On the Scene (June 02, 2007)

The Co-Operators have donated a Bullard T4 thermal imaging camera to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, with a contribution from Staying Alive Inc.The imaging device is used to identify sources of heat in burning buildings. The hottest objects are tagged with blue spot colour, while the Super Red Hot feature allows firefighters to see heat levels by colour. Digital zoom, 2X and 4X, provides improved visibility in applications including hazardous materials, wildfire and search-and-rescue operations.

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Chubb Insurance Doubles Identity Fraud Coverage

Chubb Insurance Company of Canada has doubled its identity fraud coverage limit to $50,000 for expenses related to reestablishing the claimant’s identity.

The insurer has also increased its coverage to include expenses accrued from real estate and mortgage fraud.

Both enhancements take effect immediately to customers with Masterpiece Personal Liability and Masterpiece Family Protection policies.

With no extra cost, Chubb is now including coverage for the legal fees, investigation work and other expenses incurred in addressing mortgage or real estate fraud.

“With growing publicity and concern surrounding real estate and other identity-related fraud, we wanted as many clients as possible to receive the benefit right away,” Paul Morrissette, senior vice-president of personal insurance, said in a statement.

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Stan Griffin, president and CEO of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, and Mark Yakabuski, vice-president, federal affairs & Ontario, IBC, presented a cheque for $1,000 to Carolyn Horan, co-chair of the Women In Insurance Cancer Crusade (WICC). The money was raised by Operation Red Nose in Newmarket-Aurora during the last Christmas season. Operation Red Nose is a designated-driver service that offers a way for holiday partiers to get themselves and their cars home safely. The service is free, but charitable donations are welcomed. Carolyn Horan said: “We thank everyone involved for this donation. One hundred percent of the funds donated will go directly to cancer research. WICC is now in its 11th year and has raised more than $3 million across Canada. Our dream is that one day the property and casualty industry will be known for its contribution to cancer research. We are particularly excited by the synergy with Operation Red Nose and we’d like to thank the IBC for choosing WICC as the charity for Operation Red Nose.”

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B.C. documentary targets teens to reduce auto theft, injuries

The Autoplan Broker Road Safety Program (ABRSP) has funded a documentary targeting B.C. high school students in an attempt to decrease auto theft and auto-related injuries.

A partnership of the Credit Union Insurance Services Association, Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, the ABRSP funded the production as part of its mandate to educate the public, spark positive road safety behaviour change and reduce auto-related injuries, fatalities and crimes.

Stolen Lives will be shown in B.C. high schools this fall, complete with a companion guide intended to spark discussions about drug use and car theft among the students.

While many documentaries focus on the victim, this one has a different spin–it focuses on the thieves, many of whom began stealing cars to support a drug habit, explains an ABRSP release.

“With about 21,000 vehicles stolen and 180 people killed or injured in crashes involving stolen vehicles in 2005 in B.C., auto crime really is an epidemic in this province,” Sharon Knotts, a broker at Autoplan, said.

“If by sponsoring Stolen Lives and getting it out to schools we can educate youth about the real consequences of stealing cars, maybe we can help stop the cycle of tragedy before it begins.”

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It was hockey, er, shinny time again for the annual Kova Cup held March 29 at Moss Park Armoury in Toronto. Aviva Canada employees and Giffin Koerth Forensic Engineering staff started the fun tradition. In the 2007 Kova Cup, the White Team (a.k.a. Aviva and friends) handily won the championship in a clean sweep, winning the first game 16-7 and the second game by a 6-1 score.

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Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. announces major shuffle to senior management

Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. has announced a major shuffle to its senior management with nine appointments. Steve Anderson has been appointed senior vice president, corporate markets and administration. In this role he will oversee the company’s health care management services, risk management services, Claimsalert and auto appraisal services. John McHugh will assume the role of vice president, claims operations-regions, supporting Crawford’s claims services in Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, the Prairies and Quebec. Pat Van Bakel will serve as McHugh’s Ontario counterpart. Greg Smith was named vice president, national programs, and will be charged with (among other responsibilities) redesigning claims intake, file completion and performance measurements. Ken Lloyd has been promoted to assistant vice president, compliance and best practices, addressing such issues as pandemic and disaster planning. He has also been named Crawford’s privacy officer. Brent Hackett has been appointed assistant vice president, catastrophe services and operations, focusing on the continued development of Crawford’s catastrophe team and the support of operational initiatives in the claims services group. Claimsalert’s new assistant vice president is David Nice. Rod McDonald and Reno Daigle were appointed assistant vice presidents of South Western Ontario and North Eastern Ontario, respectively. Rounding out the nine is Jennifer Virley, who has been appointed director, project management.

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BDC Director Retires

After 20 years of service at BDC, Brian K. Hammond, director, risk management and insurance, is retiring.

“During Brian’s time with us, BDC has benefited from his sound advice, and wise counsel on risk management, insurance matters and claim-related problems,” Paul Buron, BDC executive vice-president and chief financial officer, said in a press release.

