News
Tobacco litigation wars continue (June 21, 2001)
June 21, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterThe U.S. attorney general, John Ashcroft, has announced his intention to seek settlement of the federal government’s pending multi-billion dollar lawsuit against the tobacco industry, which was initially launched in 1999 with the support of then U.S. president Bill Clinton.…
Calgary residents threaten property damage/personal injury claims in toxic dispute
June 21, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterResidents of Lynnview Ridge, a neighborhood located in the southeast end of Calgary, Alberta, are demanding answers from the city with regard to an ongoing investigation into possible toxic contamination of the residential area. Soil tests released in mid-May of…
A.M. Best issues "excellent ratings"
June 20, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterRating agency A.M. Best has issued a financial strength rating of "A" (excellent) for CGU Insurance Co. of Canada and a rating of "A-" (excellent) to group subsidiaries Scottish & York Insurance Co., and Traders General Insurance Co. The rating…
Tornado rips through Quebec
June 20, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterA tornado struck Quebec’s Lac-St-Jean area last night, causing damage to approximately 15 houses without any personal injuries resulting. St-Gedeon, which is located north of Quebec City, is reported to having suffered the most damage with downed power poles and…
Allstate sells European auto business
June 20, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterU.S. based insurer Allstate has announced plans to sell its European auto insurance business to London’s Direct Line, a subsidiary of The Royal Bank of Scotland. The decision to unload the German and Italian direct auto business follows Allstate’s departure…
Royal sells off life operations
June 19, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterRoyal & SunAlliance has sold its Canadian life operations to Maritime Life Assurance Company, the Canadian arm of U.S. giant John Hancock Life. Maritime has agreed to purchase all outstanding shares of R&SA Life, with the cash purchase price estimated…
CG&B adds Brampton brokerage to stable
June 19, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterToronto area insurance and financial services network CG&B Group Inc. has bought Brampton brokerage Kylie & Associates. The acquisition brings CG&B’s annual property & casualty premiums up to more than $80 million, states a company press release.While Kylie currently deals…
Dominion president calls for B.C. auto insurance deregulation by 2003
June 18, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterSpeaking at the recently held AGM of the Insurance Brokers Association of British Columbia (IBABC) in Kelowna, George Cooke of the Dominion of Canada General Insurance Co. praised the "unwavering commitment" of the province’s new premier Gordon Campbell to increase…
Hub expands U.S. presence
June 18, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterFollowing on the heels of its purchase of U.S. brokerage Kaye Group Inc., Canadian-based Hub International has picked up J.P. Flanagan Corporation. The Chicago brokerage has satellite offices in Baltimore, Cleveland, Denver and New York, and last year had annual…
Equisure securities arm sold
June 18, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterEquisure Securities Ltd., the investment arm of Equisure Financial, has been sold to IPC Financial Network. ING Canada Inc., which bought 49% of the outstanding shares in Equisure last fall, also owns 26% of the common shares of IPC.At that…
Two Vancouver-based HUB group companies merge
June 15, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterThe executive management of brokerage Parsons Brown will be merged with that of the TOS Insurance Group, according to a new statement issued by the parent company, HUB International Ltd. (TSE: HBG). Both of the HUB companies are based in…
Fight against auto theft boosted at national level
June 15, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterA national committee representing government and the private sector has been formed to battle the growing problem of vehicle theft. The new initiative, known as "Project 6116", is supported by the federal government as well as insurance industry organizations such…