Operations

Barry Penner named new chair of ICBC’s Board of Directors

Barry Penner, QC brings his legal skills and considerable experience with the Government of British Columbia – including as the province’ longest-serving environment minister – to his new duties as chair of the Insurance Corporation of B.C.’s (ICBC) Board of Directors. Penner’s appointment – which runs Mar. 31, 2016 to Mar. 31, 2019 – was […]

By Canadian Underwriter | March 23, 2016

2 min read

Operations

U.S. government to bar oil drilling off Atlantic coast

WASHINGTON – In a major reversal, the Obama administration said Tuesday it will bar oil drilling in the Atlantic Ocean, a move cheered by environmentalists and consistent with the United States president’s aggressive steps to deal with climate change. U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell made the announcement on Twitter, declaring that the administration’s next five-year […]

By Canadian Underwriter | March 15, 2016

3 min read

Operations

GM buys software company to speed up autonomous car development

DETROIT – With hopes of speeding development of self-driving cars, General Motors has acquired a small software company that’s been testing vehicles on the streets of San Francisco. The Detroit automaker says it purchased Cruise Automation, a 40-person firm that was founded just three years ago. The move, coupled with GM’s in-house research, should help […]

By Canadian Underwriter | March 11, 2016

2 min read

Operations

Internet of Things to move toward mainstream adoption this year: Gartner

Although less than a third (29%) of responding organizations are currently using the Internet of Things (IoT), an additional 14% are planning to implement it in the coming 12 months, according to a survey released on Thursday by Gartner Inc. An additional 21% of respondents plan to implement it after 2016, said Gartner, a Stamford, […]

By Canadian Underwriter | March 4, 2016

3 min read

Economical Insurance to launch direct channel sometime in 2016

Economical Insurance is planning to expand its distribution strategy, becoming a multi-channel organization, with the launch sometime later this year of a separately branded direct channel, says company spokesperson Doug Maybee. “This new branded direct channel is going to operate completely independently from our broker channel,” Maybee, Economical Insurance’s manager of public and media relations, […]

1 min read

Biggest disruptor in U.S. insurance distribution and service may be email: Novarica report

The biggest disruptor in insurance distribution and service in the United States in the past few years may be email, according to a survey of 150 agents and brokers from 43 states. While mobile and social media “get all the buzz,” the surprising biggest disruptor may be email, research and advisory firm Novarica said on […]

2 min read

Manitoba government undertakes review of Winnipeg’s taxicab industry

WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government and its taxicab board are reviewing the industry in Winnipeg over the next six months. The taxi review will examine the various classes of service, fare structures, customer satisfaction, safety and accessibility, new technologies and licensing requirements Board spokesman Luc Lewandoski says it’s a business that has gone through a […]

1 min read

IBAO elects Doug Heaman as new president

Doug Heaman has been elected as the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario’s (IBAO) 73rd president, officially assuming his role as of Jan. 1. Heaman was officially inducted at the IBAO Convention in Toronto in October 2015 and formally assumed his role as president on New Year’s Day, the IBAO said in a press release on […]

2 min read

General Motors, Lyft announce strategic alliance to create network of autonomous vehicles

General Motors and ridesharing company Lyft announced on Monday a “long-term strategic alliance to create an integrated network of on-demand autonomous vehicles” in the United States. GM will invest US$500 million in Lyft to “help the company continue the rapid growth of its successful ridesharing service,” GM said in a statement. In addition, GM will […]

2 min read

Toronto cab drivers clog city streets in protest against Uber

TORONTO – Certain streets in Toronto were clogged by taxis Wednesday as cab drivers protested the ride-hailing service Uber. Hundreds of cab drivers from across the Greater Toronto Area converged at points in downtown Toronto, including city hall, to call on politicians to enforce city bylaws. The city is currently working on new rules to […]

2 min read