Correction (November 01, 2001)

An incorrect reference was made in CU’s August 2001 issue. Gerry Corrigal is past president of the Insurance Brokers of Manitoba (IBAM). IBAM’s new president is Cliff Cook, of Cook & Cook Insurance in Swan River, Manitoba.

Ron Defieux of North Vancouver has been named the 10th annual B.C. Insurance Person of the Year. Defieux is vice president of TOS Insurance Services (North Shore), which recently acquired his firm of Defieux Saxelby Insurance Services. Specializing in marine risks, he has worked in the industry since his high school graduation, opening his own brokerage in 1979. And avid yachtsman, he is highly active in Vancouver’s marine history and yachting circles and has lectured and written on the subject of marine insurance.

Montreal-based B.F. Lorenzetti has become the first Canadian brokerage to qualify for direct access to the Lloyd’s of London insurance market. Under a plan launched this year, Lloyd’s offers non-U.K. brokers the chance to access underwriters directly, rather than going through London brokers. So far, 18 international brokers have been accredited through the program. “Lloyd’s has always enjoyed a special relationship with its Canadian brokers, and we are delighted that a firm of the size and standing of BFL has been accredited,” says Nicholas Smith, president of Lloyd’s Canada Inc.

Not-for-profit and charity groups across Canada can now take advantage of real-time insurance via a new web-based service from Pickering, Ontario’s Phoenix-Eastern Insurance Brokers. The Comprehensive Associations Insurance Program (www.caipinsurance.com) is available directly or through brokers to these organizations, and is underwritten by Lloyd’s of London.

Royal & SunAlliance USA, in partnership with the Spencer Educational Foundation, is establishing a new scholarship in the name of a Canadian risk management pioneer. The Royal & SunAlliance Douglas Barlow Scholarship will provide about $7,500 to students of risk management based on academic excellence. Barlow was a past president of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) and its Ontario chapter (ORIMS), as well as member of the Insurance Hall of Fame. He is also credited with the creation of the concept of “risk”.

The Centre for Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO) has released its new farm standard for personal lines. The organization has also welcomed a new company member, Lombard Canada. With the addition, CSIO now has 55 company members representing 83% of broker-written direct written premiums nationally.

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is getting the word out about auto theft, following a survey that revealed most Winnipeg residents do not see auto theft as a real risk. Through a direct mailing, MPI will be reaching 280,000 households in the city, letting people know that auto theft is on the rise and suggesting strategies to decrease the risk.