Focusing on sales may be hindering your social media strategy
December 16, 2018 by David GambrillMost brokers see social media as a way to increase sales and generate leads, according to a new study by Aviva Canada, but social media are more effective for brand awareness, building an online community and retaining customers, according to…
How to go direct-to-consumers without ticking off your brokers
December 14, 2018 by David GambrillAre you an insurance company looking to build up your direct-to-consumer capabilities without alienating the broker channel, on whom you rely for your core business? Here are three tips for you, as outlined by bloggers Ned Calder, Shahriar Parvarandeh and…
How some brokerages and MGAs attract talent
December 13, 2018 by Jason ContantWhat’s the best way of attracting qualified talent to your brokerage? Some brokerages and managing general agencies (MGAs) have cited looking outside the insurance industry or recruiting from local community colleges. McConville Omni Insurance Brokers, a personal and commercial lines…
How ‘exponential era technologies’ bedevil insurers
December 13, 2018 by Greg MeckbachHow you deal with the always-connected consumer will determine whether an insurtech will eat your lunch, speakers suggested at KPMG Canada’s annual insurance conference. “Digital is oxygen these days. If you are not digitizing your products and your service, you…
Why your brokerage needs a lead management system
December 12, 2018 by Jason ContantBrokerages going through a major transformation such as a merger should consider a lead management system, recommends the CEO of a brokerage that underwent a merger in 2015. “Really focus on a lead management system because otherwise you’ll have no…
The hard part about making artificial intelligence work
December 11, 2018 by Greg MeckbachUsing artificial intelligence, brokers can gain valuable insights from data, but making decisions based on those insights might be easier said than done. “There is an issue that all companies struggle with. It’s one thing to gain insights out of…
How to grow in an era of new, intangible business risks
December 6, 2018 by David GambrillAs business risks become more global, interconnected and less tangible, brokers and insurers should expand their dialogue with clients about loss mitigation or loss prevention, the chief executive of CNA Canada says. “An insurance policy today isn’t really enough,” CNA…
Time to increase auto liability coverage: Lawyer
December 5, 2018 by Greg MeckbachOntario’s new government should require motorists to buy more liability coverage than is currently mandatory, a lawyer who represents claimants says. “I think everyone in the insurance industry would agree that $200,000 is far too low,” Joseph Campisi of Vaughan-based…
Why smaller is better for MGAs looking to innovate
December 3, 2018 by Jason ContantSometimes even simple technological changes can help managing general agencies (MGAs) become more innovative, a software provider said last week at Insurance-Canada.ca’s MGA Technology Symposium in Toronto. “What everybody should be thinking about critically is where is my company today…
An insurer’s take on the multi-solution era of data exchange
December 3, 2018 by David GambrillAn old adage states that a broker must be able to communicate with clients in the way in which the clients wish to communicate – be it through online portals, telephone, email, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Similarly, in a multi-solution era…
Forget about blockchain and AI. Get your website up first.
November 30, 2018 by Jason ContantThinking about dabbling in blockchain or artificial intelligence (AI) at your managing general agency (MGA)? It’s probably best to focus on taking smaller steps first. “There’s a whole set of first steps that are being overlooked,” said Jeff McCann, CEO…
B.C. brokerage fined $20,000 for flouting rules for entry-level brokers
November 29, 2018 by David GambrillPark Georgia Insurance Agencies, a full-service brokerage in B.C., has been fined $20,000 for allowing 36 of its Level 1 general insurance agents to sell insurance outside of the brokerage on a full-commission basis and without supervision, contrary to the…