Marketing Strides – getting ON TOP
September 1, 1999 Shelley BoyesGiven the breath-taking surroundings, subjects like e-commerce, branding and reducing work-related stress should have been far from the minds of delegates at the 76th Annual Insurance MarketingCommunications Association conference.
that TECHNOLOGY THORN
September 1, 1999 Sean van Zyl, EditorWith the conference and seminar season once again shifting into full drive, the message remains consumerism. Nothing new — the insurance industry has become almost anaesthetized by the repeated urgency to address consumer expectations. However, the latest round of discussions…
Letters (September 01, 1999)
September 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterDear Editor, We read the article by Lowell Conn, titled “Faith & Honour”, in your April 1999 publication and would like to comment on a couple of statements attributed to Ginny Bannerman. Ms. Bannerman is quoted as saying, in reference…
U.S. Reinsurance Market PRICING STABILIZES
September 1, 1999 Sean Mooney, senior vice president at Guy Carpenter & Company InFollowing a lengthy period of stagnation, pricing within the U.S. reinsurance market seems to have stabilized, with even some evidence in the market of rate increases. However, until the market’s excess capacity is depleted, buyers of reinsurance will continue to enjoy the benefits of highly competitive pricing.
The Ball in IBAC’s Court
September 1, 1999 Lowell ConnProperty & casualty insurance brokers are breathing a collective sigh of relief as the federal government’s discussion paper on the future of financial institutions in Canada effectively put a moratorium on the banks’ entry into the retail insurance market. Despite…
First North American conference a go
September 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterWith mass consolidation converting the insurance industry into a global industry — and the increased cross-border transactions, partnerships and mergers between U.S. and Canadian insurer — it is fitting that North American insurers will meet this Fall for the first…
Brokerlink consolidates Vector
September 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterListed broker consolidators Canada Brokerlink Inc. and Vector Intermediaries Inc. have announced their intention to merge operations with netpremium volume of $277 million. The newly formed corporation — expected to retain the Brokerlink brand name — will trade shares with…
could this year be THE BIG ONE?
August 1, 1999 Sean van Zyl, EditorAlan Greenspan only has to mention inflation and interest rates in the same breath to send the investments markets into spasm. His most recent economic brief, presented toward the end of July, knocked off close to 3% of the value…
Thinking outside the Canvas
August 1, 1999 Lowell ConnThe early 20th century was a revolutionary time for the fine art community, with “modern artists” such as Henri Matisse carrying forward the early exploration attempts of the impressionist painters in testing conventional “realist” theory. In many respects, the modern…
Canadian First-Quarter Weak
August 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterBusiness conditions for the Canadian property and casualty insurance industry remained weak for the first quarter of this year, with auto and personal property showing increased loss ratios across Ontario and Atlantic Canada, says Paul Kovacs in the Insurance Bureau…
Regulating Internet insurance
August 1, 1999 Brian Reeve, partner at Cassels Brock & BlackwellThe difference between an Internet presence and soliciting business through the Internet can be significant in terms of legal exposure. With the serious growth seen in commercial entities on the web over recent years, the regulators are now beginning to address some of the legal accountability issues of jurisdiction and local laws. However, for the time being, selling insurance over the Internet holds many legal pitfalls.
Managing web exposures
August 1, 1999 Marcus Snowden, partner at McCague, Wires, Peacock, Borlack & LlWith e-commerce widely predicted to explode into the mainstream world of business in coming years, the lure of “getting into the ‘net game” before it becomes too late is almost irresistible for most companies. In particular, the Internet is expected…