“In this specialized role, he has earned much deserved respect, both internally and externally, for his technical knowledge and expertise.”

He often served as master of ceremony for company events, in addition to singing, dancing and golfing, Buron added.

“Many who have had the opportunity to work (and play) with Brian will miss his warmth and great sense of humour.”

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The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has donated $500,000 to fund a research facility designed to study the building of safer homes. “Thanks to the IBC, a typical two-story brick house, similar to many homes found in neighbourhoods across Canada, has been constructed for the sole purpose of being slowly destroyed,” says an IBC press release. Located at the University of Western Ontario’s Faculty of Engineering in London, Ontario, over the next few years, the home will be subjected to a variety of severe weather conditions including simulated winds of up to a Category 5 hurricane (200 mph) that will eventually blow the roof off–all in a controlled environment. Researchers will also study the destructive pathways of mould and water.

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Canadian industry representatives at the Risk and Insurance Management Society’s 2007 Conference in New Orleans gathered at the JW Marriott for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Sponsored by CGI Adjusters Inc. and RIMS Canada Council, the gathering allowed people to swap stories and compare notes on the week’s events while sampling culinary treats, and maybe even sipping a glass of wine or Canadian beer.

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The Honourable Order of the Blue Goose International, Ontario Pond held its 7th annual Scotch Nosing on April 5 at the St. Andrew’s Club in Toronto. More than 150 noses attended, including an esteemed panel of judges. Throughout the evening, guest s sampled some of Scotland’s finest single malts and enjoyed the expertise and humorous delivery of Ed Patrick, one of Scotland’s finest international Scotch whiskey experts and the president of the Companions of the Quaich Whisky Appreciation Society. Proceeds of the event were donated to the Sean Corner Benefit Fund. Max Brugger, wielder of the Goose Quill and keeper of the Golden Goose Egg, was on-hand to tell Sean Corner, who was in attendance, that $30,000 had been raised for his benefit fund from the event. Prior to this announcement, Brugger announced that $12,000 had been raised. At that point, Marcus Snowden of Blaney McMurtry Barristers & Solicitors stood up and announced that, on behalf of the partners in his law firm, he was making a matching donation for the $12,000 raised. Snowden’s generosity sparked a spontaneous session of live donations, quickly bringing the grand total to $30,000. The event was sponsored by: Blakeney Henneberry Murphy Barristers & Solicitors; Giffin Koerth Forensic Engineering & Science; Matrix Loss Adjusters; Service-Master and Blouin Dunn LLP.

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The Risk Management Counsel of Canada (RMC), a national network of law firms that works with the insurance industry, recently held its 10th anniversary celebration in the form of a charity casino event at the Docks’ “Next Level” in Toronto. According to the RMC, a decision was made to turn its annual Toronto spring seminar into a more celebratory social evening. “As we contemplated this notion of a 10-year anniversary, we felt that it would be appropriate to give something back to the insurance industry as well as the community at large which has supported us,” RMC said in a statement. WICC (the Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade) was chosen as natural partner for this event. For each person that accepted their invitation to participate, the RMC donated a certain amount to WICC. Domenic Venturo, a partner with RMC member firm Scott Hall LLP, spoke to the audience about the RMC’s 10th anniversary and decision to turn the event into a benefit for WICC. On behalf of the RMC member firms, Venturo presented Michael Butler, WICC board member with a cheque for $10,000.

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More wishes will be coming true this year, thanks to the 13th Annual Insurance Charity Gala in support of Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation. More than 400 generous guests attended the black-tie event at the Hilton Toronto, helping to raise nearly $200,000 for the charity, bringing the cumulative total to more than $2 million.

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CIAA attends the U.S. National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters Annual Conference

The National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters Annual Conference was held May 9-12, in Horseshoe Bay, TX.

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More than 120 industry veterans attended the 48th Annual Reception of the Quarter Century Club, held May 16 at the Hilton International in Toronto. Emcee John Cherrie welcomed members and presided over the “roast” of “business promoter extraordinaire” Ford Blow. Ford started his nearly 40-year insurance industry career at the Halifax Insurance Company and has spent a large part of his career with Cunningham Lindsey, where he is now the Vice President of Business Development.

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The Ontario Risk and Insurance Management Society (ORIMS) recently held its annual general meeting in Toronto, followed by a dinner where Erin Magilton-Morneau took over the presidency position. Magilton-Morneau, director of risk and insurance management for Manulife Financial, served as vice president on the 2006-2007 ORIMS board of directors.

She takes over from Bruce Tainsh, manager of insurance and risk management at Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada.

In her acceptance speech, Magilton-Morneau thanked Tainsh for his dedication to the organization over the past year, and spoke of her enthusiasm for helping to organize the 2008 national conference to be held in Toronto. Entertainment for the evening was “Funk n’ Crawford” Improv Comedy.

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