Canadian Underwriter and canadianunderwriter.ca Launch Free Insurance News Alert Service
January 1, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterWelcome to your first edition of Canadian Underwriter magazine and canadianunderwriter.ca’s new Email News Alert Service for the Insurance Industry, called “At Your Personal Request”. This FREE Breaking News Alert Service will keep the market informed of the latest Insurance…
Collision Repair Following Global Leadership
January 1, 2002 Vikki SpencerAs insurance rates begin climbing upwards, pressure is also increasing to reduce claims costs, particularly in auto insurance. And, while costs associated with collision repair are an obvious target, the size of this segment of the market has been declining over recent years in both revenue and the number of repair shops, delegates at the annual CARSTAR Industry Conference heard. Speakers also highlighted new challenges facing bodyshops through technology and growing customer demands.
Claims to Lead Technology Surge
January 1, 2002 Dale Hardy, president of Correlation Technologies Inc.“Hub power” is likely going to be the next big technology push in the North American property and casualty insurance industry, with the claims handling arena at the forefront of this advancement. Are you ready?
Getting Back to Basics
January 1, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterIn the continually evolving world of claims, adjusters are dealing with new pressures daily. The demands of loss cost reduction, increasing customer expectations, changing regulations and technology may, however, cause a return to the foundations of good adjusting. For incoming Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association (OIAA) president Louise Rivett, the keys to adjusting in the new world are simple – good customer relationships and strong knowledge and skill base. With mergers and acquisitions shrinking the marketplace, the pressure is increasing on adjusters to have the right skills and latest knowledge.
Claims Management Strategies 2002: A Delicate Balance
January 1, 2002 Vikki SpencerThe insurance industry is at a crossroads, with rates rising, but continuing to be outpaced by claims costs. Technology is a relentless force, offering promise, but also upping the ante on customer service expectations. A survey of top insurer claims staff shows that today’s adjusters walk a fine line between the increasing demands of the customer and the need to reduce costs, between technology’s potential and its potential downfalls. CU asks the experts what new forces threaten this delicate balance moving forward.
Outsourcing Benefits or just more “Widgets”
January 1, 2002 Margaret Oudkerk, a regional claims manager at ING HalifaxWhile independent claims adjusters may achieve a short-term gain in increased business as insurers once again begin addressing outsourcing of their claims handling requirements as pressure mounts to cut operating costs, too much emphasis on “cost cutting” could prove detrimental in the long run to both parties.
Adjusters at Ground Zero
January 1, 2002 Andy WalkerInsurance adjusters are witnesses to carnage. They see tumult in places where days, and in some cases hours before, people were going about their daily business in an orderly world. It is part of the job. But how do you react when you are assigned to adjust claims stemming from the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11? Three seasoned adjusters from Cunningham Lindsey say the assignment was not like any other they had experienced.
Standard healthcare invoice for Ontario auto
November 1, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterAfter five years of petitioning the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has instituted a standard auto insurance invoice for healthcare practitioners in Ontario. The invoice, which applies to rehabilitation providers such as chiropractors,…
IBC launches standard invoice for Ontario
October 4, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterAfter five years of petitioning the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is finally able to institute a standard auto insurance invoice for health care practitioners in Ontario. The invoice, which applies to rehabilitation…
Quebec Brokers: Back to School
October 1, 2001 John Morin, president of Morin, Elliott Associates LteeFirst enacted in June 1998, Quebec’s financial services intermediary legislation, Bill-188, has reached a critical stage in its implementation. Starting from September this year, financial intermediaries including property and casualty insurance brokers will be subject for the first time to earning compulsorily continuing education credits, while other contentious sections of the law still have to be put into effect.
Terrorist attacks declared largest insured single loss
October 1, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterIn the face of rising loss estimates, insurers worldwide are beginning to process claims from the September 11 terrorist attacks that took place in the U.S. Early estimates of the total insured loss vary from US$25 billion to almost $60…
Crawford strikes western hold
September 1, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterThe recent purchase of Edmonton, Alberta adjusting firm Leonard, Hirst & Miller (LH&M) has provided Crawford Adjusters Canada with a firm foothold in the west. Crawford CEO Glenn Gibson says the “fit” of LH&M’s professional expertise was a main attraction.…