Risk

Communication Sins…

Good to see you!” The smiled greeting came to me and my boss, Fred Wilson, from the president of the national industry association. The occasion was the official opening of the association’s new office, located in one of the city’s shining high rise towers. Fred was the manager of our insurance company’s downtown branch. As […]

March 31, 2005

10 min read

National Broker Review: Flying High?

2005 would seem to be the "year of the broker" with total premiums in Canada having more than doubled over the past four years, prices now declining, and coverage availability rising in both personal and commercial lines. And, perhaps best of all, brokers countrywide report a significant drop in public hostility with much higher customer retention levels. The exuberance emanating from independent brokers suggests the profession is "flying high" after having been tested by what many in the insurance industry regard as the toughest market cycle yet experienced. However, brokers remain aware of the industry's vagarious business cycle - which like an unpredictable air current can cause those daring to ride it to soar or crash.

March 31, 2005

13 min read

Insurers’ 2004 performance suggests “growth peak”

The final 2004 financial results of the Canadian property and casualty insurance industry – as compiled by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) – point to a future decline in premium growth as well as reduced operating margins, the bureau’s chief economist Jane Voll predicted at the recently held Swiss Re Co. of Canada annual […]

March 31, 2005

3 min read

AIG admits to improper Gen Re reporting

AIG has admitted that finite reinsurance transactions dating back to 2000-2001 regarding Berkshire Hathaway’s Gen Re were improperly documented, and as such, the company would be even later in filing its 10-K annual financial reports. AIG says it will not meet the end of March 2005 extended due date for the 10-K filing as the […]

March 31, 2005

2 min read