Risk

Decorative pattern

Downgrades more frequent than upgrades again this year

For the third year in a row, downgrades have outpaced upgrades from rating agency A.M. Best, with adverse reserve development and liability exposures among the culprits.The rating agency says that asbestos and environmental liability exposures, medical cost inflation, weather catastrophes, rising jury awards and loss costs, lagging investment income, and regulatory challenges are hampering the […]

By Canadian Underwriter | November 10, 2003

1 min read

Decorative pattern

Ontario auto rates jump 8.2% in third quarter

Auto insurance rate increases averaging 8.22% were granted in the third quarter of 2003, says the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), the government body which regulates pricing.The increases happened prior to the provincial Liberals’ election win, and to the announcement that they would freeze rates in the province.Overall, the average cost of auto insurance […]

By Canadian Underwriter | November 6, 2003

1 min read

Decorative pattern

RIMS survey points to price easing of U.S. commercial covers

The latest “benchmark survey” released by the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) suggests that the pace of price increases in the U.S. commercial insurance marketplace slowed dramatically in the third quarter of this year. “After the staggering increases [in pricing] we have seen in recent quarters, especially from professional liability lines, the market for […]

By Canadian Underwriter | November 5, 2003

1 min read

Decorative pattern

Alberta freezes auto rates for up to 18 months

Following up on its threats, the Alberta government has announced it will freeze auto insurance rates as of October 30, 2003, and that the freeze could be in place for as long as 18 months. Bowing to public pressure, Premier Ralph Klein says legislation will be introduced in the upcoming sitting of the legislature to […]

By Canadian Underwriter | November 5, 2003

1 min read

Reinsurance Strategies 2003: Signs of Recovery

For an industry that was on the brink of disaster less than a year ago, reinsurers can take pride in the financial turnaround seen thus far for 2003. But, CEOs offering their insights to CU’s annual yearend treaty outlook are not quiet prepared to pat themselves on the back for this year’s market performance. The […]

October 31, 2003

17 min read

Decorative pattern

Being Ready

The property and casualty insurance industry's protection mechanism for policyholders against any insurer defaulting on its claim obligations - the Property and Casualty Insurance Compensation Corp. (PACICC) - is set to undergo a major overhaul in response to a changed marketplace. The devastating competitive price impact of the last "soft market", coupled with spiraling losses and diminishing investment income returns, has created a much more volatile risk environment for the insurance industry, observes Paul Kovacs the newly appointed president of PACICC. And, while the financial picture of insurers has improved vastly in 2003 as a result of two years-plus of "hard market" pricing adjustments, there is still considerable risk for insurer insolvencies over the next three years, Kovacs says.

October 31, 2003

6 min read

Captive & Art Growth: Corporate Retentions Rise in Wake of the Hard Market

Fueled by traditional insurance capacity shortage during 2002, particularly in the liability risk classes and certain specialty risk sectors, the growth in corporate risk retention through establishment of captives and other alternative self-insurance mechanisms is expected to maintain record levels through this year and into 2004 - after coming off a "ten year banner year" for 2001 following the insurance cost impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Canada has not been excluded from this trend, with the number of captives formed during 2002 more than doubling the overall worldwide growth rate of captive formations. Canadian risk solution experts CU spoke to believe that the premium value as well as establishment of self-insurance mechanisms for this year and 2004 will continue to reflect strong growth despite the moderate improvement in traditional insurance capacity and easing of pricing currently emerging in the marketplace.

October 31, 2003

7 min read

Canadian Risk Managers: Change in the Air

Three years ago, risk managers were focused on how to promote their profession. Now, for better or worse, risk management is center stage. But, what will risk managers do with their newfound fame? At this year's RIMS Canada conference, risk managers "took the bull by the horns" and talked about how to make the most out of the intense pressure they are currently under, to finally advance the cause of enterprise risk management in their organizations.

October 31, 2003

6 min read

Untangling Concurrent or “Overlapping Coverage”

When two insurance policies appear to insure the same loss, how do you determine if there should be contribution and how is it to be shared? A review of current law, policies in effect, and specifically the Ontario Insurance Act provides some clarity.

October 31, 2003

6 min read

Decorative pattern

On The Move (November 01, 2003)

Halifax-based Huestis Ritch, member of Canadian Litigation Counsel, has named Elissa Hoverd as an associate of the firm. She joined the Ontario Bar in 2001 and the Nova Scotia Bar earlier this year. Toronto-based Kingsway Financial Services has made several appointments, including naming John McGlynn as president and CEO of Kingsway General Insurance Co. He […]

October 31, 2003

1 min read

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