Risk
Brokers serving the bigger Canadian commercial risk pool outside of the mega international corporations say that rising insurance industry profitability has not softened the tough approach of insurers to pricing, terms and availability of coverage. But, with many commercial clients across the corporate earnings spectrum suffering through their third consecutive year of premium increases, there is acknowledgement by insurers of growing "market rate fatigue", brokers add, which is bringing about a slow softening to the pricing of property risks with even a few new underwriters looking to venture into the broader commercial marketplace.
By Craig Harris | September 30, 2003
8 min read
The insistence on errors and omissions (E&O) insurance for virtually any kind of professional exposure has created some waves in this specialty market, particularly for engineers. Poor results, increasing claims and emerging exposures are prompting insurers to aggressively seek rate adjustments, carefully monitor loss trends, and re-evaluate specific coverages for many lines of E&O. In some cases, such as in Alberta, the regulator is beginning to question whether the approach of insurers falls within accepted business boundaries or whether their actions fall under "tied selling".
6 min read
Industry
I tell you, all hell is going to break loose, Dave!” The face of Tony, our company’s human resources manager, reflected the displeasure he was feeling. He was normally a pretty laidback sort of fellow – but not right now. “People are going to say this damn staff survey is my idea! But, like all […]
By Axiom | September 30, 2003
10 min read
It is the largest product liability verdict so far this year - and one unheard of within Canada's kinder legal system. A Florida jury this past August ordered a Wisconsin pool-pump manufacturer to pay US$104 million in compensatory damages to the family of a boy who sustained permanent brain damage after his arm became stuck in a pool drain three years ago. And the whopping $104 million is just the beginning. Further punitive damage awards are reported pending, as the pool pump company was allegedly aware of a manufacturing defect for years, yet did nothing.
By Mark Ram, president of Markel Insurance Co. of Canada | September 30, 2003
The independent adjusting profession is experiencing a period of transition, driven by market demands and legislative considerations. Notably, insurers are under increasing pressure to reduce claims and expense costs, which has added to the challenges before adjusters. And, while new claims handling technology offers cost reduction to both parties through better service and information, true efficiency will only come through cooperation.
By Fred Plant, a partner at Plant Hope Adjusters Ltd. | September 30, 2003
5 min read
Automobile theft costs Canadians close to $1 billion every year. To combat this alarming trend, vehicle owners should adopt a more proactive technological approach to risk management – and the insurer must provide the incentive to do so. Automobile insurance has become an important concern for all Canadians, as increasing costs and accessibility have brought […]
By Serge Laporte, Boomerang Tracking Inc. | September 30, 2003
3 min read
Taking over the presidency of the largest provincial independent brokerage association in the country shortly after what could be called a historic "landslide election" resulting in a new government for Ontario could be a daunting challenge for most people. That, however, is just the beginning of what may appear to the casual observer to be "overwhelming odds" as independent brokers continue to deal with the harsh realities of a "hard market" where insurance availability and pricing have become contentious political issues across Canada. For Doug Grahlman, who will take the helm of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) at the association's annual convention to be held this month, the top priority on his agenda for the year ahead is "communication" - at both the government and consumer levels.
By Sean van Zyl, Editor | September 30, 2003
U.S. property and casualty insurers increased net taxed income for the first half of this year to US$14.5 billion – representing a 3.3 times rise on the US$4.4 billion reported for the same period last year, according to data released by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and the National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII). As […]
September 30, 2003
Auto
A task force established by the premiers of Atlantic Canada has rejected implementing public auto insurance in the region. The “Atlantic Insurance Harmonization Task Force” found “no significant reason to transform the private enterprise delivery system to a government monopoly supplier”. The task force report concluded that a public auto insurance system would not produce […]
1 min read
Broker consolidator Hub International Ltd. (TSX: HBG] has added two U.S. brokerages to its stable: Boston-based Commonwealth Insurance Agency Inc., and New Jersey-based Sondheim & Laughlin. Commonwealth will become part of Hub’s New England “C.J. McCarthy hub”. The new brokerage produces about US$300,000 in annual revenue from mostly homeowners coverage in Massachusetts. The office of […]
We use cookies to make your website experience better. By accepting this notice and continuing to browse our website you confirm you accept our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.
