News

Ontario auto rates are on their way up, as insurance companies attempt to make up for escalating claims costs seen in the Ontario auto product over the past two years.Ontario auto rate applications approved during 2008 Q2 averaged +1.10%, based…

The Shumka Group has acquired the property and casualty insurance claims and risk management services from CGI Group Inc. The transaction will create the largest independent insurance services company in Canada, according to a Shumka Group release. Expected to close…

The Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR) is recommending insurers’ self-audits be considered privileged information that can’t be used against the insurance company in a civil or administrative proceeding (except if that proceeding is against a regulator).The recommendations are contained…

CARSTAR Automotive Canada raised more than Cdn$80,000 for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) through its 5th annual ‘Soaps it Up!’ national car wash day.There were more than 55 car wash events across the country this year. CARSTAR volunteers, community…

Shortly after Swiss Re announced it has an exposure of approximately US$9.6 billion to U.S. mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Zurich Financial Services also announced it held US$8.3 billion in debt securities, reports MarketWatch.Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac…

Ninety-four vehicles in the ICBC’s Material Damage, Research and Training (MDR&T) Facility over the past 10 years had incorrect salvage designations (74 had improper payment codes), hiding the true status of the vehicles from the public to maximize the sale…

Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) arbitrators decide disputes concerning entitlement to and amount of motor vehicle accident benefits, but private arbitrators resolve priority of payment disputes among insurers, a FSCO arbitrator has found.In doing so, FSCO upheld changes to…

The Autorit des marches financiers (AMF) does not support the proposal by the federal minister of finance for a single securities regulator in Canada, citing the sheer size and diversity of Canada as a major hurdle in such an undertaking.…

Given the rise in fuel prices over the past few months to $1.37 and higher, ecclesiastical insurers have a new risk to manage fuel theft. Ecclesiastical Insurance has issued a public statement expressing concern that two churches in Atlantic Canada…

Kingsway Financial Services Inc. says it intends to repay outstanding debts under its US$175-million, three-year revolving facility before the end of July.The company arranged the credit facility with a syndicate of banks in June 2006. As of June 30, 2008…

Hurricane Elida is turning its eye towards Mexico’s west coast while Tropical Storm Bertha crawls towards Bermuda, reports the National Hurricane Center (NHC).Bertha was downgraded from hurricane to tropical storm status on July 13, as its winds had diminished to…

Few U.S. property and casualty insurers excel at managing through market cycles, but mid-sized insurers (surplus between US$10 million and US$100 million) seem to be better at it than their small and larger-sized counterparts, a special report by A.M. Best…