Investment Strategies: Evolving Composition of Bonds
November 1, 2000 Cameron Laird, senior vice president with Scudder Kemper InvestmThe landscape of the Canadian bond market has changed dramatically in recent years, and further change is certain to be on the horizon. The primary driver of this shift has been the rush by all levels of government in Canada…
Insurers urged to throw support to helicopter project
November 1, 2000 by Canadian UnderwriterKingsway Financial Services has stepped to the plate as the first insurer to offer financial support for the Metro Toronto Police helicopter project. A pilot project to test the use of a helicopter in cases ranging from tracking suspects to…
Surfing the e-business wave
October 1, 2000 AxiomFeeling slightly weary, the five of us walked across the convention center lobby and sank into chairs. My insurance company was the lead sponsor of a two-day business fair titled “The E-business Revolution” and I had invited four of my…
Insurers and Collision Shops: Driving Partnerships Forwar
October 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerCARSTAR’s annual conference brought insurers and collision shop owners onto common ground to repair the once adversarial relationship that plagued both sides. In the name of improved customer service and hence higher profits, all agreed the time has come to forge new partnerships.
Privacy under the SPOTLIGHT
October 1, 2000 David CarrThe first phase of Bill C-6, the federal government’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, becomes law on January 1, 2001. Only Canada’s Schedule-A banks, wholly regulated companies such as Air Canada and Bell, and data gathering organizations such…
ICPB scores against car theft
September 1, 2000 by Canadian UnderwriterFollowing extensive investigations, police in Quebec swooped in on a vehicle theft ring based in Victoriaville in July, seizing 56 cars valued at approximately $1.6 million. The Insurance Crime Prevention Bureau (ICPB) congratulated the authorities on the successful raid, noting…
Counting the Costs of claims service
August 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerThe old adage ‘you have to spend money to make money’ should be taken to heart by today’s insurance companies, say the industry’s claims managers. Canada’s top insurers agree that customer service is the name of the game, and claims handling the key to keeping customers on board. Companies that sacrifice customer service in the name of cost saving are in danger of paying the price in the long run.
Exploring management myths
August 1, 2000 AxiomSitting at the head table in the hotel’s convention room, I felt a quick stab of uncertainty. I had agreed to be a guest speaker at this broker management seminar staged by our provincial brokers’ association. As my company’s senior…
Coming Events (July 01, 2000)
July 1, 2000 by Canadian UnderwriterAnnouncements in Coming Events are run free of charge as a service to the industry. Items should be submitted by the first of the month prior to the month in which the announcement is to appear. International Insurance Society, Inc.…
Sales Inducements: Let’s make a deal
July 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerThe rise of direct insurers has energized discussion about regulating product sales inducements. While many brokers fight to maintain the prohibition on inducements, others are asking the question, “who are we protecting?” And regulators are starting to respond, rewriting the…
Coming Events (June 01, 2000)
June 1, 2000 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Export Development Corporation (EDC) has earmarked $1 million over three years for an International Studies Scholarship, to be administered by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in business or economics focussing on international…
Multi-Distribution: Switching channels
June 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerRecent management consultant surveys of the North American property and casualty insurance industry have highlighted distribution as the number-one future concern facing insurer CEOs. The reports all weigh strongly in favor of integrated multi-distribution approaches with the Internet playing central…