The key for brokers to stand out from the competition
June 11, 2018 by Greg MeckbachFor property and casualty insurance brokers, providing “exceptional customer service” is at least as important as the insurance products themselves, suggests one underwriter. “There are a lot of people out there who sell insurance,” Jenny Hallahan, manager of underwriting for…
From days to minutes: New tech overhauls quote and bind process
June 10, 2018 by Jason ContantThe launch of the new broker technology Vyne will eliminate some of the “inefficient steps” that brokers have to take between quoting and binding, potentially reducing the quote and bind process from days or weeks to just minutes, the company…
New CEO for Everest Insurance Company of Canada
June 6, 2018 by Greg MeckbachDarin Scanzano will be the new CEO of Everest Insurance Company of Canada effective this summer, Everest Re Group Ltd. announced Wednesday. Scanzano will be based in Toronto and report to David Sandler, head of the Everest Insurance Risk Management…
Government-backed home flood insurance coming to Canada?
June 3, 2018 by Greg MeckbachFederal government officials are pondering a flood insurance system similar to Britain’s two-year old Flood Re, an Insurance Bureau of Canada official suggested Thursday. Federal public safety minister Ralph Goodale “asked IBC to lead a working that will deliver recommendations…
New CEO for Swiss Re Canada, as Scotti moves into new role
June 1, 2018 by Greg MeckbachVeronica Scotti, president and CEO of Swiss Re Canada, has been appointed chairperson of global partnerships for the reinsurer. Scotti has been Swiss Re Canada CEO since 2015, when she replaced Sharon Ludlow. Scotti joined Swiss Re in London, England…
Ugly trend in auto claims so far this year: OSFI data
May 30, 2018 by David GambrillFederally regulated Canadian property and casualty insurers have paid out $535 million more in auto claims during the first quarter of 2018 than they did during the same period last year, according to financial results posted by Canada’s solvency regulator.…
How demand in Canada factored into merger of two Lloyd’s brokers
May 29, 2018 by Jason ContantAn increased demand from Canadian brokers for more “problem-solving” insurance solutions, such as specialist cyber coverage, is a factor behind the recent merger between Endeavour Insurance Services and SSL Insurance Group. Lloyd’s broker and delegated authority specialist Endeavour recently announced…
What Fairfax’s CEO is saying about interest rates
May 19, 2018 by Greg MeckbachAs Canadian insurers struggle with auto claims and weather-related losses, relief may be in sight in the form of interest rate increases. “We think interest rates will go up over time because the economy of the U.S. is doing very…
How long will it take before distracted driving campaigns take hold?
May 16, 2018 by Jason ContantSimilar to drunk driving campaigns that took years to take hold before people realized others were getting injured or killed and that it was unacceptable, distracted driving campaigns may also take a while to fully work, Aviva Canada’s chief underwriting…
How fear of ‘jackbooted brownshirts’ complicates cyber risk management
May 11, 2018 by Greg MeckbachManaging the risk posed by the “dark web” is made all the more difficult by some people’s mistrust of police, a former top Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer suggested Thursday. “Cyber crime requires a different approach than just the preventative…
Insurers investing in AI can boost revenues by double digits: Accenture study
May 10, 2018 by Jason ContantInsurers that invest in artificial intelligence (AI) and human-machine collaboration at the same rate as “top-performing” businesses could, over the next five years, boost their revenues 17% and their employment 7% on average, according to new research by professional services…
Canadian Broker Network sells South Western Group Ltd. to MGA investment group
May 7, 2018 by David GambrillCanadian Broker Network (CBN), a network of independent insurance brokers, has sold managing general agent South Western Insurance Group Limited (SWG) to Three Holdings Inc. CBN said the transaction will allow its member brokerages to focus their efforts on creating…