Why there’s no such thing as ‘bad risk’
November 14, 2023 Adam MitchellNew leads are crucial for any brokerage’s growth and continued business success. Although that’s a no-brainer, here’s something to remember when it comes to converting those leads into clients: there’s no such thing as good risks and bad risks. The…
Why you might need a diversity, equity and inclusion partner
September 28, 2023 Alyssa Di SabatinoNeed some help with your brokerage’s efforts to develop a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace? Consider partnering with another organization to create recruiting or other interim partnerships, suggested Craig Pinnock, chief financial officer of Northbridge Financial Corporation. “These are the…
How Canada’s brokers can move the needle on DEI
September 26, 2023 Alyssa Di SabatinoDon’t have the resources to embark on large-scale diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs? You can still get started by simply committing your brokerage to change. “If you’re a small brokerage, maybe you don’t have the resources, I think the…
Where brokers can find opportunity in a softer D&O market
September 13, 2023 David GambrillAfter several years of a hard market, P&C industry executives report a plateau of price increases in directors and officers (D&O) lines. As fears of pandemic-fuelled losses fade, D&O lines are becoming more profitable and that’s leading to some increased…
U.K.-based firm buys two Canada brokerages
September 12, 2023 Canadian Underwriter StaffLooks as if the summer 2023 P&C brokerage merger train will keep on rolling into the fall. Specialist insurance and reinsurance broker BMS Group has acquired Canada-based insurance brokers, Smith & Reid Insurance Brokers Ltd. and O’Neil Insurance. Smith &…
How artificial intelligence benefits brokers
August 31, 2023 Adam MitchellWe’ve all seen stories about AI and what programs like ChatGPT will mean for the future of work. The general consensus – for now at least – is that it won’t replace insurance brokers. But as this technology becomes more…
Despite easing inflation, P&C insurers face challenges
June 27, 2023 Philip PoradoCanada’s May inflation rate slipped to an annualized 3.4%, Statistics Canada said Tuesday. That’s the lowest rate in two years and solidly below the 4.4% annual rate posted in April. It’s also in line with the Bank of Canada’s efforts…
Is market segmentation helping to soften pricing?
June 14, 2023 David GambrillA softening, but segmented, insurance market is allowing commercial lines brokers to leave some aspects of the years-long hard market behind. Improved pricing models are one key ingredient in the ‘stability’ now seen in commercial lines, brokers observed. Carriers are…
Why the hard market and COVID-19 shifted brokers’ focus
June 9, 2023 David GambrillCommercial lines in Canada have changed in the aftermath of the pandemic. These days the monolithic ‘hard market’ has evolved into multiple markets differentiated by segmented pricing and best-in-class loss-control measures. And the commercial broker’s role has changed accordingly. After…
Brokers still worry about the hard market, but what’s next?
May 1, 2023 Philip PoradoAlthough Canadian property and casualty (P&C) insurance brokers still call the hard market their greatest challenge, their overall level of concern is gradually waning. So found Canadian Underwriter’s 2023 National Broker Survey, in which more than 150 brokers nationwide expressed…
National Broker Survey: Top tech solution brokers want from carriers
May 1, 2023 Philip PoradoBrokers worried about challenges faced when placing business during a hard market are looking to carriers for help with online claims service capabilities, said respondents to Canadian Underwriter’s 2023 National Broker Survey. The survey polled 150 brokers nationwide about challenges…
Brokers optimistic about growth, but support for 2 key M&A strategies declines
May 1, 2023 Philip PoradoWhile property and casualty (P&C) insurance brokers in Canada said they’re optimistic about the future, Canadian Underwriter‘s 2023 National Broker Survey shows declining support for two key brokerage growth strategies, including M&A. When asked about expected financial performance in 2023,…