How you can scale your expertise through social media
January 25, 2019 by Jason ContantBrokers may not want to invest heavily in social media, but a lot of opportunity exists at little to no cost. “It’s always a question of how do you scale your expertise; by using social media, you can just reach…
Would you buy insurance from your own website?
January 22, 2019 by Jason ContantBefore jumping right into buying a piece of technology, brokers should first think about mapping out the customer journey, suggests the CEO of a company that helps brokers with automation. “Diving right into the software isn’t always the best because…
Major insurer ‘actively’ looking at insurance risk linked to M&A in Canada
January 21, 2019 by Greg MeckbachCommercial brokers advising Canadian clients involved in mergers and acquisitions could soon have another market to which they could place transactional risk. The Travelers Companies Inc. announced Jan. 15 it plans to offer transactional risk insurance in the United States.…
Do brokers receive enough tech training?
January 17, 2019 by Jason ContantAre brokers in Canada properly trained to use new technology? “It seems there is an under-investment in the human resources component of new technology,” said Jeff McCann, CEO of Digital MGA Marketplace Ltd., a Vancouver-based company that helps brokers with…
“Mobile-first” insurtech may be coming to Canada
January 16, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA San Francisco-based firm calling itself a “mobile-first” property and casualty insurance brokerage might start placing home and auto coverage in Canada. Canadian Underwriter asked Karn Saroya, CEO of Cover Financial Inc., whether his insurtech plans to expand into Canada.…
What buyers look for in a brokerage
January 16, 2019 by Greg MeckbachInformation technology is one driving force behind mergers and acquisitions involving property and casualty insurance brokerages. Acquiring new products, talent and technology are among the reasons behind M&A activity in P&C insurance, said Georges Pigeon, a Montreal-based partner with KPMG’s…
Hub’s take on the merger between P&C and employment benefits
January 15, 2019 by Jason ContantAs it continues to expand its employee benefits solutions, Hub International is training its more than 4,000 employees in Canada to articulate that it is not just a property and casualty brokerage. “There’s still a training and development and learning…
Why your brokerage needs an online presence
January 15, 2019 by Jason ContantBrokerages looking to scale their expertise should focus their efforts online, says the CEO of a Vancouver-based company that helps brokers with automation solutions. “Externally, the new standard of engagement is online,” Jeff McCann, CEO of Digital MGA Marketplace Ltd.,…
What these brokerages bring to the table in Hub merger
January 15, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA Quebec brokerage recently acquired by Hub International Ltd. brings expertise in construction and auto dealerships to the table. “Hub is already major player, if not one of the biggest brokers in Quebec,” Alain Giroux, executive vice president of Montreal…
Alberta auto cap leading to broker-carrier contract cancellations
January 14, 2019 by Greg MeckbachAlberta’s ceiling on auto rate increases is causing some brokers to lose their contracts with carriers. In Alberta, as a general rule carriers may not hike rates by more than 5% across their book of business. “It has resulted in…
All provinces saw rate increases in Q4 2018: Applied
January 10, 2019 by Jason ContantEvidence of a hard market in personal lines in Canada was apparent in Applied Systems’ latest quarterly Applied Rating Index, released Tuesday. The Q4 2018 index found that average premiums for personal auto and personal property lines increased by more…
Hub buys Quebec commercial brokerage
January 10, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMontreal commercial brokerage Forum Risques et Assurance Inc. has been acquired by Hub International Ltd., Chicago-based Hub announced Thursday. Forum Risques was founded in 2013 by François Jean and Alain Giroux. Its target markets include technology, manufacturing and construction. Jean…