Brokers optimistic after Intact’s new Canadian boss takes the helm, CU poll suggests
January 28, 2018 by David GambrillCanadian brokers are optimistic about recent leadership changes at Intact Insurance, their faith based on the new president’s past connections with the broker channel, a Canadian Underwriter poll reveals. Louis Gagnon, Intact’s new president of Canadian operations, is a prominent…
Pilotless planes on the horizon if public acceptance grows, say experts
January 26, 2018 Ross Marowits - THE CANADIAN PRESSMONTREAL – Canadians may not be quite ready to fly on a pilotless aircraft but technological advances in self-driving vehicles are already opening the door to autonomous commercial flight, an increasingly attractive prospect for industry players facing a dearth of…
Ontario technology hubs key for GM Canada’s plans for driverless cars
January 22, 2018 David Paddon - THE CANADIAN PRESSMARKHAM, Ont. – General Motors of Canada sees Ontario’s strength in advanced technologies as strategically important for its plans for creating safe, driverless vehicles in the near future, its CEO said Friday at the launch of a new software centre…
What you need first, before chatbots and blockchain
January 15, 2018 by David GambrillCanadian property and casualty insurers must address their IT data collection systems in order to profit from more IT glamorous solutions such as chatbots, blockchain, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), says Sven Roehl, who facilitates The Cookhouse…
Deal with LOGiQ3 sees U.S. firm acquire Canadian insurtech
January 10, 2018 by Jason ContantRGAx, a subsidiary of Reinsurance Group of America, has acquired a group of companies providing technology, consulting and outsourcing solutions to the North American life and reinsurance industries – including two Canadian organizations. On Jan. 8, RGAx announced the acquisition…
Driverless cars could be coming soon to Ontario roads
January 9, 2018 Allison Jones - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – Ontario drivers could soon find themselves motoring along the highway next to a car with no one in the driver’s seat. The province’s Liberal government is proposing to change the rules of its 10-year automated vehicle pilot project…
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…
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: Lynn Oldfield, President, CEO, AIG Canada
January 2, 2018 Lynn OldfieldAs chair of the board of the Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC), I see graduating insurance professionals who are educated, committed, and inspiring. Their sacrifice and determination in completing their Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP)…
2018 Outlook: Ulrich Kadow, Chief Agent of Canada, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Americas
December 29, 2017 Ulrich KadowAcross all markets, including Canada, pricing levels are generally at historic lows, which in many cases are well below technical pricing recommendations. Globally, recent natural catastrophes have highlighted the increasing frequency and potential severity of major events, potentially leading to…
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,…
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…