Cooke predicts fair future for independent brokers
September 1, 1999 by Canadian Underwriter“The future of the independent broker is up to the independent broker,” says George Cooke president of The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company. A favorable future lies ahead of the independent broker if the members of the profession want…
“DO or DIE”, strategy message is to embrace the TECHNOLOGY FUTURE
September 1, 1999 Sean van Zyl, EditorWhether traditional players in the property and casualty insurance industry continue to hold the lion’s share of business will depend on their willingness to embrace consumer-driven technologies and boost productivity, delegates attending the recently held Strategy Institute conference were told. In particular, the pressure of higher consumer expectations coupled with increased competition from new players to insurance will be felt mostly in the personal lines arena, the speakers warn.
Brokerlink consolidates Vector
September 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterListed broker consolidators Canada Brokerlink Inc. and Vector Intermediaries Inc. have announced their intention to merge operations with netpremium volume of $277 million. The newly formed corporation — expected to retain the Brokerlink brand name — will trade shares with…
Marketing Strides – getting ON TOP
September 1, 1999 Shelley BoyesGiven the breath-taking surroundings, subjects like e-commerce, branding and reducing work-related stress should have been far from the minds of delegates at the 76th Annual Insurance MarketingCommunications Association conference.
that TECHNOLOGY THORN
September 1, 1999 Sean van Zyl, EditorWith the conference and seminar season once again shifting into full drive, the message remains consumerism. Nothing new — the insurance industry has become almost anaesthetized by the repeated urgency to address consumer expectations. However, the latest round of discussions…
Corroon sells Ottawa business
September 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterGlobal broker Willis Canada has divested its Ottawa area commercial accounts to regional broker Binks Insurance Brokers Ltd. in a move industry observers suggest could be a sign of things to come in the commercial brokerage sector. Terms of the…
International trade body turns to financial services COMPETITION
August 1, 1999 Glenn McGillivray, head of corporate communication at Swiss ReinIt is becoming increasingly clear the importance of the financial services sector on the global stage. The recent drive toward globalization of business — coupled with new information technology and the formation of geo-economic and political alliances — have allowed…
Coming Events (August 01, 1999)
August 1, 1999 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. Canadian Insurance Accountants Association:…
Zurich launches retail plan
August 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterPeopleplus Insurance Company, a member of Zurich Financial Services Group, recently announced a partnership with Hudson’s Bay Company to launch a private label car and home insurance program. The group scheme, available exclusively to Bay and Zeller’s credit card holders,…
On The Move (August 01, 1999)
August 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterSt. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co. has announced Doug Wyseman, a leader in the field of risk management for the public sector, has joined the company to establish niche loss control services for its new public sector insurance division.…
Factory Mutuals Finalize Merger
August 1, 1999 Steven Zenofsky, public relations consultant at FM GlobalThere’s a new insurance company on the block with a 165-year history, following the recent merger of commercial/industrial property insurers Allendale Insurance, Arkwright, Protection Mutual Insurance and their affiliate Factory Mutual. The new company will market itself as FM Global.…
Regulating professional Virtue
August 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterRecent years have seen the emergence of ethical issues relating to multi-disciplinary professional firms such as lawyers and accountants. Questions have been raised over the role such organizations play in providing global services to companies such as insurers while maintaining confidentiality of the information handled and thereby avoiding potential conflicts of interest. A recent legal case has drawn a clearer picture of this ethical debate.