The impact of hardening Lloyd’s market on Fairfax
February 20, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA tough Lloyd’s market and California’s worst-ever wildfire led to an underwriting loss for Brit Plc, which Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. acquired in 2015. Fairfax officials faced pointed questions during its recent earnings call from one analyst who suggested…
Insurer CEOs react to hardening commercial market
February 13, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe pace of the hardening market in commercial lines has come as a surprise to some executives at Canada’s largest property and casualty insurer. “We have seen a shift in commercial lines that is pretty abrupt in the past six…
Prominent insurance defence lawyer named as judge
February 5, 2019 by David GambrillInsurance defence lawyer William S. Chalmers, managing partner at Hughes Amys LLP, has been appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Toronto. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1987, Justice Chalmers practised law at Hughes…
MSA Research hires former Guarantee VP as COO
February 1, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMarilyn Horrick, a former executive with The Guarantee Company of North America, is now executive vice president and chief operating officer of MSA Research Inc. The appointment took effect Friday. Toronto-based MSA’s reports include financial information on most of Canada’s…
Why being a broker is the best job ever
January 31, 2019 by Jason ContantThe feeling that their opinions are heard and often implemented is just one of the reasons brokers report being satisfied with their choice of career. “I truly believe that I am a valued professional advisor,” Ryan McKenna, commercial and personal…
How a different mindset can transform the claims industry
January 25, 2019 by Jason ContantThe claims industry would benefit from shifting their thinking on what it takes for claims professionals to do their jobs, speakers said Wednesday at the Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association’s 2019 Claims Conference in Toronto. Think about an employee with 40…
Alberta insurance tech provider acquires Ontario specialty insurer
January 23, 2019 by David GambrillBesurance Corporation, a Calgary-based insurance and technology company, has agreed to acquire Fenchurch General Insurance Company, an Ontario-based specialty insurer that offers insurance programs across Canada. Specifically, Fenchurch provides programs in warranty, trucking, surety and accident and sickness. Its products…
Why your brokerage needs an online presence
January 15, 2019 by Jason ContantBrokerages looking to scale their expertise should focus their efforts online, says the CEO of a Vancouver-based company that helps brokers with automation solutions. “Externally, the new standard of engagement is online,” Jeff McCann, CEO of Digital MGA Marketplace Ltd.,…
B.C. broker banned for misapplying premium funds “for years”
January 11, 2019 by David GambrillA B.C. broker repeatedly in hot water for misapplying thousands of dollars worth of insurance premium funds over several years has had his Level 3 licence permanently revoked. In addition, Insurance Council of B.C. fined Antony Ronald Fransen $7,500 personally…
New, revised CAIB expected by fall
January 10, 2019 by Jason ContantThe Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) is hoping to be able to present a new, revised Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) program to the broker community by this fall. The new content will address 10 broad broker competency areas…
McDougall merges with Barrie, Ontario brokerage
January 9, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMcDougall Insurance Brokers of Belleville, Ont. announced Tuesday it has merged with Barrie-based Dusome Insurance Brokers. The combined firm has 34 offices, including Kingston, Peterborough, Deep River, Pembroke, Orillia, Trenton, Cornwall and Oshawa. Dusome’s 11 employees will join McDougall as…
Paid Recreational Cannabis Legalization: Are your HR policies ready?
January 9, 2019 David Smagata, DASDid you know, medical cannabis has been legal in Canada since 1999? Since then there have been numerous amendments to the laws, as well as a significant increase in Canadians who have purchased medical cannabis. According to Health Canada…