Segment
Brokers
IBAO rolling out iClarify training for brokers
March 1, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario is developing and deploying educational training for brokers throughout the province with the iClarify online tool. The training will focus on the service’s methodology and how it can be used to reduce time with…
M&A activity in agent, broker space reached record high in 2012: report
February 28, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterMerger and acquisition activity among insurance agencies reached a record high in 2012, bouncing back after a few years of low activity, notes a new report. Last year, there were 291 reported transactions in the United States and Canada, according…
Restoration companies, travel insurance provider and brokerage make 50 Best Managed Companies list
February 27, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterSeveral companies in the property and casualty industry have made Deloitte’s list of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, including those in the restoration field and a brokerage company, while others requalified on the list for a consecutive year. Companies compete…
Insurers using mobile, social media to tackle customer retention problems
February 27, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterCustomer loyalty in the insurance industry is at risk, one report says, as only 30% of those included in a recent global survey reporting positive experiences with their insurers. On average, only one in three customers across 30 countries…
The Guarantee appoints new VP for specialty business aimed at high net worth individuals
February 25, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Guarantee Company of North America has appointed Marilyn Horrick as national vice president for its Guarantee GOLD business segment, which caters to high net worth individuals. In the new role, effective Feb. 19, Horrick is accountable for all aspects…
Former IBAC president MacGregor joins Avec Insurance
February 13, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterJustin MacGregor has joined Avec Insurance Managers Inc. as executive vice-president. A former executive vice president of Martin Merry and Reid Ltd., MacGregor has been both chairman and president of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC). In 2005-06, he…
Western Financial expands in Saskatchewan
February 13, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterWestern Financial Group (Western) has announced that Melfort Agencies Ltd. has joined its network of insurance brokerages effective Feb. 1, marking Western’s 23rd location in Saskatchewan. “Joining Western Financial Group was the logical choice for me as I looked for ways to…
More than 60% of U.S. insurers embracing mobile for policyholders, broker capabilities
February 11, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterMore than 60% of insurers in the United States are embracing mobile technology for policyholders or agents and brokers, suggests new survey results from research firm Novarica. The report, Mobile in Insurance Beyond Personal Lines: Current Trends and Expectations, is…
The Standards Commitment
February 1, 2013 Grant Patten, Communications Specialist, Centre for Study of Insurance OperationsBrokers and insurers can greatly benefit from standards-based systems that allow them to make the most of information technology. The consistent implementation of standards can help achieve both cost and time savings.
Automated Policy Change
February 1, 2013 David Gallagher, Vice-President, iter8 Inc.Policy changes can take up a significant amount of a broker’s workload. New technology will be needed to ensure that when a policy change is made in the broker’s software, it is updated properly in both broker and carrier systems, data is reviewed and errors are logged.
Commercially Viable
February 1, 2013 Steve Pieroway, Vice President Marketing & Client Service, Policy Works Inc.Where will technology take commercial insurance over the next 10 years? The pervasiveness of apps has clearly changed expectations of software, but what will be the effect on the broker distribution channel?
Brokerage of the Future
February 1, 2013 Colin Simpson, President & CEO, IntrinsyncIn the future, insurance clients will want to communicate with their brokers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Meanwhile, real-time policy change will make existing workflow more efficient.