New DGIG water protection program available country-wide
March 21, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterDesjardins General Insurance Group has announced the cross-country availability of a new home insurance program designed to keep policyholders informed of potential leak sources so that action can be taken and water-related damage prevented. Water damage accounts for more than…
Risk to U.S. property from severe convective storms as high as from hurricanes: Willis Re
March 20, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterSevere convective storms (SCS) posed as much risk to property in the United States as hurricanes between 2003 and 2015, with the average annual loss from SCS amounting to US$11.23 billion compared to US$11.28 billion from hurricanes. So concludes a…
84% of polled insurance companies planning to make acquisitions in 2017: KPMG International
March 17, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe lion’s share of insurance companies taking part in a KPMG International-commissioned survey plan to make acquisitions in 2017, with most respondents saying their companies are being driven by need to transform business and operating models. The insurance sector looks…
Older drivers like active safety features, resist autonomous vehicles: Munich Re survey
March 15, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterA new survey out of the United States exploring the sentiments of older drivers 65 and over shows about half of the respondents would not be comfortable riding in an autonomous vehicle, but they see great value in active safety…
InsurEye adds independent mortgage, credit card consumer reviews to platform
March 15, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe largest Canadian platform for insurance reviews has launched independent consumer reviews for mortgage and credit card products, InsurEye announced Wednesday. “Our platform has already been offering nearly 3,000 home, auto and life insurance reviews to inform Canadian consumers about…
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition launches Canadian website
March 14, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterA new website from the non-profit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) – HomeFireSprinklerCanada.ca – seeks to help increase interest in the life-saving benefits of installed home fire sprinklers in new construction homes. In partnership with and funding from the Co-operators…
Incumbent insurers should rethink businesses, embrace opportunity in digital technology: McKinsey & Company
March 9, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe insurance industry is not impregnable and companies would be well-advised to reinvent themselves by incorporating digital technology and allowing it to become a catalyst, suggests a new report issued Thursday by McKinsey & Company. Some executives “know that staying…
Study: California fault could cause magnitude 7.4 quake
March 8, 2017 The Associated PressSAN DIEGO – An earthquake fault running from San Diego Bay to Los Angeles is capable of producing a magnitude-7.4 earthquake that could affect some of the region’s most densely populated areas, according to a study released Tuesday. The study…
Flood insurance reform bill re-tabled in U.S. congress
March 8, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterA bill aimed at increasing participation by the private sector in the flood insurance market in the United States was tabled Wednesday in the House of Representatives, a U.S. congressman from Florida announced. The Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization…
Most recent Canadian, U.S. actuarial index values reflect continued high frequencies of extreme weather events
March 7, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterOrganizations representing the actuarial profession in Canada and the United States have reported an Actuaries Climate Index (ACI) value for the summer of 2016 of 1.72, the third-highest seasonal level recorded. On Tuesday, the four organizations representing actuaries in the…
Global market for autonomous, assistive safety and comfort vehicle features up to US$26 billion annually by 2025: Bain & Company
March 7, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterAutonomous vehicles are revving up, with Bain & Company Inc. forecasting annual growth of 12% to 14% for the global market of autonomous and assistive safety and comfort features by 2025. That translates to a global B2B market of US$22…
Companies can come to grips with cyber risk, government back-stop may be needed for certain risks: Swiss Re
March 1, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterConcern about cyber resilience is on the rise – as are the potential costs associated with attacks – but insurers and companies should understand steps can be taken to manage the risk, suggests the latest sigma report from Swiss Re…