Are commercial lines going direct?
October 7, 2018 by Jason ContantCommercial lines may be moving more toward a direct model, a property and casualty insurance industry analyst suggested recently. “It’s interesting to see commercial lines moving toward the direct model, which we haven’t really seen,” said Philip Heywood, a partner…
How SSL Endeavour is streamlining access to the Lloyd’s market
October 3, 2018 by David GambrillSSL Endeavour in Canada is streamlining access to the Lloyd’s market by rolling out its Advantage claims management platform, allowing Canadian coverholders and TPAs to input claims data directly into London’s central systems. Streamlining the claims process is a priority…
Hub subsidiary Totten buys MGA in Atlantic Canada
October 3, 2018 by Greg MeckbachAnderson McTague & Associates Ltd., a New Brunswick-based coverholder in the Lloyd’s market, has been acquired by Toronto-based Totten Insurance Group Inc., a subsidiary of Hub International Ltd. Totten Insurance is a managing general agency founded in 2002 by H.…
What changed for insurance industry under the new trade deal?
October 1, 2018 by David GambrillAside from the name change from NAFTA to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), what changed for Canada’s property and casualty insurers under the new free trade agreement announced Monday? Not a whole heck of a lot, it would appear. Regulations…
Working around the workarounds
October 1, 2018 Lisa Kerr, president, Zynamic SolutionsThere is a lot of room to improve the current process for buying commercial insurance in Canada. In a brokerage, fully half of the 24 common touchpoints involved in processing a single new commercial policy could be removed through automation,…
First General names new head of central and eastern Ontario offices
October 1, 2018 by David GambrillFirst General, a North American restoration network with operations across Canada, has appointed Dan Burns to be the regional director of its central and eastern Ontario offices. First General has more than 80 general locations in Canada and the United…
How to bring up the marijuana discussion with clients
September 28, 2018 by Jason ContantBrokers need to know what their client’s habitational lease or contract states about marijuana use to provide their best advice, the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario said Thursday. Kevin O’Hare, IBAO’s education supervisor and instructional designer, said brokers need to…
Will higher interest rates kick-start M&A?
September 26, 2018 by Jason ContantWhat impact do rising interest rates have on P&C companies conducting mergers and acquisitions? We’re about to find out, as the Bank of Canada is widely expected to raise the interest rate target at an Oct. 24 rate announcement. “The…
Economical wins insurance technology award for Vyne platform
September 26, 2018 by Jason ContantEconomical Insurance has won Insurance Nexus’ Canadian Insurance Carrier of the Year 2018 award for its Guidewire-based computer system Vyne. The carrier of the year award recognizes the insurer who has made the biggest advances in implementing analytics and artificial…
Is technology creating an ‘underwriter in a box’?
September 22, 2018 by Jason ContantWe often hear how the property and casualty insurance industry is slow to adopt technology, but is it possible the industry is actually becoming overly reliant on technology? Yes, said Neil Mitchell, CEO of Player’s Health Cover and former managing…
How artificial intelligence can help brokers close sales
September 20, 2018 by Greg MeckbachArtificial intelligence could help a brokerage figure out how likely a prospective client is to actually buy insurance. At least that’s what officials with Surex Direct are hoping. Magreth, Alta.-based Surex Direct places home, auto and commercial lines and says…
How Intact and Aviva are preparing for a possible Canada Post strike
September 19, 2018 by Jason ContantCanada’s two largest insurers have plans in place to provide policy documents to consumers in the event of a postal strike. Workers at Canada Post may strike as early as Sept. 26 if their union cannot reach a new contract…