Segment
Risk Management
U.S. p&c reserves still a thorn in industry’s side
February 2, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterJust as U.S. p&c insurers disclose fourth quarter reserve charges, Moody’s Investors Service says the industry remains woefully under-reserved.In a study of the top 50 p&c insurers and reinsurers, Moody’s noted that commercial liability lines continue to be significantly under-reserved…
Political risks a US$800 billion drain on world economy: Aon
January 29, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterWith the release of its annual "Political and Economic Risk Map", global broker Aon Corp. estimates political risks cost the world economy US$800 billion last year, the equivalent of a 0.25% tax on global GDP growth.The losses come from reduced…
Vancouver company launches expatriate insurance site
January 28, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterVancouver-based TransWorldconneX has launched the first single-source online listing of international expatriate and local national policies.The free service is being offered to brokers, consulting houses and insurers, to locate and purchase insurance and other services for international benefits clients. Quotes…
D&O remains tight in North America: Tillinghast Towers Perrin
January 27, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterThe average cost of directors’ and officers’ (D&O) cover in North America rose by 33% during 2003, according to a study just released by Tillinghast Towers Perrin. Based on feedback from its “2003 Directors & Officers Liability Survey”, the consultants…
CIAB survey shows commercial p&c rate softening
January 26, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterA survey of U.S. agents and brokers shows that one-third of accounts saw either flat or lower premiums in the fourth quarter of 2003. The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) survey is the latest indication that premium increases…
OSC releases corporate governance guidelines for comment
January 23, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has released for discussion new guidelines for accounting and disclosure for publicly-traded companies. The guidelines follow a Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) announcement last fall that provincial securities regulators would now set the standards for corporate…
Almost 40% of private companies anticipate d&o-based suit in 2004
January 23, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterNearly two in every five privately-held U.S. companies anticipates lawsuits aimed at their directors and officers from shareholders, customers or vendors this year, notes a new study sponsored by New Jersey-based Chubb Group.The survey of private company risks, conducted by…
CEOs extol virtues of ERM, but implementation is slow to catch on
January 23, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterGlobal CEOs understand the need for enterprise-wide risk management (ERM), but say there are many barriers to full implementation, according to the 7th annual Global CEO Survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers.The survey found CEOs confident of future growth in revenue (80% of…
Commercial property rates dropping; signs of flattening in liability
January 22, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterCommercial property rates fell 8.8% in the last quarter of 2003, marking the first major rate decline since 2000, according to the quarterly survey by the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) and Advisen Ltd.Risk managers report not only are…
Casualty line to cause risk managers headaches in 2004: Willis
January 13, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterInternational broker Willis says Canadian organizations should expect no respite from directors’ and officers’ rate hikes, and a critical capacity shortage in professional liability heading into 2004.“The intensity in rate increases has shifted from property to the casualty lines,” writes…
Casualty rates continue climb in 2004: JLT
January 6, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterInternational broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson says commercial clients should prepare themselves for further increases in liability rates this year as insurers continue to repair balancesheets and shy away from long-tail exposures.In its annual “state of the market” report, JLT says…
New study highlights dangers of marijuana grow operations
December 23, 2003 by Canadian UnderwriterIn a report highlighting concerns over commercial marijuana grow operations, insurance concerns over the increased danger of fire are being brought forward by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP).The OACP-commissioned report speaks to several concerns, including the cost…