How to make money during an unprofitable market
January 24, 2019 by David GambrillAs market conditions start to become more challenging in personal home, auto and commercial property lines, how can carriers and brokerages maintain a healthy, profitable book of business? “To me, there are three possible strategies,” says Greg McCutcheon, president of…
Alberta insurance tech provider acquires Ontario specialty insurer
January 23, 2019 by David GambrillBesurance Corporation, a Calgary-based insurance and technology company, has agreed to acquire Fenchurch General Insurance Company, an Ontario-based specialty insurer that offers insurance programs across Canada. Specifically, Fenchurch provides programs in warranty, trucking, surety and accident and sickness. Its products…
Hard market? Not so fast.
January 16, 2019 by Jason ContantThe Canadian insurance industry is not at the beginning of a hard market, says Phil Cook, a P&C industry consultant and CEO of Omega Insurance Holdings. “There are some commentators out there that will say we are at the beginning…
Beginner’s guide to insuring pot
January 9, 2019 by Jason ContantAfter nearly three months of recreational marijuana being legal in Canada, insurers are still trying to wrap their heads around a sector with no track record and lots of uncertainty. For specialist insurer CFC Underwriting, there is still some caution…
The first priority for the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario
January 9, 2019 by Greg MeckbachReforming auto insurance is top of mind for Jeff Gatcke, the new president of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario. “Our Number 1 priority would be working with insurance companies and the government on changes to the auto insurance product…
Why Canadian insurers are reticent to enter the cannabis space
January 8, 2019 by Jason ContantWith signs of a hard insurance market in Canada, it appears that a lot of insurers are still reticent about entering the cannabis space. “When an insurance cycle goes a little bit harder, when insurers are trying to put their…
2019 Executive Outlook | Martin Thompson, RSA Canada
January 4, 2019 Canadian UnderwriterCanadian Underwriter approached Canadian P&C industry executives with two questions: 1) What is the single most important change the industry must make looking forward into 2019? 2) How might this change be brought about? Their answers, featured in our 2019…
Calgary claims vendor now owned by CoreLogic
December 19, 2018 by Greg MeckbachCoreLogic Inc. announced Wednesday it has closed its acquisition of Symbility Solutions Inc. Irvine, Calif.-based CoreLogic – which provides risk data on properties to property and casualty insurers – already owned 28% of Symbility, a Calgary-based vendor of claims processing…
What could stop insurers from being ‘uberized’
December 7, 2018 by Greg MeckbachAmazon and Google may disrupt the insurance industry some day, but don’t expect either of these firms to start underwriting, suggests the head of one of Canada’s largest property and casualty insurers. “The Googles and Amazons of this world might…
Why A.M. Best gave the global reinsurance segment a ‘stable’ outlook
December 6, 2018 by David GambrillCORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that A.M. Best had changed its outlook for the global reinsurance sector from ‘Stable’ to ‘Negative.’ In fact, the outlook changed to ‘Stable’ from ‘Negative.’ Canadian Underwriter apologizes for the error.…
An insurer’s take on the multi-solution era of data exchange
December 3, 2018 by David GambrillAn old adage states that a broker must be able to communicate with clients in the way in which the clients wish to communicate – be it through online portals, telephone, email, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Similarly, in a multi-solution era…
Why brokers need to talk about ransomware
November 28, 2018 by Jason ContantRansomware attacks are increasing, and as a result, there will likely be a shift in brokers and clients alike starting to recognize the value of the business interruption component of a cyber insurance policy, a specialist insurer said Monday. “Cybercrime…