Government of Canada creates expert panel on climate change adaptation
August 29, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Government of Canada announced on Tuesday that it is creating an expert panel on adapting to climate change. Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced the launch of the Expert Panel on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Results in a statement from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The expert panel will advise the federal government on measuring progress on adaptation and climate resilience to better understand how federal, provincial and territorial adaptation efforts are building Canada’s resilience to climate change, for…
Home telematics startup Roost closes second round of funding with investments from Desjardins Insurance and Aviva Ventures
August 23, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterRoost, a U.S.-based innovator in smart home telematics for the insurance industry, announced on Wednesday it has closed its second round of funding with US$10.4 million in investments from three companies, including Desjardins Insurance. The US$10.4 million Series B funding includes strategic investments from three companies, led by Aviva Ventures, with participation from Desjardins Insurance and Fosun RZ Capital in China, noted information from Sunnyvale, Calif.-headquartered Roost. Existing investors also participated in the round, bringing total funding to date to US$17 million.…
B.C. Green Party leader to re-introduce ridesharing legislation in the fall
August 22, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe leader of the BC Green Party said on Monday that he will re-introduce legislation this fall to enable ridesharing in the province.
Andrew Weaver said in a press release that he has twice introduced the Ridesharing Enabling Act, once in April 2016 and again in February 2017.
“All parties want to see B.C. be a leader in the emerging economy,” Weaver said in the release. “To do so, government must take a proactive, responsive approach that considers the wide ranging impacts of technological innovation. Vancouver is the largest…
Accenture launches “Liquid Studio” in Toronto to help clients accelerate digital transformation
August 18, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterGlobal professional services company Accenture has opened a new “Liquid Studio” in Toronto to help clients “to turn ideas into innovative applications and solutions with speed and agility.” The Liquid Studio uses rapid development approaches, including agile methodologies and DevOps…
Proposed model law could beef up U.S. insurers’ cyber risk management
August 17, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterNew cyber-related obligations being proposed south of the border, if approved, could promote more rigorous cyber risk management practices in the U.S. insurance market, Fitch Ratings suggests. The CyberSecurity Working Group of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has…
Allstate Canada expands UBI program Drivewise into Nova Scotia after “great success” in Alberta and Ontario
August 15, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Allstate Insurance Company of Canada announced on Monday that it is expanding its usage-based insurance (UBI) program Drivewise in Nova Scotia “after experiencing great success in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario.” Drivewise rewards those who exhibit safe driving…
Roger Dunbar appointed to lead Sonnet
August 11, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterSonnet Insurance Company announced on Friday that Roger Dunbar has been appointed to lead the company, Economical Insurance’s digital direct channel, effective Monday, Aug. 14. “With a career focused on digital innovation and improved customer experience, Dunbar will lead a…
Global insurance M&A hits two-year low: Clyde and Co report
August 4, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe volume of completed mergers and acquisitions (M&A) worldwide in the insurance industry continued its downward trend, with 170 deals in the first six months of 2017 compared to 186 in the preceding period, according to a new report from…
Ontario and Michigan launch North America’s first cross-border automated vehicle test drive
July 31, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterOntario and Michigan are completing North America’s first cross-border automated vehicle test drive, Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) reported on Monday. The test drive began in Detroit and will continue from the Ontario cities of Windsor and Sarnia before crossing…
Record breaking US$6.3 billion of non-life property cat issuance in Q2 sees ILS reach “critical juncture:” Willis Towers Watson Securities
July 28, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterNon-life insurance-linked securities (ILS) issuance reached a record breaking US$6.3 billion in Q2 2017, continuing the trend from the first quarter of the year, Willis Towers Watson Securities’ said in its latest ILS Market Update, released on Friday. ILS assets…
Some seasonal small businesses have no insurance coverage heading into summer
July 27, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterSeasonal businesses need the same risk coverage as year-round operations and busy small business owners should ensure they are appropriately protected as the summer season kicks into high gear, advises TruShield Insurance. Pointing out that small business owners are starved…
Artificial intelligence saw record high investments in Canada in past five years: report
July 26, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterArtificial Intelligence (AI) attracted US$162 million in investments across 12 deals in the first half of 2017, the highest amount of funding in Canada in the past five years, according to the quarterly MoneyTree Canada Report from PwC Canada and…