How to digitize traditional brokerages without breaking the bank
February 28, 2023 Alyssa DiSabatinoMany brokerages adopted technology sooner than planned because of the pandemic. And now acceptance of remote work is pushing brokerages to accelerate — or in some cases, start implementing — digital strategies. It’s easy to make a case for digitizing…
Where employers are having difficulty attracting and retaining talent
July 27, 2022 by Jason ContantAttracting and retaining IT and digital talent remains the biggest challenge for companies around the world, and it’s an even bigger problem for employers than it was in 2021, according to a recent survey from WTW. IT/digital talent remains the…
Where digital transformation goes wrong for the P&C industry
July 7, 2022 by Jason ContantCanada’s P&C insurance industry needs to get back to basics — unmet customer needs — when designing tech-enabled digital strategies and products, speakers said last week during an industry webinar. Too often, carriers or other industry stakeholders get involved in…
Digital growth demands new broker skill and training
November 15, 2021 Jeff BucksteinThe ongoing digital revolution, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue to have a major impact on the way brokers provide services. Canadian Underwriter’s Trusted Advisor 2021 survey found 80% of business clients and 73% of personal clients said online…
Customers increasingly receptive to digital documents
October 29, 2021 Philip PoradoIt’s not due entirely to the pandemic but brokerage customers are more open to digital documents and focused on convenience, said panellists during an Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) virtual convention session. And whether those documents are delivered by…
Buy or build: What surveyed Canadian businesses prefer
September 29, 2021 by Jason ContantSmall- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) surveyed by KPMG Canada have identified organic growth as a top strategy, followed by digital technology investments. Of the 505 respondents to KPMG’s Business Outlook Poll, nearly three-quarters (71%) identified organic growth as a top…
One brokerage’s take on what it means to be a digital broker
September 2, 2021 Brooke SmithLabour Day is just around the corner — and that means back to school. But Van Allen Insurance has completed its studies for the time being. All 13 members of the Listowel, Ont.-based brokerage’s team have completed the Digital Broker…
How P&C can keep human connections within digital insurance
August 20, 2021 Canadian Underwriter StaffWhile the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated P&C’s digitization investments, the need for human connection within digital insurance should not be overlooked, a digital identity firm says. “As the insurance industry accelerates its pace towards digitization, we must keep in mind…
How the industry can take advantage of artificial intelligence
June 18, 2020 by Greg MeckbachBrokerages who use artificial intelligence could find opportunities to upsell based on changes in a client’s lifestyle, according to a software vendor executive. The more data you feed a machine learning model and the more you train it, the better…
How insurance company websites just beat out brokers in a U.S. consumer satisfaction study
June 15, 2020 by David GambrillFor the first time in two decades, insurance company websites in the United States have become a more popular place for consumers to buy their auto insurance than through the broker channel, a U.S. auto insurance consumer satisfaction study has…
Are brokers affected by an urban-rural connectivity gap?
April 24, 2020 by Greg MeckbachRural clients should be able to access the Internet at high enough speeds for brokers to offer them digital services, says one Alberta broker. “I would say there is no issue,” said Rob Barros, chief technology officer and chief communications…
Why you should accelerate your digital expansion
July 17, 2019 by Adam MalikGrowing your bottom line and developing a stronger bond with clients are just two reasons why brokerages need to ensure their online presence is strong, according to a recent study. Brokers also need to use every tool at their disposal…