Peripatetic Rep: Center of the Web
April 1, 2002 AxiomWhen I walked into the golf club’s dining room, the first people I saw were my two broker friends, Bob and Stan. Bob Davies was co-partner in a successful midtown brokerage which placed a lot of business with our insurance…
Coming Events (April 01, 2002)
April 1, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterAnnouncements 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. Institute for Catastrophic Loss…
WHITEN V. PILOT: End of a Saga
April 1, 2002 William Blakeney of Blakeney Henneberry, Baksh & MurphyOn February 22, 2002 the Supreme Court of Canada released its reasons in the landmark case of Whiten v. Pilot Insurance Co., ending a year long cliffhanger for the insurance industry. The appeal was heard on December 14, 2000 and since that time, lawyers and claims professionals alike have pondered the significance of the delay.
Employment Practices Liability at the Bottom
April 1, 2002 Chris Rebchuk, corporate risk underwriter at Company of North AmericaWith the rise of high-profile court cases, particularly in the U.S., employment practices liability (EPL) has become a focus for the industry. The severity of EPL claims is growing, with many wondering when, or if, the trend will reach its peak.
Coming Events (March 01, 2002)
March 1, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterAnnouncements 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. ORIMS Seminar: Risk Management…
Risk Management Precarious Times
March 1, 2002 Vikki Spencer“The world was on September 9th a dangerous place, full of operational and financial risks. What changed was the address of terrorism. Terrorism was no longer simply on TV, it was and is now part of our real lives.” So said David Mair, outgoing president of the Risk and Insurance Management Society following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Certainly the insurance world has been turned on it axis by those events. What was shaping up to be a hardening market was suddenly a market in chaos, and risk managers were left struggling to catch up with rapidly escalating rates, tightening terms and a severe lack of capacity. Added to this is the disappearance of terrorism coverage and the seeming ambivalence of North American governments to the plight of insurers and their commercial policyholders.
Good Faith
March 1, 2002 Sean van Zyl, EditorInsurance contracts are sold by insurers to provide peace of mind to the buying public, the summary decision court papers applying to the Whiten v. Pilot final appeal case indicate. Specifically, the Supreme Court of Canada, which recently upheld $1…
Coming Events (February 01, 2002)
February 1, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterAnnouncements 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. Insurance Institute of Ontario…
Working to Be Smart
February 1, 2002 John Kelly, a law professor at Seneca College & consultant to AlInsurance professionals tend to be well versed with the mechanics of information technology (IT), but lacking on strategic, legal, e-business applications. Much of their exposure to computer hardware and software comes from vendor and technology consultants who are long on technical expertise but short on how to add value in providing insurance services to clients. Consequently, insurance professionals who buy IT may become victims of “bells-and-whistles” sales pitches.
Online Innovation Playing Catchup
February 1, 2002 Andree Ryckman, certified management consultant, Call Centre ConThe story of online insurance has been one of caution and, ultimately, missed opportunities in the past. But are things really changing? Are insurers starting to catch up to banks and other providers of financial services in the online realm? The answer, for the most part, is still “no”. So where does the industry go from here?
Getting Back to Basics
January 1, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterIn the continually evolving world of claims, adjusters are dealing with new pressures daily. The demands of loss cost reduction, increasing customer expectations, changing regulations and technology may, however, cause a return to the foundations of good adjusting. For incoming Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association (OIAA) president Louise Rivett, the keys to adjusting in the new world are simple – good customer relationships and strong knowledge and skill base. With mergers and acquisitions shrinking the marketplace, the pressure is increasing on adjusters to have the right skills and latest knowledge.
The Problem of Partners…
January 1, 2002 AxiomFred Wilson and I leaned into our brushes, sweeping hard in front of the stone as it slowly slid into the 16-foot circle, crept past the 8-foot before finally coming to rest inside the 4-foot ring. A winning shot. We…