What’s New: In Brief (April 08, 2009)

Claudine Davoodi has been appointed director of claims operations in Montreal for Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. Additionally, Richard Viau has been appointed director of Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc.’s global technical services division in Quebec.She will have operational responsibility for the claims operations in Montreal and will assist in leading and directing the growth and market strategies. Davoodi has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry and spent the majority of the past 15 years in senior claims management operations roles in both Ontario and Quebec. Viau has also qualified as a global technical services executive general adjuster. He has more than 35 years of claims and operational management experience, and is licensed in all lines with particular expertise in commercial and industrial property losses.

Totten Insurance Group Inc. has acquired Norac Intermediaries. The acquisition is effective Apr. 1, 2009. Norac is an intermediary specializing in the placement of casualty business for brokers in the province of Quebec. Norac / Totten will now have enhanced markets, higher binding limits and new and broader liability facilities, both international and domestic, according to a release. “The combination of Totten and Norac now makes Groupe Totten one of the largest intermediaries in the province, providing diversified products to its broker partners,” the release notes. “This joining of forces will also enable Totten to provide expanded casualty insurance offerings to the 2,000 brokers they deal with across Canada.