Brokers: Choosing Your Competitive Ground
October 1, 2000 by Canadian UnderwriterBelieve it or not, you choose your competition and playing field. You choose to compete in a specific field and with specific players. If you choose a field better known to others than yourself, you will be playing at a…
Connecting: Are insurers losing the e-commerce race?
October 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerThe time for discussion is over where e-commerce is concerned, delegates to the recently held E-Strategy “Super Summit” in Toronto were told. Notions that the Internet is a “passing fad” have to be put aside, as consumer expectations push the…
Future REGULATION in Ontario–an industry perspective
October 1, 2000 by Canadian UnderwriterInsurance regulation is required to protect the interests of consumers. As our industry evolves, calls for common standards and a ‘level playing field’ for the industry continue. When considering changes and new regulatory structures, I believe we would be well…
BEHIND THE SCENES: forensic entomology
October 1, 2000 Dael Morris, a forensic entomologist at Insect InvestigationsForensic investigation is hardly an unknown field to the insurance industry. However, an area that seems to garner little attention in claim investigation procedures is forensic entomology — which could save insurers and insureds millions of dollars. Bug investigations? You have to be kidding. But, as the following case study reveals, insects can reveal many secrets in the process of claims investigation.
GOING FOR THE NICHE APPLE
September 1, 2000 Mike Wills, leader of Royal & SunAlliance's Specialty SolutionsGlobalisation has created an expanded market in Canada for specialty niche lines of business. Products such as alternative risk financing or equipment maintenance management which have historically been unavailable in Canada either because the market was too small to support such activity, or large insurers were reluctant to break new ground, are now washing up on Canadian shores.
Developing risk management: POSITIVE REFLECTIONS
September 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerIf experience is required, then Rich Whitehouse is the right choice to host the silver anniversary of the Canadian Risk and Insurance Management Society’s conference. As a delegate at the first conference 25 years ago, he is in a unique…
BUSINESS DISRUPTION: Risk Management for SMEs
September 1, 2000 Sean van Zyl, EditorEstimates suggest that roughly 65% of Canadian small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) engaged in manufacturing currently do not have equipment breakdown coverage, according to research by the Boiler Insurance and Inspection Company of Canada (BI&I). Clearly the owners of…
Risk Management: DANGER OF THE CYBER DEEP
September 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerCounting the costs of risks associated with the rapid rise of computer technology is no simple task, say risk managers. But, recent surveys say “cyber risks” will be the next big challenge. Are today’s risk managers prepared to stay afloat in these dangerous waters, or will they be sitting ducks?
Empowering leadership in the “technology millennium”
August 1, 2000 Sean van Zyl, EditorReforming company management structures to deal with the rapidly evolving marketplaces of financial services formed the central focus of the International Insurance Association Inc.’s (IIA) 36th annual conference, which was recently held in Vancouver. The prime drivers of change impacting…
Professional Development: STAYING THE COURSE
August 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerRegulatory harmonization, multi-licensing, mergers and consolidations. In a world of rapid change, ongoing education has become a key survival tool of the new insurance landscape. Whether driven by consumers, regulators or employers, the trend is moving toward increasingly higher levels…
Better Insuring With Information
August 1, 2000 David Yeo, Ph.D., senior business solutions specialist of data mThere’s an old saying “what you don’t know can’t hurt you.” But, in the insurance business today, this adage no longer holds true–what you don’t know can definitely hurt your organization’s bottom-line. The danger comes in not knowing some of…
Sales Inducements: Let’s make a deal
July 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerThe rise of direct insurers has energized discussion about regulating product sales inducements. While many brokers fight to maintain the prohibition on inducements, others are asking the question, “who are we protecting?” And regulators are starting to respond, rewriting the…