What’s new: In brief (October 18, 2004)

The 2004 Saab 9-3 has received the rare distinction of being named a “best pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in both side impact and frontal offset crash tests. This is the first time a car has topped both lists, with the only other vehicle to do so being the Toyota RAV4, an SUV, and only when it was equipped with optional side airbags. The Saab 9-3 comes with standard side curtain airbags that deploy from the roof, as well as airbags that deploy from the side of the car’s front seats.

Japan is bracing for yet another typhoon Tokage which as of late Monday was heading for Okinawa, expected to hit Tuesday. This year has been amongst the worst in Japan’s history for typhoon losses with no less than eight storms making landfall. Typhoon Tokage, which was packing 110 mph winds on Monday, is expected to weaken before it hits mainland Japan.

This year’s North American Insurance Conference, slated for November 6-9 in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, will include Ernie Csiszar, new president of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). The event will also hear from perennial speaker Sean Mooney, chief economist for Guy Carpenter & Co. Inc. and newcomer Fred Ketchen, managing director of equity trading for Scotia McLeod Inc. More information can be found on the www.CanadianUnderwriter.ca events page.