Segment
Reinsurance
Not addressing diversity issues creates risk for brokers, survey finds
April 14, 2022 Phil PoradoNearly 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…
Does federal budget create new tax liability for P&C industry?
April 12, 2022 Greg MeckbachA 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…
Some brokers say they face workplace discrimination
April 8, 2022 Philip PoradoCanada 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.…
What Canadians can expect of future hurricane seasons
April 7, 2022 by David GambrillAtlantic 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…
Exiting the commercial hard market may be prolonged: Insurers
April 5, 2022 by David GambrillCanada’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…
What companies prioritize over cybersecurity
April 1, 2022 Philip PoradoEven 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…
How Canada’s top court just bolstered pandemic BI exclusions
April 1, 2022 by David GambrillCanada’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…
Placing business with non-licensed markets: What to look for
March 31, 2022 Greg MeckbachClients 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…
Risk of flood loss is now on par with primary perils: Swiss Re
March 31, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoSecondary peril events such as flooding are becoming just as big of a threat — or worse — to global property and casualty insurers than primary perils, Swiss Re Institute’s recent sigma study finds. “The loss potential from single flood…
Ratings agency suspends commercial activities in Russia
March 30, 2022 Philip PoradoGetting ahead of a European Union-imposed Apr. 15 sanctions deadline, a major global credit ratings agency specializing in the insurance industry has suspended all commercial activities in Russia. AM Best said it’s also withdrawn all credit ratings on reinsurance companies…
Industry’s return on equity sky-high in 2021
March 30, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAt 18%, the industry’s return on equity was sky-high for the first three quarters of 2021, but industry observers warn this could be cut in half in two years. While these high profits have reduced solvency risk for most…
How Canada’s P&C industry feels about COVID safety in their offices
March 30, 2022 by David GambrillMore than seven out of 10 Canadian P&C industry professionals feel protected from COVID in their new hybrid office arrangements, according to an online poll conducted this week by Canadian Underwriter. Over 650 P&C professionals answered CU‘s survey, including brokers,…