What’s new: In brief (March 07, 2005)

Aviva Canada has officially launched its "Autograph" program in Ontario. The program allows drivers to monitor their driving habits (including speed and how far the car is driven) through a device attached to their car, and to submit this information voluntarily after six months to the insurer for rebates as high as 25%. The pilot program involves 12 brokers: HUB International, Dalton Timmis Insurance, McFarlan Rowlands, Shillington Insurance Brokers, The Precept Group, Southland Insurance, MASS Insurance Brokers, Rhodes & Williams Insurance Brokers, and Stevenson & Hunt Insurance Brokers.

Former insurance regulator Michael Hafeman, who served with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Services (OSFI) has been appointed to the Public Interest Oversight Board. The board will oversee the activities of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) as it sets audit quality control standards and education standards. The board chair is Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) chair David Brown, while other members hail from Greece, France, Japan, Netherlands and The World Bank.

HKMB International Insurance Brokers has become a program sponsor to provide exclusive course content in risk management to "The Director’s College", a joint venture of The Conference Board of Canada and the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. HKMB will also provide a newsletter to course participants on key insurance and risk management issues for directors. HKMB managing partner John Hawkrigg, who will become a member of the college’s advisory board, says "we are proud to sponsor Canada’s best director education program as part of our commitment to provide strategic guidance on risk management, optimization and insurance to boards around the world."