HUON goes online at Kemper
December 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterKemper Canada has gone online with its HUON system, announcing their personal lines automobile and property markets are now being supported by The HUON Solution. “We now have the system to facilitate a winning environment,” says Judy Maddocks, president of…
OSFI’s tough stand on earthquake reserves
December 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), the federal government’s financial services watchdog, is unhappy with the current level of voluntary earthquake reserving committed by property and casualty insurers. OSFI special adviser Julie Dickson indicated at the recently…
Toronto City struck down in bodyshop fight
December 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Supreme Court of Ontario has ruled in favour of insurers who mounted a challenge against a City of Toronto bylaw outlawing insurers from directing their insureds to preferred bodyshops. “This is a big victory for the industry and for…
Thinking Big From Small
December 1, 1999 Sean van Zyl, EditorMost people in the industry think he has lost his marbles, launching a new property and casualty insurance company in Canada from the ground up in what is widely seen as an overcrowded and cutthroat market. To say that Brian…
NOT ALL SPORT UNPROFITABLE
December 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterNot all of the specialty sports lines are unprofitable it appears. General liability coverage has been good business for Canadian managing general underwriters K&K Insurance, who write $50 to $70 million in premiums annually safeguarding teams against litigation surrounding spectator…
The quest for EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT
December 1, 1999 Jacinta Whyte, vice president of the personal insurance divisionThe traditional property and casualty (p&c) insurance industry is moving toward multi-channel distribution. The shift may not be as brisk as some industry observers believe is necessary to blunt the competitive challenge posed by the banks and others, even some traditional broker companies. Still, it is difficult to argue with the success that Canadian brokers are having in retaining customers in the face of an expanded range of distribution options already available.
VICC approves deterrent
December 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterIn a post NAEC media conference, VICC president Henning Norup says the organization has approved its first “after market” anti-theft deterrent system, where the device has been fitted to the vehicle other than the manufacturer. The Autowatch 329 Ti immobilizing…
Cutting to the fat
December 1, 1999 Sean van Zyl, EditorFor those who felt the market conditions of 1999 were worth a good cry over a beer, the year ahead is likely to be a very sober occasion, analysts warn. Results for property and casualty insurers for the final quarter…
COUNTDOWN to a new era
December 1, 1999 Lowell Conn and Sean van ZylThe 1990s will likely go down as the most momentous period in the modern history of the property and casualty insurance industry, a senior executive with experience dating back to the post WWII era recently stated. From “riches to rags,”…
The future of distribution: Keeping our Options Open
December 1, 1999 Doug Davis of Davis Consulting Inc.With increasing attention being brought to bear on the cost of distribution and how to improve competitiveness, insurers and independent brokers alike are repositioning. This, however, is having a noticeable impact on the industry’s “traditional relationships,” leaving many within the industry unsure to the “what”, “where” and “how” of the future of the independent broker profession.
Brokerlink and Vector hit skids
December 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterThe proposed merger between listed broker consolidators Canada Brokerlink Inc. and Vector Intermediaries Inc. has hit some skids, both companies confess while asserting the merger will still carry on as planned. According to Jon Ouellette, Brokerlink’s vice president of operations,…
DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
December 1, 1999 By Lowell ConnMarketing, distribution and technology are no longer separate components of the insurance business, delegates were told at the Institute for International Research’s recently held Distribution & Marketing in Property & Casualty Insurance conference. Multi-distribution channels including call centers and the…