Segment
Brokers
Will the need for social interaction make the hybrid office a passing fad?
April 21, 2021 by David GambrillWhile many Canadian employees wish to return to a hybrid office — some adamantly so, according to a recent survey by human resources firm Robert Half — some believe the “fear of missing out” on the opportunity to socialize with…
5 ways brokers are playing in the online distribution space
April 21, 2021 by Jason ContantSmall and medium-sized brokerages are increasingly getting into the digital game, while larger brokerages are acquiring or partnering with insurtech-focused companies, according to an industry observer. “At Smythe Advisory, we are increasingly seeing innovative use of technology that is either…
The limits of data collection: Making a case for pounding the pavement
April 20, 2021 by Jason ContantTo provide an excellent customer experience for your clients, data can only take you so far, the digital director of a brokerage said recently during the CIP Society Symposium’s virtual conference. Sometimes brokers simply have to hit the pavement to…
How to build empathetic managers for the hybrid workplace
April 16, 2021 by David GambrillCanadian property and casualty insurance industry leaders have often talked about the importance of managing with empathy during the pandemic, but empathic managers will become even more valuable in the hybrid workplaces that are expected to emerge after the pandemic…
Inside the merger of Highcourt and Breckles
April 15, 2021 by Greg MeckbachSearch engine optimization (SEO), electronic transactions, and contracts with carriers insuring small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) are among the capabilities that made the Breckles Group of Companies attractive to Highcourt Partners. The merger of those two Canadian brokerages, resulting in…
Pandemic lockdowns make the case for pay-as-you-go commercial insurance
April 14, 2021 by David GambrillAuto insurance has introduced pay-as-you-go options for personal clients, but in the era of business shutdowns to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it seems as though commercial lines could use a similar option as well. Brokers in a LinkedIn thread…
Has the pandemic dampened brokers’ enthusiasm for referrals, new business?
April 13, 2021 by David GambrillBrokers don’t appear to be as enthusiastic about generating new business through referrals as they were before the pandemic, according to Canadian Underwriter’s 2021 National Broker Survey. In fact, brokers’ support for almost all traditional means to generate new business…
The quaint ‘killer app’ that helps brokers talk to underwriters remotely
April 13, 2021 by Greg MeckbachNot all meetings during a pandemic need to be structured around a videoconference call, commercial insurance experts said during a recent webinar. “I think we all have to be cautious about just loading up our entire agenda with Zoom calls…
Brokerage interest in M&A dips slightly in early 2021: CU survey
April 12, 2021 by David GambrillFor Canadian brokerage principals, interest in mergers and acquisitions as a growth strategy increased dramatically in September 2020, during the second wave of the pandemic, but seems to have cooled somewhat since then, according to the results of Canadian Underwriter’s…
How to bring the risk of catastrophic events home to your clients
April 9, 2021 by Jason ContantCanada’s property and casualty insurance industry needs to ramp up its public education efforts to bring the risk of catastrophic events home to the Canadian population, speakers said Thursday during the virtual CIP Society Symposium 2021. “I don’t like to…
Three large Canadian brokerages announce separate M&A deals
April 8, 2021 by Jason ContantThree large Canadian brokerages have announced recent acquisitions of other brokerages. On Thursday, Westland Insurance reported it closed its acquisition of MBS Insurance Brokers, effective Apr. 1. Navacord Corp. added LL Renaissance Insurance Brokerage Canada Limited to its ranks, while…
Brokers: pay attention to these insurance fraud ‘red flags’
April 7, 2021 by Jason ContantIf your client is trying to rush the insurance buying process or is not concerned about price, that’s often a red flag that the transaction is fraudulent, RSA told Canadian Underwriter recently. “We know the majority of customers aren’t looking…