News

Correction (April 01, 2002)

The March 2002 edition of CU improperly referenced the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada. CU apologizes for the error.

March 31, 2002

1 min read

Looking Back… or to the Future?

After almost 10 years to the day since piloting the course of the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), George Anderson has signaled a personal change in course. The long-standing president of the IBC -- who held office during perhaps the "hottest political period" the property and casualty insurance industry faced to date -- has retired, allowing what he describes as "new blood to step forward".

By Sean van Zyl, Editor | March 31, 2002

8 min read

Technology Drives Change in Policy Delivery

Embracing today’s powerful technology can provide solutions to some of the major challenges facing the insurance industry today, including the task of reducing policy handling and delivery expenses, increasing retention rates, cross-selling additional services to clients, supporting distribution channels and building brand awareness. Policy production and delivery costs $4 to $9 per policy — a […]

By Carolyn Horan, president, Informco Inc. | March 31, 2002

4 min read

Cover Story: Showdown at Sundown – Brokers and the hardening price market

While commercial insurance rate adjustments in Canada appear to be tracking the corrections implemented in the U.S. marketplace, pricing adjustments within the Canadian personal lines arena over mainly the last six months would appear to be far more extreme. Indeed, broker commentators from across the country note, personal lines has become a combat field with insurers applying a combination of double-digit rate increases and tightening the noose on terms of coverage. Insurers have also reacted by withdrawing from some regions altogether and otherwise exiting non-profitable lines of business, with "broker review" assessments having become a common occurrence in many provinces. As a result, brokers are experiencing difficulty in maintaining markets they represent, as well as placing new business. Could this environment spark the next flare up of broker consolidations?

By Sean van Zyl, Editor | March 31, 2002

12 min read