Adjusters at Ground Zero
January 1, 2002 Andy WalkerInsurance adjusters are witnesses to carnage. They see tumult in places where days, and in some cases hours before, people were going about their daily business in an orderly world. It is part of the job. But how do you react when you are assigned to adjust claims stemming from the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11? Three seasoned adjusters from Cunningham Lindsey say the assignment was not like any other they had experienced.
Auto Insurance Reform: a Long Road for Ontario
January 1, 2002 Mark Yakabuski, Ontario vice president of the IBCMark Yakabuski,Toward the end of last year the Ontario provincial government issued a discussion document outlining its views to reform of the auto insurance product. While the insurance industry has been engaged in auto reform discussions with the government for over a year, the latest legislative proposal lacks many of the critical reform measures urgently needed. The industry through the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has relayed its concerns to the government as the reform discussions continue over what on a daily basis is rapidly becoming a market crises.
Collision Repair Following Global Leadership
January 1, 2002 Vikki SpencerAs insurance rates begin climbing upwards, pressure is also increasing to reduce claims costs, particularly in auto insurance. And, while costs associated with collision repair are an obvious target, the size of this segment of the market has been declining over recent years in both revenue and the number of repair shops, delegates at the annual CARSTAR Industry Conference heard. Speakers also highlighted new challenges facing bodyshops through technology and growing customer demands.
Sleeping Giant: Canada’s Wildfire Risk
December 1, 2001 Vikki SpencerIn 1991, fires raged through the hills of eastern San Francisco, killing 25 and leaving thousands homeless. This travesty cost insurers more than US$1.5 billion. Not since the 1906 San Francisco earthquake set that city ablaze, had the world seen…
Munich Re predicts profit despite WTC losses
November 29, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterDespite being among the heaviest hit by the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, and posting a third quarter loss of US$1.07 billion, Munich Re says it will still post a profit for the year.The…
Lloyd’s WTC exposure hits $2.8 billion
November 27, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterLloyd’s of London says its net exposure from the September 11 terrorist attacks is now estimated at US$2.8 billion. This is an increase of 45% over an early estimate of US$1.9 billion.The revised estimate is the result of new property…
Reinsurance Strategies 2002: Bargain Days Over
November 1, 2001 Sean van Zyl, EditorPrior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, reinsurers operating in Canada were adamant that 2002 treaty renewals would have to reflect general rate adjustments in the order of 15% to 25%. Most companies were mindful, however, of the prevailing and excessive competition within the Canadian marketplace, and in this respect seemed more hopeful than resolved that the rate adjustments they hoped to seek for next year would be achieved. The post-September 11 reinsurance landscape has changed dramatically. Covers available at “less-than-cost” pricing have vanished to be replaced by a steely attitude to both the terms and pricing of coverage. Reinsurers partaking in CU’s annual “Reinsurance Strategy Outlook” offer little hope for cheap pricing as the global cost impact of the terrorist attacks begins to bite. The message is clear: “The bargain days are over”.
Lloyd’s losses scrutinized by U.S. regulator
October 15, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterU.S. regulators will be looking at the finances of insurance market Lloyd’s of London in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11. Following the incidents, Lloyd’s announced that its exposures would…
RSA ups WTC loss estimate by one-third
October 11, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterU.K.-based Royal & SunAlliance has increased its estimate of losses from the terrorist attacks on America to 200 million pounds (US$290 million) pretax, up from an earlier estimate of 150 million pounds.The company reports that while aviation and property losses…
U.S. insurance groups look for temporary reinsurance solution for terrorism
October 10, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterChicago-based The National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII) has released a proposal which it believes offers the best short-term solution to insurers in the wake of the reduction in reinsurance cover for terrorism exposures. NAII says it will continue to…
IBAC and Member Associations Launch Insurance Brokers’ Appeal for The Salvation Army’s U.S. Disaster Fund
October 5, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterTo help aid the victims and survivors of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) has partnered with The Salvation Army in Canada to set up the Canadian Insurance Brokers’ Appeal…
The Risk of Terror: Cost on Life
October 1, 2001 by Canadian UnderwriterThe images of death and destruction that burned into our consciousness on September 11, 2001, will forever haunt us. Over time, the buildings, airplanes, and property damage can be replaced or repaired, however the horrific and sudden loss of life will always remain with us. The human suffering from this disaster is incalculable. Although life can never be replaced, life insurance can help prevent further financial trauma. Life insurers and life reinsurers are now called upon to make good on promises made to policyholders.