Royal SunAlliance Canadian arm improves, but hampered by FA losses
March 12, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterWith the release of Royal & SunAlliance Insurance Group’s results, the Canadian operations are posting improved operating results, however Facility Association (FA) losses are hampering the effect of prince increases and reduced exposures.Overall, the parent company is reporting a pre-tax…
2003 catastrophes cost insurers US$18.5 billion
March 4, 2004 by Canadian Underwriter2003 will go down as a costly year for catastrophes, most significantly in human terms, with 60,000 people losing their lives in 380 catastrophic events, according to Swiss Re’s annual sigma study of catastrophes. Most serious was the earthquake striking…
Uniform data standard needed for risk modelers: EQECAT
March 2, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterJust as insurers work toward uniformity of data transmissions on the distribution end, they should also be asking risk modeling firms to work toward uniform data standards. So says EQECAT Inc. president Rick Clinton at the risk modeling company’s recent…
Moves & Views (March 01, 2004)
March 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Toronto Metro Convention Centre was home to the Insurance Institute of Ontario (IIO) Convocation and Awards Dinner. Amongst the honorees were (clockwise from top) Sunit Datta, Rajdeep Chopra and Richard Y.K. Liu, all of whom were presented with multiple…
Hazel Hit Toronto Hard
March 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterEach month of this special 70th anniversary year, Canadian Underwriter will look back at a pivotal period in the industry’s history. These are the people, events and issues that have shaped Canadian Underwriter and the insurance industry for seven decades.
Low losses expected from Maritime storms
February 26, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterThe severe winter storms striking the Atlantic coast of Canada late last week should produce few insured losses, says Don Forgeron, Atlantic region vice president for the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).“The good news is there weren’t many vehicles on…
“No return to a soft market” for real estate risks, Willis cautions
February 18, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterIn a new report on the real estate insurance market, global broker Willis says despite price relief in the property line, other coverages and a continued hard line on terms and conditions are still causing headaches for the industry.Speaking of…
Taking CAT Risks to the Next Advancement
February 1, 2004 Dennis KuzakThe longstanding business of insurance – whereby risk of loss is transferred for a price per a set contract – has withstood wars, disasters, politics and time. Yet, the business of risk transfer has not remained “timeless” in that market forces have adapted with the changing needs of a developing and ever advancing society. The growing popularity of “cat bonds” as a form of investment as well as that of risk hedging against large unexpected losses therefore should come as no surprise to insurers.
Yearend catastrophes highlight rising exposure: Munich Re
January 7, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterAs 2003 closed out with earthquakes in Iran and California, the events of the year highlight increasing exposures to catastrophe and new large-scale risks for insurers, says the world’s largest reinsurer. In its annual report on global catastrophes, Munich Re…
Fitch predicts recovery for US insurers in 2004
January 5, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterRating agency Fitch says U.S. p&c insurers can look forward to stronger returns in 2004, on the heels of price increases and tighter underwriting over the past two years. But those who have lagged behind this hard market trend may…
Zapped! Claims Departments Feel the Heat
January 1, 2004 Vikki SpencerThe property and casualty insurance industry has woken to find itself in the “hot seat” of a tumultuous public storm – consumers, the media and provincial governments have set their sights on insurers as an opportunistic menace. The result has seen ongoing, radical provincial auto insurance legislation amendments, blossoming tort losses, and new cost pressures at every level of insurance companies. And, in taking the pulse of claims managers and independent adjusters, CU finds this negative public image and its effects are high on the minds of claims managers and adjusters as the industry moves into 2004.
Canadian Insurers’ 3-Q Results Dampened by Large Cat Hits
January 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Canadian property and casualty insurance industry saw its net profit for the third quarter of this year fall by 20% to $517 million compared with the previous quarter’s $644 million. The biggest single cost impact incurred by insurers during…