Trisura Guarantee announces new CEO
March 19, 2019 by David GambrillTrisura Guarantee Insurance Company has appointed Chris Sekine as president and CEO. He succeeds Mike George, who will continue to work with Trisura Guarantee on a consulting basis. Sekine has led Trisura Guarantee’s surety group since its inception. He has…
How this broker is binding Lloyd’s policies online
March 19, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA Calgary-based Lloyd’s coverholder has re-launched its website to make it easier for brokers to bind policies for special events without having to deal with a lot of paper forms. PAL Insurance Brokers Canada Ltd. has allowed clients to apply…
What insurtechs can learn from hackathons
March 13, 2019 by Greg MeckbachEditor’s Note: This article has been updated. A previous version incorrectly stated that duuo was launched at Slice Labs’ launch studio in Toronto. CU apologizes for the error. If you want to develop a new digital insurance product, it shouldn’t…
Institute serves up a new look to insurance education
March 12, 2019 by David GambrillPerhaps you have noticed something different lately about some of the course materials for your Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation? If you open up your new textbook for the CIP course, Underwriting Essentials, for example, you will notice something new…
How RSA plans to shore up its personal lines results in Canada
March 11, 2019 by David GambrillExpect RSA in Canada to take remedial underwriting actions in its personal lines portfolio – including auto rate increases of between 3% and 16%, and potentially selected broker cancellations – in order to shore up results after a tough year…
Zurich Canada names new head of property
March 11, 2019 by David GambrillYvonne Steiner has been named head of property for Zurich Canada. She will be a member of the Zurich Canada executive team and report to Zurich Canada CEO Saad Mered, effective Apr. 15. “We are very excited to have a…
How to sell commercial coverage to small businesses
March 8, 2019 by Jason ContantBrokers looking to sell commercial coverage to small businesses need to keep it simple, fast and client-specific, industry professionals told Canadian Underwriter Thursday. Sometimes when buzzwords like artificial intelligence, blockchain and chatbots dominate the conversation, the cart comes before the…
Wildfire catastrophe models need improvement: Reinsurer
March 8, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe world’s second-largest reinsurer is looking for partners in the artificial intelligence space to help the reinsurer get a better idea of how much insured damage future wildfires could cause. Swiss Re is working with the Massachusetts Institute of technology…
How Aviva Canada’s profitability fared in 2018
March 7, 2019 by David GambrillEditor’s Note: This version of the article includes a correction showing that operating profit was flat at £46 million (approximately Cdn$82 million in 2018, and Cdn$78 million in 2017). A previous version incorrectly showed the operating profit of 46 million…
How innovation changes the underwriter’s job
March 6, 2019 by Greg MeckbachTechnology and data will change the underwriter’s job but will not eliminate it, suggests Russell Johnston, chief executive officer for North America of QBE Insurance Group Limited. “At the end of the day, people still make the decisions,” Johnston said…
The insurance implications of digital healthcare
March 5, 2019 by Jason ContantAs the digital healthcare market continues to evolve, the insurance industry in Canada should consider gaps or exclusions in current policies and the need for a bespoke option. Digital healthcare will include a focus on two areas: Telemedicine – remote…
This technology can help attract talent
February 28, 2019 by Greg MeckbachUsing technology like artificial intelligence can help insurers attract the right people and keep them engaged, suggests the head of a major Canadian insurer. “It’s a tough talent market right now across the leading insurance markets in the world. Canada…