Risk

Fear Factor

With personal auto insurance rates across the country having peaked almost a year ago, and insurers' financial results now beginning to show consistent strength, the dark cloud of despair that had hung over the Canadian property and casualty insurance industry over recent years seem to be dissipating. However, the political environment surrounding the auto market remains volatile, a panel of insurer CEOs speaking at this years' Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) convention say. And, the "cost of the past" in terms of inadequate reserving, as well as brittle relations between companies, brokers and the insuring public as a result of the steep pricing and lack of coverage availability of the latest hard market, are hurdles that have yet to be overcome, they say.

By Sean van Zyl, Editor | October 31, 2004

7 min read

Pembridge Cuts Back Business in Alberta

While insurer Pembridge is not withdrawing from the Alberta auto market, the company is scaling back its business there. In interview, Pembridge CEO Bob Tisdale said the decision, which has resulted in a significant number of employee lay-offs, was a difficult one to make. “This certainly wasn’t our first choice,” he says. The decision followed […]

October 31, 2004

1 min read

“Status Quo” for Reinsurance Renewals: Aon Re Rendezvous

It should be a case of “status quo” for reinsurance renewals, despite reports of market softening and the impact of hurricanes hitting the U.S. this fall. Speaking at the 3rd annual Aon Re Rendezvous, Aon Re Americas vice chairman Ross McKenzie says the broker accurately forecast modest discounts in the property catastrophe line, on the […]

October 31, 2004

2 min read

Commercial Brokers, Buyers Cite Market Softening

Both risk managers and commercial brokers report further softening across the insurance market for the third quarter of 2004. The RIMS/Advisen Benchmark Survey of North American risk managers finds softening across many lines of business on third quarter renewals, with property, excess and fiduciary liability dropping 2-3%, and general liability and directors’ and officers dropping […]

October 31, 2004

1 min read