Moves & Views (April 01, 2009)

1 The most recent CanadianUnderwriter.ca poll asked: Should Canadian insurers be looking into the possibility of providing overland flood coverage under a basic homeowner’s policy? As of press time, 68.33% of the 120 respondents said “yes” and 31.67% said “no.”

2 Danielle Boulet has been appointed chair of the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR). Boulet, superintendent of solvency for the Autorit des marchs financiers (AMF), served as CCIR vice-chair for the past two years. “It is with enthusiasm that I step into this role with a commitment to move forward with the objectives set out in CCIR’s Strategic Plan, so that we can pursue the development and implementation of harmonized regulation and enhance consumer protection, a task that is particularly essential given the current economic environment,” Boulet says in a release. “It is critical for an organization such as CCIR to help strengthen financial market stability and foster efficient market growth. We must adapt to an ever-changing industry to ensure greater protection of consumers of insurance products and services.”

3 The Ontario Pond of the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose has launched a redesign of its Web site. The new site has many new features, including the 100th Anniversary magazine available as a PDF (found on the About US page); all Past Most Loyal Ganders for the last 100 years (on the Membership page); a slide show, downloadable 3D software and individual photos (available on the Gallery page); and up-and-coming events with either PDF or Word documents for RSVPing (on the Events page). To explore the newly redesigned site, visit www.bluegooseontario.org

4 Brokers can now download Lombard Canada Ltd.’s Business Choice renewal policy directly into Keal Technology’s commercial management system (CMS), comXPTM, using Commercial LINCQ. The commercial integration product is the first of its kind in Canada, according to a Keal Technology release. The integration is designed to eliminate duplicate entry, allowing brokers more time to focus on customer service and growing business.

5 The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) is renewing its sponsorship agreement with professional golfer Richard Scott. The 25-year-old Kingsville, Ontario native went professional in 2006 after winning three Canadian Men’s Amateur Golf Championships. He become only the sixth player in more than 100 years to win three titles. Scott tied for 12th spot during the first stage of the PGA Qualifying School held in McKinney, Texas. He just missed the cut for the final round, finishing with a score of 280, eight under par, tying him for 21st — one spot shy of qualifying. “We are thrilled to continue this great partnership,” said IBAO CEO Randy Carroll. “Richard has joined our brokers at many charitable events and continues to support our ongoing partnership with OSAID. He’s a wonderful role model for students across the province and we wish him great success this season.”

6 A new broker organization in Quebec dedicated to advancing the particular concerns of independent brokers, La fdration des courtiers d’assurance indpendants du Qubec (FCAIQ), has launched a recruiting campaign. “In view of the fact that the status of the fully independent brokerage firm has been in regression for many years, the FCAIQ is being formed to promote consumer awareness and better distinguish the independent insurance brokerage firms,” the non-profit organization says on its Web site. The FCAIQ says many aspects of its activities would be of general interest to all types of brokerage firms. “Therefore, the Federation considers the RCCAQ (Regroupement des cabinets de courtage d’assurance du Qubec) as an essential partner for all brokerage firms and intends to evolve in collaboration with them,” the Web site says. But the FCAIQ maintains it is different from the RCCAQ because “RCCAQ’s global organization does not allow brokerage firms, which are fully independent, to debate together on various confidential subjects pertaining to their unique status and their future.” The organization also says its activities do not reflect on the relationship between independent brokers and insurance carriers.

7 Aviva Canada has teamed up with Thinkfirst Canada to deliver Aviva Brain Day in Grade 5 classrooms across the country. Aviva Brain Day, which promotes brain and spinal cord injury prevention, is a half-day of hands-on sessions teaching students how their brains and spinal cords work; what happens when they are damaged; and how they can protect themselves and their friends from injury. “Preventing up to 88% of brain injuries, a bike helmet is really like insurance for your brain,” said Aviva Canada CEO Robin Spencer.

8 The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is teaming up with an Ontario municipality to determine whether or not rain barrels can help keep basements dry during intense rainstorms. More than 1,000 free barrels will be made available to homeowners in Wingham, Ontario through the IBC/Wingham Rain Barrel Pilot Project, conducted by IBC and the Township of North Huron. The Township of North Huron has installed a weather station tracking device to monitor the intensity and temperature of rainfall around the clock. In addition, the station will be used to determine whether or not the use of rain barrels reduces the number of sewer back-ups and overflows linked to each rainfall. Because rain barrels contribute to water conservation, the pilot will also keep track of reductions in the use of treated water, IBC says.

9 Captain John Hosty has been appointed director for the new health, safety, environmental training and emergency response branch for Environmental Solutions Remediation Services. Hosty will be responsible for the development and implementation of a broad range of health and safety and environmental response training and emergency response planning services. They include: hazardous materials handling; regulatory compliance; spill and emergency response; and confined space management.

10 Guy Carpenter & Company LLC, a global risk and reinsurance specialist, has agreed to acquire John B. Collins Associates Inc. (Collins), a privately held company and the seventh largest reinsurance intermediary in the world. Established in 1987, Collins is a privately held company that places reinsurance coverage for companies in the property and casualty, life, and accident and health insurance markets. Collins has several specialty areas: professional liability, workers’ compensation, commercial earthquake, Florida property catastrophe, programs, industry loss warranties and governmental programs. “I am very excited by the prospect of acquiring an organization with such an impressive track record of growth,” Guy Carpenter president and CEO Peter Zaffino says. Following the closing of the transaction, Collins will serve as vice chairman of Guy Carpenter and Patrick Denzer, CEO of Collins, will serve as chairman of Guy Carpenter Americas. The transaction is expected to close early in 2009 Q2, following receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other closing conditions.