“Mobile-first” insurtech may be coming to Canada
January 16, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA San Francisco-based firm calling itself a “mobile-first” property and casualty insurance brokerage might start placing home and auto coverage in Canada. Canadian Underwriter asked Karn Saroya, CEO of Cover Financial Inc., whether his insurtech plans to expand into Canada.…
Hard market? Not so fast.
January 16, 2019 by Jason ContantThe Canadian insurance industry is not at the beginning of a hard market, says Phil Cook, a P&C industry consultant and CEO of Omega Insurance Holdings. “There are some commentators out there that will say we are at the beginning…
Hub’s take on the merger between P&C and employment benefits
January 15, 2019 by Jason ContantAs it continues to expand its employee benefits solutions, Hub International is training its more than 4,000 employees in Canada to articulate that it is not just a property and casualty brokerage. “There’s still a training and development and learning…
How this insurer detects distracted drivers
January 11, 2019 by Greg MeckbachCanada’s largest property and casualty insurer is checking to see whether some of its auto insurance clients are using their phone while driving. If your auto client is insured by Intact under its My Driving Discount program, Intact can detect…
All provinces saw rate increases in Q4 2018: Applied
January 10, 2019 by Jason ContantEvidence of a hard market in personal lines in Canada was apparent in Applied Systems’ latest quarterly Applied Rating Index, released Tuesday. The Q4 2018 index found that average premiums for personal auto and personal property lines increased by more…
Hub buys Quebec commercial brokerage
January 10, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMontreal commercial brokerage Forum Risques et Assurance Inc. has been acquired by Hub International Ltd., Chicago-based Hub announced Thursday. Forum Risques was founded in 2013 by François Jean and Alain Giroux. Its target markets include technology, manufacturing and construction. Jean…
Beginner’s guide to insuring pot
January 9, 2019 by Jason ContantAfter nearly three months of recreational marijuana being legal in Canada, insurers are still trying to wrap their heads around a sector with no track record and lots of uncertainty. For specialist insurer CFC Underwriting, there is still some caution…
Ontario wants to hear from consumers about how to lower auto rates
January 9, 2019 by David GambrillThe Ontario government is inviting drivers and consumers to share their views on how to lower the province’s auto insurance rates, part of a broader initiative on auto insurance reform. “The previous government’s failed system of stretch goals on auto…
What needs to happen before interest rates rise
January 9, 2019 Andy Blatchford - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – The Bank of Canada left its trend-setting interest rate unchanged at 1.75 per cent Wednesday as the sharp decline in oil prices temporarily dims its economic outlook for the coming months. Before long, however, the central bank expects…
Paid Recreational Cannabis Legalization: Are your HR policies ready?
January 9, 2019 David Smagata, DASDid you know, medical cannabis has been legal in Canada since 1999? Since then there have been numerous amendments to the laws, as well as a significant increase in Canadians who have purchased medical cannabis. According to Health Canada…
Why Canadian insurers are reticent to enter the cannabis space
January 8, 2019 by Jason ContantWith signs of a hard insurance market in Canada, it appears that a lot of insurers are still reticent about entering the cannabis space. “When an insurance cycle goes a little bit harder, when insurers are trying to put their…
In defence of public insurance
January 7, 2019 by Jason ContantBritish Columbia’s public auto insurer is challenging the view that opening up the market to competition will create efficiencies and better accident benefits. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) was responding to comments from the Canadian Federation of Independent…