Reforming company management structures to deal with the rapidly evolving marketplaces of financial services formed the central focus of the International Insurance Association Inc.’s (IIA) 36th annual conference, which was recently held in Vancouver. The prime drivers of change impacting across international borders of the insurance market — and steadily drawing together the pillars of […]
July 31, 2000
9 min read
When reviewing the role of insurance commissioners in Canada and the U.S., one must wonder why they became involved in rate approvals. The original role of the insurance commissioner was apolitical, to make sure that companies were properly capitalized, were adequately reinsured, and followed the regulations. The role of the commissioners has since been extended […]
July 31, 2000
5 min read
Regulatory harmonization, multi-licensing, mergers and consolidations. In a world of rapid change, ongoing education has become a key survival tool of the new insurance landscape. Whether driven by consumers, regulators or employers, the trend is moving toward increasingly higher levels of education and lifelong learning. Efforts are being made industry-wide to provide the kind of […]
July 31, 2000
9 min read
Aging infrastructure, cut budgets and a blind political eye. With increasing pressure to cut taxes, Canada’s federal and provincial governments have for decades reduced investment and maintenance expenditure in public infrastructure. Repeatedly, reports have been issued of the resulting dangerous conditions of roads and highways throughout the provinces, all of which have garnered little response […]
July 31, 2000
7 min read
Sitting at the head table in the hotel’s convention room, I felt a quick stab of uncertainty. I had agreed to be a guest speaker at this broker management seminar staged by our provincial brokers’ association. As my company’s senior marketing representative, it was part of my job to maintain strong links to brokers. However, […]
July 31, 2000
8 min read
There’s an old saying “what you don’t know can’t hurt you.” But, in the insurance business today, this adage no longer holds true–what you don’t know can definitely hurt your organization’s bottom-line. The danger comes in not knowing some of the more important information for strategic and successful decision making. For instance, which policyholders pose […]
July 31, 2000
3 min read
Following major restructuring in the mid-1990s, including the influx of corporate capital, Lloyd's is embarking on a campaign to rejuvenate its image. Part of the strategy is the recent announcement that Lloyd's would allow itself to be supervised by the U.K.'s Financial Services Authority, says Julian James, Lloyd's North American director
July 31, 2000
3 min read
Announcements in Coming Events are run free of charge as a service to the industry. Items should be submitted by the first of the month prior to the month in which the announcement is to appear. Strategy Institute P&C E-Strategy Super Summit. Toronto, ON. Call 416-944-8833 for more information. August 24 and 25. National Association […]
July 31, 2000
2 min read
Assurex International has expanded its operations in Canada with the addition of Phoenix Group Corporation in Edmonton, Alberta, to its list of broker partners. Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance, LLC, of Nashville, Tennessee, also joins Assurex’s network of nearly 70 independent brokers in North America, as well as the Ohio-based company’s partners in more than 50 […]
June 30, 2000
1 min read
The 2000 Canadian Insurance Congress — which this year celebrated its tenth anniversary as Canada’s premier annual reinsurance/primary company CEO forum — drew together a strong cast of speakers from across the sectors of the North American property and casualty insurance industry. The underlying message presented to the senior management audience was the need to […]
June 30, 2000
9 min read