Segment
Brokers
How this broker’s exclusive insurer deal went pear-shaped
November 18, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA British Columbia broker that got acquired by a unit of The Co-operators Group Ltd. is in breach of contract with RSA Canada-owned Canadian Northern Shield, an Ontario court has ruled. In 2008, Vancity Insurance Services Ltd. was a brokerage…
What to consider when tempted by a ‘shiny’ tech tool
November 13, 2018 by Greg MeckbachBefore deciding whether to buy the latest and greatest technologies, a broker need to understand what problem that technology is actually going to solve, speakers said during a recent technology conference. “A lot of people are trying to sprinkle insurtech…
Large commercial brokerage reports ‘stealth’ firming in casualty lines
November 13, 2018 by Jason ContantA recent report from commercial brokerage Willis Towers Watson has confirmed what Canada’s largest insurer is saying: the commercial insurance market is showing signs of firming as casualty losses mount. “The seemingly ‘stealth’ firming within the casualty market comes as…
Three ways to improve document management
November 9, 2018 by Greg MeckbachBrokers moving towards a paperless office should watch how much time their staff spend scanning documents. “There is a big difference between scanning for personal use and scanning for business,” said Steve Oblin, senior marketing manager for Fujitsu Canada Inc.’s…
Hub acquires two western-Canadian brokerages
November 9, 2018 by Jason ContantGlobal insurance brokerage Hub International announced this week it has acquired the assets of two western-Canadian brokerages. Hub acquired on Wednesday the assets of Tri-Line Agencies Inc., a full-service, independent brokerage headquartered in Rose Valley, Sask. Tri-Line Agencies offers personal…
What brokers should know about Emergency Preparedness [podcast]
November 9, 2018 Canadian UnderwriterWhen entrepreneurs and executives lie awake at night worrying about their businesses, they’re usually concerned with competitive threats. There’s always someone out there planning to disrupt their industry, court their customers or poach their employees. They should be worried. But…
JLT shareholders approve merger with Marsh & McLennan
November 8, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA US$6-billion deal that could form the world’s largest commercial brokerage is one step closer to reality. Britain’s Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc announced Wednesday that 99.9% of its shareholders voted in favour of having JLT acquired by Marsh &…
The ‘big area of inefficiency’ for brokers
November 8, 2018 by Greg MeckbachThe holy grail for brokers, of having their computers talk directly to carriers’ computers, is “going to happen,” an InsurTechTO speaker suggested Wednesday. “The big area of inefficiency is still duplicate entry,” Michael Loeters, senior vice president of commercial insurance…
Condo deductibles need to be clearer: provincial regulator
November 6, 2018 by Jason ContantProposed regulations on deductibles for condominium insurance in Quebec need to be clear, affordable and consider the number of units in the building, the province’s self-regulatory body for brokers, agents and claims adjusters said Monday. “The government is saying, ‘Well,…
Navacord continues to expand its construction practice with latest partnership
November 5, 2018 by Jason ContantEffective Nov. 1, commercial brokerage Navacord Corp. continued to expand its construction practice with the addition of Westmount Guarantee Services Inc. as a broker partner. Founded in 2011, Markham, Ont.-based Westmount Guarantee provides Tarion bonds (developers’ surety), condominium deposit insurance…
Top 10 Under 40, 2018: Andrew Coburn, Coburn Insurance
November 5, 2018 Brooke SmithWho are the brightest young talents in Canadian P&C today? Each year, Canadian Insurance Top Broker magazine (recently acquired by CU) answers that question with its Top 10 Under 40. Meet the other winners here, and don’t forget to pick…
Pollution Protection
November 3, 2018 Brooke SmithPollution claims can be spectacularly damaging when they happen, and they are often excluded from CGL commercial insurance policies. So why aren’t more contractors buying environmental insurance, and how can brokers reverse the trend?