Why it’s ‘time to stop talking’ about the Marshall report
May 6, 2019 by Greg MeckbachTwo years after David Marshall released 30 recommendations for reforming auto insurance in Ontario, it’s time to focus on what the current government is actually proposing, a consultant suggests. “I think it’s time to stop talking about Marshall and focus…
‘It’s triage now’: Cottage Country brokers deal with flood fallout
May 6, 2019 by Adam MalikBrokers in Ontario’s Muskoka region are calling the recent flooding event the worst disaster they’ve ever seen. Both Stephen Darling, president at A.W. Shiers Insurance Brokers, and Adam Caswell, owner of Hutcheson Reynolds & Caswell, said damage is greater and…
Should insurers offer incentive for remote water shut-off?
May 6, 2019 by Greg MeckbachIf your client owns a multi-storey commercial or residential building and installs a system that lets them shut water off immediately if necessary, how easy is it to get a break on insurance? “To the best of our knowledge there…
Hub acquires full-service Saskatchewan brokerage
May 6, 2019 by Jason ContantGlobal insurance brokerage Hub International announced Monday it has acquired the assets of Saskatchewan brokerage Kelliher Agencies. Headquartered in Kelliher, Sask., the brokerage is a full-service, independent insurance brokerage that provides personal, commercial, farm and specialty products insurance. “Its focus…
Intact’s BrokerLink makes double acquisition
May 3, 2019 by Jason ContantBrokerLink has announced the acquisition of two brokerages: the Athabasca, Alta. branch of JDR Insurance and Guelph, Ont.-based Amplex Insurance Brokers Ltd. Both transactions were effective May 1 and terms of the transactions were not disclosed, BrokerLink said in a…
Is Ontario about to see electronic pink slips?
May 3, 2019 by Jason ContantIs electronic proof of auto insurance (EPAI) just around the corner in Ontario? Industry scuttlebutt is that the new Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) will allow the use of EPAI this summer, possibly as early as June. Canadian…
How brokers personally assist during floods
May 2, 2019 by Jason ContantThe flooding last year in Grand Forks, B.C. was a prime example of how an insurance broker provides more than just policy advice and advocacy when disaster strikes. A broker could provide money upfront for additional living expenses, emotional support…
2018 ‘not a good year’ for Canadian P&C insurers: IBC
May 2, 2019 by Greg MeckbachWeak investment results and problems with auto insurance in most provinces were among the factors leading to a bad year for insurers in 2018, Insurance Bureau of Canada’s chairman suggests. “Last year was not a good year for the property…
How Quebec floods are challenging adjusters
May 1, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMany homes flooded in Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Que. will be total losses and may not have overland flood coverage, a vice president for an independent adjusting firm suggests. Claims adjusting firm ClaimsPro is involved in about 2,000 flood claims from April in…
Tips for your cyber clients on creating stronger passwords
May 1, 2019 by Jason ContantBrokers advising their clients on cyber security should inform them that re-using passwords – or using passwords in the first place – is not the best practice. “Passwords still have their use, but not as a way to uniquely verify…
Regulator allows out-of-province adjusters into Quebec
May 1, 2019 by Jason ContantQuebec’s financial regulator has temporarily relaxed some of its rules to allow out-of-province adjusters into the province to help deal with a large number of claims. The Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) announced the change before the province began experiencing…
Easy advice to help protect your clients against cyber attacks
April 30, 2019 by Jason ContantWhat’s one easy piece of advice you can provide to your clients to help protect them from cyber-attacks? Change your passwords. Nearly one-third (30%) of people in Canada and the United States use the same passwords for all or most…