Why you’re not seeing as many carrier acquisitions as expected
January 5, 2018 by Jason ContantThe lack of “domestically sizeable targets” coming to market is one factor contributing to a less-than-expected number of acquisitions for Canadian carriers, an industry analyst says. And whenever a sizeable acquisition opportunity does arise, there is heated competition among multiple…
Sexual harassment, cannabis top legal risks in Canada this year: law firm
January 5, 2018 Ross Marowits - THE CANADIAN PRESSMONTREAL – The hot button issues of sexual harassment in the workplace and cannabis legalization joined a leading Canadian law firm’s annual top 10 list of legal risks for businesses in 2018. Borden Ladner Gervais LLP included sexual harassment in…
2018 Outlook: Silvy Wright, President, CEO Northbridge Financial Corporation
January 3, 2018 Silvy WrightWith digital innovation, customers are extracting more value from their insurance partners — and this will only continue to ramp up in 2018. Insurtech startups raised $985 million in 2017 Q2 alone; investments in startups have increased by 36% over…
Blame auto losses for lackluster 2017 P&C results
January 2, 2018 by Greg MeckbachDespite a “relatively benign” year in Canada for catastrophes in 2017, the industry-wide combined ratio in Canada was still fairly high at 96.8% during the first nine months of last year, with auto results partly to blame, MSA Research reported…
2018 Outlook: Heidi Sevcik, President, CEO, Gore Mutual Insurance Company
January 2, 2018 Heidi SevcikThe pace of change in the property and casualty market remains faster than ever before, increasing the need for cooperation and innovation in 2018. The increasing frequency of severe weather events emphasizes the importance of the industry and governments working…
2018 Outlook: Nick Creatura, President, CEO, CNA Canada
December 29, 2017 Nick CreaturaThe rapidly evolving environment of recent years has laid bare the need for insurers to focus attention on three core issues — talent, technology, and brand experience — to ensure relevance and success in the face of strong and emerging…
2018 Outlook: Jean-Francois Blais, President, Intact Insurance
December 29, 2017 Jean-Francois Blais*Editor’s Note: Jean-Francois Blais retires as Intact President effective Jan. 1, 2018. His contribution to our 2018 CEO Outlook pre-dated his retirement announcement. The insurance industry is facing potential disruption. Insurers are tackling several longer-term trends including the sharing economy,…
Weather service warns that black ice making Nova Scotia roads treacherous
December 21, 2017 The Canadian PressHALIFAX – Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Nova Scotia warning of black ice forming on roads around the province. The weather service said rain that fell on highways and roads across the province overnight had been…
Property Loss Update: The importance of good fire investigation
December 19, 2017 Glenn Gibson and Andrew EckartI’ve been writing on topics that impact front-line loss adjusters for over 25 years. I have now expanded things a bit by adding lawyer Andrew Eckart to form a writing team with me. I had the good fortune to have…
Disruption, collaboration and claims
December 19, 2017 Emily Atkins, EditorAs the new president of CIAA, Monica Kuzyk, who took over the reins from Heather Matthews at the annual general meeting in Kelowna on September 9, wants to open dialogue within the association. She is particularly concerned about the new…
Politicians at odds with industry over territorial rating
December 18, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterUsing postal codes to determine auto insurance rates could come to an end if the Progressive Conservatives win the next Ontario election. “Geographic discrimination should be eliminated while not raising rates on other parts of the province,” a spokesperson for…
Insurance defence lawyers in demand
December 14, 2017 David Gambrill, Editor-in-ChiefInsurance defence lawyers appear to be in high demand, with litigation expected to yield the greatest legal job prospects in the months ahead, according to research conducted by the legal employment agency Robert Half Legal. Thirty-three per cent of Canadian…