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Coming Events (November 01, 2002)

November 1, 2002 by Canadian Underwriter

Announcements in Coming Events are run free of charge as a service to the industry. Items should be submitted by the first of the month prior to the month in which the announcement is to appear. To post events online,…

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Taking The Good & Bad In Stride

October 1, 2002 Don Ungaro, president of IBABC

While British Columbia escaped much of the auto underwriting hardships experienced by many of the other provinces, impact of the “hard market” has definitely been felt – which has kept brokers busy. The province’s brokers also await the outcome of the B.C. government’s decision regarding deregulation of the basic auto product.

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Mold & Water Damage Claims: Avoiding the Headache

September 1, 2002 Alex Lozecki Sr., president of Environmental Solutions Internati

The industry’s newest catalyst is a four-letter word: MOLD. Should we be alarmed about this sleeping monster? How is it affecting people’s health and that of their children? How did it get here, and why is it growing? Insurers are trying to come to grips with this new threat, at the same time facing claims for incidents that happened perhaps years earlier.

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Reinsurance Broker Perspective: Where are the Good Old Days?

July 1, 2002 Don Alexander of Guy Carpenter Canada

Trying to “crystal ball” the outcome of the upcoming yearend reinsurance renewal season is something I am not going to hazard a chance at. However, based on the dismal company financial returns for 2001, and the “no nonsense” approach of underwriters during the current year, it is safe to say that securing treaties for 2003 will require skillful negotiation.

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North American Insurance Conference: The Perfect Storm

January 1, 2002 by Canadian Underwriter

As Hurricane Michelle raged through the Bahamas, members of the insurance industry from both sides of the border congregated in Florida to assess where the market is headed, post-September 11. Overwhelmingly, speakers agree that despite the 9/11 tragedy, the event has shaken the industry out of complacency. With shrinking reinsurance capacity and lingering doubts about the availability of coverage, insurers and reinsurers alike are moving forward with a resolve to bring both rates back into positive territory and focus on responsible underwriting.

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Claims Management Strategies 2002: A Delicate Balance

January 1, 2002 Vikki Spencer

The insurance industry is at a crossroads, with rates rising, but continuing to be outpaced by claims costs. Technology is a relentless force, offering promise, but also upping the ante on customer service expectations. A survey of top insurer claims staff shows that today’s adjusters walk a fine line between the increasing demands of the customer and the need to reduce costs, between technology’s potential and its potential downfalls. CU asks the experts what new forces threaten this delicate balance moving forward.