Segment
MGAs
Regulator reviewing the role of MGAs in the sales process
October 2, 2019 by Jason ContantWhile Ontario’s new financial regulator will not license managing general agencies (MGAs), it is taking a look at the entire sales process as part of its insurance conduct initiatives. “I don’t have the authority to do that, so I’m not…
Is vaping liability covered?
September 30, 2019 by Jason ContantLiability surrounding vaping is being thrust into the spotlight after a London, Ont. high school student was temporarily put on life support from a suspected “severe respiratory illness” associated with smoking electronic cigarettes. “There were lawsuits many years ago to…
The state of insurers’ risk appetite one year after pot legalization
September 12, 2019 by Greg MeckbachBusiness clients in the cannabis industry are having a hard time finding some insurance coverages, A.M. Best Company Inc. warned in a report released Thursday. “Coverage available to canna-business owners remains in short supply,” A.M. Best said in its annual…
Want to do it all online? How this MGA’s portal pulls it off
August 29, 2019 by Greg MeckbachAn Ottawa-based managing general agent may be expanding its use of portal technology that lets brokers enter data from applications and bind commercial policies electronically. Encon Group Inc. pretty much did away with paper files, Encon president David Cook said…
Veteran insurance professional launches new MGA
August 23, 2019 by Jason ContantA new managing general agency (MGA) offering optional auto insurance has launched in British Columbia, with the goal of moving into homeowners’ insurance within a year. Vancouver-based Stratford Underwriting Agency is the only MGA selling the complete private passenger suite…
Why Intact execs set their sights on The Guarantee, MGA Frank Cowan
August 16, 2019 by David GambrillIntact’s proposed $1-billion acquisition of The Guarantee and the managing general agent Frank Cowan is intended to bolster the company’s strength in specialty lines – primarily in the areas of surety, public entities, and high-net worth clients, company executives said…
Corporate Headwinds
August 1, 2019 Jeff BucksteinCorporate boards in Canada face different exposures today than they did in the past. How has D&O insurance changed to help boards face these new challenges?
Here’s why insurance for social media influencers is growing
July 22, 2019 by Jason ContantMedia personality Kylie Jenner caused a stir last year when she asked on Twitter if anybody still uses messaging app Snapchat. “She’s obviously such a strong [social media] influencer that I think it was alleged that she single-handedly wrote $1.3…
New COO, EVP for Totten
May 28, 2019 by Jason ContantPaul Meinschenk has joined managing general agency (MGA) Totten Insurance Group as chief operating officer and executive vice president, effective May 31. With 18 years of experience in the insurance industry, Meinschenk was mostly recently vice president of sales and…
What hard market in liquor liability means for clients
March 11, 2019 by Greg MeckbachClients planning St. Patrick’s Day celebrations may find themselves short on luck when it comes to insurance coverage. It’s becoming more difficult for clients to get insurance for liquor-related losses with the terms they need, one managing general agent observes.…
Burns & Wilcox Canada acquires specialty MGA
March 7, 2019 by Jason ContantH.W. Kaufman Group and Burns & Wilcox Canada announced Thursday they have acquired Toronto-based TRU Transportation Risk Underwriters Ltd., a managing general agency with unique transportation expertise. TRU will become part of B&W Canada, a flagship organization of Kaufman and…
The aftermath of ‘firm action’ in Lloyd’s market
February 8, 2019 by Greg MeckbachEight Lloyds syndicates have closed and some clients insured by the London market are seeing premiums increase four-fold, the head of a major Bermuda insurer suggests. “After some firm action by Lloyd’s in (2018), we saw the closure of eight…