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,…
Thinking outside the Canvas
August 1, 1999 Lowell ConnThe early 20th century was a revolutionary time for the fine art community, with “modern artists” such as Henri Matisse carrying forward the early exploration attempts of the impressionist painters in testing conventional “realist” theory. In many respects, the modern…
Managing web exposures
August 1, 1999 Marcus Snowden, partner at McCague, Wires, Peacock, Borlack & LlWith e-commerce widely predicted to explode into the mainstream world of business in coming years, the lure of “getting into the ‘net game” before it becomes too late is almost irresistible for most companies. In particular, the Internet is expected…
U.S. debate predicts “E-Revolution” for insurance
August 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterThe property and casualty insurance industry in North America will have to come to grips with the growth in e-commerce — in terms of client demands for cover as well as managing their own exposures to the Internet, a national…
Canadian First-Quarter Weak
August 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterBusiness conditions for the Canadian property and casualty insurance industry remained weak for the first quarter of this year, with auto and personal property showing increased loss ratios across Ontario and Atlantic Canada, says Paul Kovacs in the Insurance Bureau…
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.…
Communicating, with the “Write Stuff”
August 1, 1999 AxiomThe angular figure of our senior underwriting manager emerged from the elevator facing me, and, as usual, Judy’s face was a mirror of her inner feelings. It was also quite clear that these feelings were not too positive. She grunted…
Canadian 1-quarter ratios rise on consolidation costs
July 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterQueensway Financial Holdings Inc. and St. Paul Companies released their first quarter earnings, with both showing results mirroring industry trends. Both companies followed the industry’s alarming trend of rising operating ratios. And while Queensway’s premium volume rose considerably — the…
Counting the PENNIES
July 1, 1999 Sean van Zyl, EditorThe numbers say it all. Canada’s property and casualty insurance industry suffered one of its worst year-on-year performances last year, posting a modest return on investment of 7.1% — nearly half of 1997’s rate of return. Heavy underwriting losses incurred…
99 Canadian Insurance Congress: Marching to new Drummers
July 1, 1999 Lowell Conn & Sean van ZylHeld against the backdrop of the nation’s capital, the 1999 Canadian Insurance Congress — seen as Canada’s premier reinsurer/primary company CEO forum — offered good news to insurers and risk managers on the treaty negotiation front. This year’s reinsurance rates,…
Extreme Perils
June 1, 1999 Sean van Zyl, EditorNatural disasters such as extreme weather, a volcanic eruption or an earthquake, are often quaintly referred to in the insurance world as “Acts of God”, adverse events which are seemingly unexplainable or beyond man’s control. Noticeably, the economic and insurance…
1998 in perspective
June 1, 1999 Don Smith, Chairman of Trac Insurance ServicesLast year I predicted 1998 would bring back a deteriorating trend to the property and casualty insurance industry. In addition to the January ice storm, I felt that the continuing “soft market” would have a negative impact on underwriting results.…