B.C.’s collision repair industry under the Spotlight
December 1, 1999 Brian Harper, editor of Bodyshop MagazineThe recently held Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s (ICBC) auto repair symposium drew focus on the forces of change sweeping through the industry, in particular the close relationship that exists between property and casualty insurers and shop operators. Similar to the cost-efficiency driven rationalization occurring across other provinces, B.C.’s own market should be preparing for change if the existing independent players plan on surviving into the new millennium, the speakers warn.
ICPB Anti-theft drive
October 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterEngaged in a constant battle to improve costs associated with auto insur- ance, insurers are focusing much attention on reducing auto theft and alerting the insured public about the phenomenon. According to Bill Atchison, acting chief operating officer of the…
MARKETING MANAGEMENT: The SAME PRODUCT, but the SAME SERVICE?
October 1, 1999 Chris MacKechnie, a consultant at Information DesignWorksAs an industry within the personal financial services sector, our customers don’t like us very much. To tell you the truth, I don’t blame them.; The SAME PRODUCT,
Underwriting performance HERE, and SOUTH
October 1, 1999 Gary Ketchum, managing senior financial analyst at A.M. Best Co.Investment gains have kept Canadian property and casualty underwriting results afloat, but conservative leverage — combined with signs of a market price hardening — now look to provide some additional comfort to the market. However, a comparison of business strategies applied by companies in Canada and their counterparts south of the border suggests that the former will have to place greater emphasis on reducing operating expenses.
Industry looks outward to control auto costs
October 1, 1999 Lowell ConnA recent Competition Bureau decision favoring “insurer preferred bodyshops” has provided auto property and casualty insurance companies with much needed ammunition in a pending court battle with the City of Toronto to overrule a longstanding by-law prohibiting the establishment of…
Money Laundering Legislation with BITE
October 1, 1999 Nikki McManus, a freelance writerCanada is big business — amounting to some $17 billion each year. And, although Canada’s money recycling black market is minor in global terms (which the U.N. estimates to be $1 trillion worldwide), there are weaknesses in the current financial…
The mechanics of Ontario’s collision repair
October 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterOntario’s collision repair industry is undergoing fundamental change — however, it is a change that spells good news for a besieged industry, insurers as well as a beleaguered consumer.
Canada/U.S. data shows similar ails
October 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterCanadian and U.S. property and casualty insurance results for the first half of 1999 show a marked decline in earnings, primarily due to weak investment returns and sluggish premium growth. Both the Canadian and U.S. industries witnessed a rise in…
The Future of Financial Services Regulation
October 1, 1999 Michael HlinkaLast June the federal government released its white paper on financial services regulation. While the gist of the paper was very much in favor of protecting the existing rights of members of the property and casualty insurance industry, contained within…
Low-cost insurer enters the fray
October 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterBrian Johnston, the former president of Liberty Canada Holdings and Cigna Insurance Company of Canada, has launched a new low-cost general insurance company, Markham General Insurance Company. The operation is capitalized at $20 million. Financially backed by a group of…
Marketing Strides – getting ON TOP
September 1, 1999 Shelley BoyesGiven the breath-taking surroundings, subjects like e-commerce, branding and reducing work-related stress should have been far from the minds of delegates at the 76th Annual Insurance MarketingCommunications Association conference.
the drive for Safer Roads
September 1, 1999 Lowell ConnCanadian automobile insurers wrote a combined $9.3 billion in earned premiums in 1998 while incurring losses of $7.0 billion. This 77.45 loss ratio ranks second only to accident & sickness as the worst loss experience category among all property &…