The Chronicle: Issue 2012-11, March 13, 2012


The Intersection: Insurance-Canada.ca BlogWhat's Going Through The Intersection of Insurance and Technology, an Insurance-Canada.ca Blog.


Distribution

Remarks by Greg Purdy, Managing Partner, Pathway Partners Ltd. at the Insurance-Canada.ca Technology Conference, 5 March 2012, in the session "Challenges and Opportunities for Broker Distribution".
There are many challenges and opportunities facing the industry but from my perspective there is one strategic challenge that rises above all others. The threat posed by social media, the relationships being established and the redistribution of consumer information. It will change the landscape and will influence every aspect of the industry.

Custom Software Solutions Announces EDocs Functionality with Portage Mutual.
March 2012 - Virden, MB - Custom Software Solutions (CSSI) is pleased to announce the addition of Electronic Document Transfer (EDocs) functionality with The Portage la Prairie Mutual Insurance Company (Portage Mutual). EDocs is the ability to transmit documents seamlessly and electronically using Centre for Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO) standards.

Kanetix.ca launches auto insurance quote service for commercial vehicles.
TORONTO, March 2, 2012 - Commercial auto insurance quotes from Coachman Insurance are now available through Kanetix.ca's new online service. The service is a breakthrough in how consumers procure a commercial auto insurance quote; a customer can get a quote in minutes online-at their convenience.

Technology

Aite Group Report - Master Data Management for Insurers: Mastering the Unknown Unknowns.
Boston, March 2, 2012 - A new report from Aite Group sizes the global insurance marketplace for master data management (MDM) solutions and services, provides a high-level overview of MDM and its major variants, and profiles and evaluates major vendors that offer solutions in the insurance marketplace.

Claims

e-djuster Acquires Majority Ownership Position in Winnipeg-based "The Claims Network (TCN)".
e-djuster's new ownership interest in TCN will permit future cost savings and technology sharing for both Companies, as well as the increased potential for passing on savings to respective customers.

Xactware Adds Sketch to Latest Version of XactScope.
OREM, Utah-Feb. 29, 2012 - XactScopeXactScope®, a mobile estimating app for the iPhone®, iPad®, and iPod touch®, now includes Xactware's powerful and patented Sketch® technology. With the addition of Sketch, XactScope offers users a complete loss-site estimating tool that can help them draw floor plans, add items to estimates, download price lists, generate reports, and much more.

Accenture Claim Components Selected by Farm Bureau Financial Services to Optimize Claims Handling.
NEW YORK; March 7, 2012 - Accenture announced today that its claims management software application, Accenture Claim Components, has been selected by Farm Bureau Financial Services to serve as the insurer's core claims processing system for its personal and commercial lines. The new system will help Farm Bureau Financial Services streamline its claims processes and improve its customer service.

Business of Insurance

Ernst & Young survey: Canadians demanding more from insurers than ever before.
(Toronto, 29 February, 2012) Confusing product choices and poor customer service are just some of the concerns Canadians have with their insurance companies, Ernst & Young says in a recent first-of-its-kind global survey. Some 24,000 people were surveyed for the report, with three-quarters of North American life and annuity respondents agreeing that the insurance industry lags behind others in both quality of service and rewarding customer loyalty.

Manulife-Sinochem Wins Approval for 50th City in China.
TORONTO, March 6, 2012 - Manulife-Sinochem (MSL) announced today that it has received approval from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission to establish a new branch office in the capital city of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang. Located in North China, surrounding the capital Beijing, Hebei is the sixth largest province in China in terms of GDP.

The Co-operators website now more accessible.
GUELPH, ON, March 9, 2012 - The Co-operators has enhanced the accessibility of its website for Canadians with physical disabilities. Through a collaboration with eSSENTIAL Accessibility™, The Co-operators is taking part in a Disability Community Involvement Initiative, launched in association with leading advocacy groups for the disabled, including March of Dimes Canada.

Consumer Information

IBC launches new fraud-focused section on website http://getintheknow.ibc.ca/.
TORONTO, March 5, 2012 - Fraud is big business and it costs Canadians millions of dollars each and every year. At the start of Fraud Prevention Month, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reminds you that when someone cheats the system, you pay.

Economical Insurance: Going away for March break?.
WATERLOO, ON, March 6, 2012 - Valuable advice before you go - If you are going to be away from home during March break, Economical Insurance® offers some important tips to protect your property so that you have a worry-free vacation.

IBC home safety tips - Spring Forward: A time to be smart and be safe.
TORONTO, March 8, 2012 - Most Canadians will reach for their clocks this weekend as we "spring forward" an hour for Daylight Savings Time which takes effect at 2:00 am this Sunday, March 11, 2012. Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) wants to urge Canadians to not only change their clocks this weekend, but to put home safety at top of mind.

SGI supports Impaired Driving Awareness Week.
March 2, 2012 - SGI is joining Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) Saskatchewan in supporting Impaired Driving Awareness Week, proclaimed by the provincial government for March 5-9, 2012 in Saskatchewan. The annual week, originally proclaimed in 1999, raises awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving, which is the number one contributing factor in fatal collisions in Saskatchewan.

from Doug:

As I write this, a week ago ICTC was moving into the last session of the day. A few days of catching the loose ends (well, at least some of them) and focusing on a heritage weekend of activities, brought us to Sunday and away for a few days of R&R. The downtime in Toronto's airport waiting for a flight which departed an hour and a half late was more than a little frustrating after pushing so hard to make every minute count. That too is behind us.
We are in the heart of the Big Apple, across the street from Grand Central Terminal and have a list of neat things to do, including three operas. It should be a good week - now if we can just shake out of the depths of a cold that seemed imminent about Friday and struck Sunday, life would indeed be good.


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