Canadian Underwriter

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News BrokersEarnings / RatingsInsurance

Despite “aggressive growth goals,” insurers cautioned to keep their powder dry

April 25, 2022 by David Gambrill

Although the industry achieved a highwater mark financial result in 2021, industry executives are cautioning insurers to keep their powder dry and not reduce pricing drastically to grow market share. “I just look through the windscreen, all the things coming

Bear having a look out of his cave
News AdjustersBrokersEmploymentInsurance

Leaving hibernation: What’s next for P&C industry?

April 21, 2022 by David Gambrill

Look for Canada’s P&C industry to fine-tune the hybrid workplace model over the next six months, as the country starts to ease pandemic restrictions, industry execs say. The tinkering will involve achieving the best balance between meeting in person with

Bombed out building in Ukraine painted in flag's colours.
News AdjustersCatastrophesClaimsCommercial LinesEngineeringInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesReinsuranceRestorationRisk

Ukraine war insured losses could outstrip 9-11

April 20, 2022 Philip Porado

When adjusters are finally able to assess the damage stemming from the war in Ukraine, costs may exceed the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks as the largest industry-wide insured loss, across all classes of business, in history, said a specialty

Woman is arranging wooden cubes and writing word benefits
News BrokersInsuranceProfessional Development

Employee benefits in the new era of work

April 19, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatino

About one-quarter of brokers say they are either likely or highly likely to leave the industry in the next three years, according to Canadian Underwriter’s National Broker Survey. One way to encourage brokers to stay would be to expand employee

Multiracial workplace celebration.
News BrokersEmploymentInsuranceLegalLegislation / RegulationProfessional DevelopmentRisk

Not addressing diversity issues creates risk for brokers, survey finds

April 14, 2022 Phil Porado

Nearly all Canadian brokers agree addressing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues is linked to business success, according to a late 2021 Canadian Underwriter online survey of 208 brokers across Canada, made possible with the support of Sovereign Insurance. It

Papers headed with Tax Liability and glasses on a table
News AssociationsBrokersCommercial LinesEarnings / RatingsInsuranceLegalLegislation / RegulationProductsReinsurance

Does federal budget create new tax liability for P&C industry?

April 12, 2022 Greg Meckbach

A federal budget proposal to forbid insurers from using a contractual service margin as a deductible reserve for tax purposes could impose a one-time tax liability on the industry. International Financial Reporting Standard 17 (IFRS 17) will “substantially change the

Stressed employee intern suffering from gender discrimination or unfair criticism.
News BrokersEmploymentInsurance

Some brokers say they face workplace discrimination

April 8, 2022 Philip Porado

Canada likes to see itself as a leader in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). And while it may be ahead of certain countries, some Canadian brokerage industry employees said they have faced various forms of workplace discrimination.

Giant waves break near the lighthouse at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia.
News CatastrophesClaimsClimate ChangeInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

What Canadians can expect of future hurricane seasons

April 7, 2022 by David Gambrill

Atlantic Canadians can expect to see more and increasingly intense hurricanes, as sea surface temperatures continue to warm up as a result of climate change. “Warmer sea surface temperatures fuel stronger hurricanes,” Swiss Re Canada CEO Monica Ningen observed during

Dark rectangular corridor under the bridge
News CatastrophesCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Exiting the commercial hard market may be prolonged: Insurers

April 5, 2022 by David Gambrill

Canada’s P&C insurers are exposed to historically-high inflation rates, which may prolong the hard market in commercial lines, Canada’s association of home, auto and business warns. “On the commercial side, I think this inflation is either going to prolong the

Computer with digital padlock
News InsuranceRiskTechnology

What companies prioritize over cybersecurity

April 1, 2022 Philip Porado

Even as instances of cyberattacks grow in North America and worldwide, business leaders in charge of cybersecurity appear to be putting other priorities first, according to a recent study from cybersecurity firm Trend Micro. It found that if push came

Nuclear power plant after sunset. Dusk landscape with big chimneys.
News ClaimsClaims CanadaCommercial LinesInsuranceLegalMarkets / CoveragesRisk

How Canada’s top court just bolstered pandemic BI exclusions

April 1, 2022 by David Gambrill

Canada’s top court has dismissed the appeal in a nuclear reactor case that trial lawyers might have used as a precedent to challenge the physical damage policy exclusions found in many pandemic-related business interruption insurance cases. As is customary, the

Business man travelling the world to acquire insurance.
News BrokersClaimsCommercial LinesInsuranceLegalLegislation / RegulationMarkets / CoveragesMGAsReinsurance

Placing business with non-licensed markets: What to look for

March 31, 2022 Greg Meckbach

Clients looking for property and casualty coverage have options other than insurers licensed to write coverage in Canada. But brokers and managing general agents say there are hazards and tax implications when placing with an unlicensed or non-admitted insurer. And