How recreational cannabis has created numerous challenges for insurers
March 14, 2019 by Greg MeckbachCannabis legalization is making things more complex for auto insurers and increasing risk for some commercial property clients, A.M. Best Company Inc. suggests in a recent report. About 25 insurers, most of whom are non-admitted, provide coverage for cannabis risks…
Renowned independent broker returns to the big stage with a new brokerage
March 13, 2019 by David GambrillA big name in Manitoba’s independent brokerage community, Peter Leipsic, is making a return to the scene as a senior partner at a new brokerage called Dimensions Insurance Management Inc. He was executive vice president at Horizon Insurance (the province’s…
How RSA plans to shore up its personal lines results in Canada
March 11, 2019 by David GambrillExpect RSA in Canada to take remedial underwriting actions in its personal lines portfolio – including auto rate increases of between 3% and 16%, and potentially selected broker cancellations – in order to shore up results after a tough year…
Zurich Canada names new head of property
March 11, 2019 by David GambrillYvonne Steiner has been named head of property for Zurich Canada. She will be a member of the Zurich Canada executive team and report to Zurich Canada CEO Saad Mered, effective Apr. 15. “We are very excited to have a…
What hard market in liquor liability means for clients
March 11, 2019 by Greg MeckbachClients planning St. Patrick’s Day celebrations may find themselves short on luck when it comes to insurance coverage. It’s becoming more difficult for clients to get insurance for liquor-related losses with the terms they need, one managing general agent observes.…
How to sell commercial coverage to small businesses
March 8, 2019 by Jason ContantBrokers looking to sell commercial coverage to small businesses need to keep it simple, fast and client-specific, industry professionals told Canadian Underwriter Thursday. Sometimes when buzzwords like artificial intelligence, blockchain and chatbots dominate the conversation, the cart comes before the…
How Aviva Canada’s profitability fared in 2018
March 7, 2019 by David GambrillEditor’s Note: This version of the article includes a correction showing that operating profit was flat at £46 million (approximately Cdn$82 million in 2018, and Cdn$78 million in 2017). A previous version incorrectly showed the operating profit of 46 million…
The insurance implications of digital healthcare
March 5, 2019 by Jason ContantAs the digital healthcare market continues to evolve, the insurance industry in Canada should consider gaps or exclusions in current policies and the need for a bespoke option. Digital healthcare will include a focus on two areas: Telemedicine – remote…
This technology can help attract talent
February 28, 2019 by Greg MeckbachUsing technology like artificial intelligence can help insurers attract the right people and keep them engaged, suggests the head of a major Canadian insurer. “It’s a tough talent market right now across the leading insurance markets in the world. Canada…
Why the insurance industry needs a “killer use case” for blockchain
February 28, 2019 by Jason ContantThe insurance industry needs a “killer use case” for blockchain that all stakeholders can agree on before moving forward with more widespread adoption, a speaker suggested Wednesday at the Insurance-Canada.ca Technology Conference. “I think we are still on that journey…
What real-time, broker-carrier connectivity might cost
February 27, 2019 by David GambrillNinety insurance companies working with Ontario’s broker channel would be looking at a total investment of $4 billion over five years to conform to the CSIO XML standards required for an industry-wide, real-time data exchange solution between brokers and carriers.…
This global carrier could re-enter the Canadian retail insurance market
February 27, 2019 by Greg MeckbachSeventeen years after selling its personal lines business to the insurer now known as Intact, Zurich Canada has ambitions to re-enter the “retail” space, but it remains to be seen how it would do that or what form it would…