The Herculean task required to reduce liability claims involving autonomous vehicles
July 30, 2020 by Adam MalikAutonomous vehicles need their own space to operate, a report says, and auto executives agree that putting them on the same roads as human-driven cars in a mixed-use environment will only increase liability claims. “As autonomous technology develops and matures,…
What risks keep mining clients up at night?
July 20, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf you have clients in the mining sector, chances are their biggest concerns are how much their customers will pay for their products and how easily they can raise investment capital. Commodity prices and access to capital placed first and…
Brokers urged to plan now for eventual return to the office
May 4, 2020 by David GambrillCanadian brokers are now turning their minds towards returning back to the office safely while the novel coronavirus pandemic is still underway and a vaccine has yet to be developed. Brokerages across Canada will need to be aware of what…
The impact of the pandemic on insurance mergers
March 24, 2020 by Greg MeckbachBrokerages negotiating a merger or acquisition don’t have to stop because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Canadian M&A advisor suggests. “A good deal can get done. I suspect it may take a bit longer,” said Georges Pigeon (pictured), Montreal-based deal…
How Canada’s insurance industry fares in diversity & inclusion
December 19, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe industry is not “horrible” when it comes to diversity and inclusion but more can be done, speakers suggested at KPMG Canada’s recent insurance conference. Diversity and inclusion have to be “directed from the very top,” said Heather Masterson, president…
Why you need to consider open banking
December 11, 2019 by Greg MeckbachAs open banking makes it easier for other players to access your clients’ financial data, now is the time for insurance professionals start thinking about how they can take advantage of this new model, an actuary advises. “A number of…
Three reasons fintech is driving brokerage acquisitions
December 11, 2019 by Greg MeckbachDisruption by fintechs will be one driving force behind mergers and acquisitions among insurance brokerages, industry executives say.“I think fintech will help perpetuate this continued consolidation trend because I think at the small end of the market, fintech is viewed…
Why your brokerage could be an attractive takeover target
December 2, 2019 by Greg MeckbachWhen private equity players are looking to buy firms they think are “recession proof” and brokerage owners reach retirement age, it’s a recipe for more mergers and acquisitions, insurance professionals heard last week at KPMG Canada’s 28th annual insurance conference.…
What to plan for when brokerages merge
November 29, 2019 by Greg MeckbachIf you manage a brokerage that has merged, don’t forget to tell every employee why the transaction took place and what the end goal is, brokerage leaders who have been through the process said Thursday. “I don’t think, in any…
When OSFI will talk to industry about draft reinsurance rules
November 29, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe federal insurance regulator – silent during the election campaign on proposed changes to reinsurance – plans to talk to the industry after the holidays, a senior official with the federal Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) said…
How online policy administration could put brokers at risk
October 18, 2019 by Greg MeckbachWhen clients want to make policy changes online, brokers have a vested interest in being in the loop, suggests a consultant who advises insurance companies. More customers these days are expecting their insurance providers to give them the same kind…
Why risk managers need to go beyond heat maps
August 15, 2019 by Greg MeckbachRisk managers using colour-coded heat maps may be pressed by their bosses for more specific information on their exposures, a new risk management expert at KPMG Canada suggests. Heat maps are a way for risk managers to report risks to…