the hard market in an economic downturn, they must go back to basics, said Bob Tisdale, president and chief operating officer of Pembridge Insurance.Tisdale spoke at the Insurance Brokers of…
Brokers should heed FSCO reminder: RIBO
February 13, 2009 by Canadian UnderwriterOntario’s broker regulator has issued a bulletin to the province’s brokers, saying that although the rules prohibiting credit scoring for the purpose of underwriting insurance are primarily aimed at insurance companies, the issue nevertheless affects the day-to-day business activities of…