Hub acquires personal and commercial lines brokerage in Alberta
April 2, 2019 by Jason ContantHub International announced Tuesday it has acquired Del Fisher Insurance, an independent brokerage offering personal and commercial lines. Based in Calgary, Del Fisher Insurance has provided personal and commercial insurance solutions, including home, auto, business and contract bonding to area…
Jardine Lloyd Thompson acquired by Marsh & McLennan
April 1, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMarsh & McLennan Companies Inc.’s acquisition of London, England-based Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc is now complete, New York City-based Marsh & McLennan announced Monday. The deal – which could form the world’s largest commercial property and casualty brokerage –…
Auto loss ratios ‘unsustainable’ in these provinces
March 29, 2019 by Greg MeckbachOntario auto insurance is profitable but loss ratios are unsustainable in Alberta and two of the Maritime provinces, Canada’s Property and Casualty Insurance Compensation Corporation notes. “Importantly for insurers, Ontario’s private passenger auto insurance market remained profitable with a loss…
What’s holding back Lloyd’s price increases
March 28, 2019 by Greg MeckbachProperty risk could get harder to place in the Lloyd’s market this year. “Difficult decisions regarding existing accounts, or indeed the appropriateness of new accounts, will continue to have to be made during 2019,” the Corporation of Lloyd’s said of…
How tax rules affect brokers selling business to children
March 26, 2019 by Greg MeckbachIf you own your brokerage and are concerned you would face a hefty tax bill if you sell the business to your kids, the federal government wants to hear from you. In his 2019-20 budget document, Finance Minister Bill Morneau…
Intact announces departure of executive vice president
March 25, 2019 by Jason ContantIntact Financial Corporation (IFC) has announced that executive vice president Don Fox will be leaving the company effective May 3. Fox has been responsible for overseeing IFC’s investment management, corporate legal, corporate development, audit and finance functions. These key functions,…
Economical clears major hurdle to demutualization
March 20, 2019 by Greg MeckbachEconomical Insurance is a step closer to demutualization and becoming publicly traded on the stock exchange. An overwhelming majority (99%) of the insurer’s mutual policyholders voted Wednesday in favour of a demutualization proposal released in January. Several more steps are…
Trisura Guarantee announces new CEO
March 19, 2019 by David GambrillTrisura Guarantee Insurance Company has appointed Chris Sekine as president and CEO. He succeeds Mike George, who will continue to work with Trisura Guarantee on a consulting basis. Sekine has led Trisura Guarantee’s surety group since its inception. He has…
What 5G technology means for the insurance and collision repair industries
March 18, 2019 by Jason ContantThe promise of 5G technology was one of the top stories coming out of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. But what does that mean for the insurance and collision repair industries? A massive increase in connected devices that respond seemingly…
How bad financials can affect your client’s insurance rates
March 15, 2019 by Greg MeckbachDo insurers really care about a client’s balance sheet? A former lawyer who represented The Trump Organization recently suggested clients could get a good rate if the broker could be certain that the client could pay the premium. Brokers contacted…
This global reinsurer is applying for a Canadian branch office
March 13, 2019 by David GambrillValidus Reinsurance Ltd., a Bermuda-based reinsurer acquired by AIG last year for $5.5 billion, is looking to establish a Canadian branch office. Validus intends to file an application with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) on or…
What hard market in liquor liability means for clients
March 11, 2019 by Greg MeckbachClients planning St. Patrick’s Day celebrations may find themselves short on luck when it comes to insurance coverage. It’s becoming more difficult for clients to get insurance for liquor-related losses with the terms they need, one managing general agent observes.…