Insurers consider weekend storm in Ontario Cat event
April 16, 2018 by Greg MeckbachRecent severe weather in Ontario, with six inches of ice pellets and winds exceeding gale force in some areas, will most likely be a CAT event, insurance companies report. But with rainfall warnings persisting Monday, one insurer reported more than…
When social media makes sense for insurance correspondence
April 14, 2018 by Greg MeckbachFacebook, Twitter and similar web services can suck up a lot of a worker’s time, but insurance brokers should figure out how to use social media to support the business. “There is nothing supremely special about social media,” said Kat…
Understanding Business Interruption Losses
April 11, 2018 Jay Strano, Managing Director, Crawford Forensic Accounting ServicesPrompted by the emergence of new triggers, business interruption remains a top risk according to the 2017 Allianz Risk Barometer, which defines it as “a loss of income that could impair a company’s revenue stream and thus [trigger] a shortfall…
How blockchain will put pressure on broker commissions in 3-5 years
April 10, 2018 by David GambrillBlockchain is going to put pressure on broker commissions and fundamentally change the way the broker channel does business over the next three to five years, says a past Marsh Canada national executive and management committee member. Blockchain will reduce…
Chubb takes stand on sacrificing market share to maintain underwriting profit
April 7, 2018 by Greg MeckbachChubb Ltd. is willing to lose customers if they are not willing to pay higher prices for insurance. “We sacrifice market share (though not happily) in order to maintain an underwriting profit,” Evan Greenberg, chairman and CEO of Chubb Ltd.,…
Canadian P&C people on the move
March 28, 2018 by Jason ContantTwo new staff members join adjusting firm Claims adjusting firm Kernaghan Adjusters said Monday it has relocated its Whistler, B.C. operation and welcomed two new staff members. Michael Unger will be Sea to Sky manager and executive adjuster. He brings…
Southwestern Ontario storm that flooded Brantford cost insurers $57 million
March 20, 2018 by Jason ContantA February storm that affected Brantford, Ont., as well as other areas of southwestern Ontario and Quebec, is estimated to have cost more than $57 million in insured damaged, Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ) said Tuesday. Between Feb. 19…
Munich Re not saying how many Canadian jobs may be cut as part of worldwide staff reductions
March 19, 2018 by Greg MeckbachMunich Re, which spent over $4 billion in 2017 for three hurricanes alone, is not saying how many jobs – if any – it is cutting in Canada. Published reports Thursday quoted Munich Re officials as saying the German reinsurer…
Lessons from the field in Fort Mac
March 15, 2018 Kris Rzesnoski, vice-president, business development, EncircleOn May 3, 2016 a massive wildfire swept through the remote Alberta community of Fort McMurray, necessitating the largest wildfire evacuation in Canadian history, with upwards of 88,000 people fleeing their homes. May 3rd was a turning point as well…
Aon Benfield suggests Brantford flooding will cost “tens of millions”
March 9, 2018 by Jason ContantAon Benfield’s catastrophe model development team, Impact Forecasting, is estimating total economic and insured losses in the tens of millions (U.S. dollars) for the recent flooding in southern Ontario. Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ) told Canadian Underwriter in late…
Aviva Canada seeks average 5% rate increase in personal home and auto lines
March 8, 2018 by David GambrillAviva Canada is putting through an average rate increase of 5% in personal home and auto lines after reporting a combined operating ratio of 102% in its 2017 year-end results. Aviva Canada’s net written premium increased by 15% in 2017…
January winter storm largely battered one province
March 8, 2018 by Jason ContantA winter storm in central and eastern Canada at the beginning of the year caused more than $54 million in insured damage, with the majority of damage being in Quebec, Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ) reported Thursday. Of the…