Issue 2009-01 -- January 6, 2009
This newsletter is for members of the Canadian Insurance Industry, and those who serve it. The newsletter is published weekly, and notes information about the use of the Internet and related technologies in the industry, insurance products and the marketplace. Some is international, where we feel it is relevant to Canada.
If you think a fellow employee, or someone else involved in the insurance industry, would have some interest in the information, please tell them about this page. If they wish, they can subscribe from the "Subscribe" link on the page at /newsletter/newsletter.php.
Participants and Sponsors:
Welcome to SAP Canada Inc. with an annual Professional Web site Advertising Program:
Thanks to Automated Benefits Corp. for adding to their annual Professional Web site Advertising Program with a new:
Business of Insurance
Munich Re agrees to terms for acquisition of AIG subsidiary Hartford Steam Boiler.
22 December 2008 - The HSB Group, headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the American International Group (AIG). The core of the HSB Group is Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB), one of the largest insurance and inspection companies specialising in engineering risks in the USA. HSB is a market leader in providing machinery/plant and equipment breakdown insurance, inspection, certification and engineering consulting services.
Marketing and the Market Place
Sun Life Financial wins prize for interactive and informative site at Investor Education Awards.
TORONTO, Dec. 22 2008 - Sun Life Financial's My Retirement website has won an award at the Investor Education Awards held by the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC). The website, designed specifically to meet the needs of Canadian baby boomers, uses clear and simple language along with interactive tools and calculators to help Canadians plan for retirement.
Canadians Are Warming Up to Online Shopping: eMarketer.
DECEMBER 23, 2008 - In 2007, Canadian retailers sold C$13.8 billion ($12.9 billion) of consumer products and travel bookings online. But by 2012 eMarketer projects that Canadian business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce sales will reach C$22.8 billion ($22.2 billion).
Targeting Canadian Online Shoppers: eMarketer.
DECEMBER 31, 2008 - Seeing an opportunity to offset slowing online sales at home, some US online retailers have targeted the Canadian e-commerce market. One approach is to launch a Canadian Website. Another is to allow cross-border purchases. Either way, several retailers executed in time for the holiday season.
Our People
Shirley Puccino of CIGNA International Named to National Foreign Trade Council Board of Directors.
PHILADELPHIA, November 06, 2008 - Shirley Puccino, vice president of CIGNA International Health Strategies and Marketing, was named to the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Board of Directors at the NFTC elections.
Managing tomorrow's people - global survey reveals what the millennial generation want from work: PricewaterhouseCoopers.
London, 8 DEC 2008 -- The perception that the new generation of workers, the 'millennials', are disloyal and will reject traditional work practices is a myth, according to a new global report published by PricewaterhouseCoopers today.
2009 P&C Insurance Technology Conference
"Leadership: The Business-IT Imperative"
The seventh annual Insurance-Canada.ca P&C Technology Conference Monday 23 February 2009 in Toronto.
Continuing Broker Education: RIBO has approved 7 credit-hours, in the Management Category.
Speakers and Topics include:
- "Privacy Through Technology - Lead by Using a Positive-Sum Paradigm"
Ann Cavoukian, Ph.D, Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (bio)
We can have both security and privacy. By adopting a "positive-sum" paradigm and wedding it to "privacy by design," you can advance to what Dr. Cavoukian is calling "Transformative Technologies," the next wave of privacy … Come and learn about the next wave.
More details.
Sponsors include:
- Gold Sponsors:
- Bronze Sponsors:
Survey: IT Strategy and Experience The results of this joint poll with Novarica - four questions, three minutes, a prize - will be shared at the Conference by Matthew Josefowicz (bio, topic).
Click here to take the poll.
For program information, event details and all sponsors, see the conference overview and agenda-at-a-glance.
Promote your products and services through this signature industry event - see sponsor details.
Platinum Sponsors
Consumer Information
Safer living home unveiled in Niagara -- house designed to withstand increasingly destructive weather: Co-operators.
FORT ERIE, ON, January 2 - As climate change brings about increasingly destructive weather patterns, we need to adopt safer living
standards for our homes. And that's exactly what the innovative Designed...for safer living program is all about. Recently, the program celebrated the
completion of Canada's third safer living home, designed to withstand extreme winds and severe winter weather, in Fort Erie, Ontario.
Insurance Bureau of Canada urges British Columbians to protect their homes from severe weather.
VANCOUVER, Dec. 23 2008 - With lots of snow on and around homes, and a thaw and rain on the way in some areas of the province, Insurance Bureau of
Canada (IBC) is reminding homeowners in British Columbia to take precautions against snow build-up and overland flooding.
Regional drinking driving trends comparable across Canada: TIRF Poll.
OTTAWA, Jan. 2 - A new poll by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) reveals that drinking driving trends are comparable across Canadian regions and that a significant number of Canadians in each region are personally affected by drinking and driving crashes, making it a real cause for concern.
Manitoba Public Insurance's Top 5 Frauds for 2008.
An honest fraudster. A dedicated paper carrier. A persistent thief. These three individuals were among the fraudsters who attempted to rip off Manitoba Public Insurance and its ratepayers this year – with less than stellar results.
Aging Neons, luxury Audis enter Canada's Top 10 Stolen Vehicles list.
TORONTO, Dec. 22 - Canada's car insurers recently released their annual list of the most frequently stolen vehicles, with luxury Audis and aging Neons making appearances on the list. The sharp contrast reflects the different purposes of auto theft. Luxury vehicles are often stolen by organized crime for export, while low-end vehicles are stolen for transportation, parts, or for use in other crimes.
New crash tests of small cars : good ratings in frontal tests but many models need better side and rear crash protection: IIHS.
ARLINGTON, VA - December 17, 2008 - Most new small cars now earn good ratings in frontal crash tests but not when it comes to side and rear crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently completed front, side, and rear tests of seven 2009 model small cars: Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Saturn Astra, Suzuki SX4, and Toyota Matrix.
I.I.I. Offers Winter Driving Tips as Most Severe Weather Months Approach.
NEW YORK, December 23, 2008 - Snow and high winds pose threats to motorists throughout the winter, making safe driving and well-maintained vehicles of greater importance than ever, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
In 2009, Saving Money Outweighs the Battle of the Bulge for New Year's Resolutions: Progressive.
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio - December 15, 2008 - It's resolution season. And in today's unstable economy, people are resolving to trim more than just their waistlines; they plan to trim their budgets. According to a recent survey by leading car insurer, Progressive, more people are resolving to save money in 2009 than in 2008. In fact, those surveyed chose "save money" over other perennial resolutions like losing weight, quitting smoking, or getting a new job.
New Survey Finds Bad Economy Has Many Considering Changes To Insurance Policies: IIABA.
(Alexandria, VA – Dec. 11, 2008) - Many Americans are facing financial struggles and considering making changes to their insurance policies, according to a new national survey of homeowners by Trusted Choice® and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big "I"). Almost twenty-four percent of those surveyed, representing about 39 million homeowners, say they have made changes to their insurance coverage because of the troubled economy, leaving them vulnerable to serious financial loss.
from Doug:
I hope you and yours had a great Christmas break and celebrated the arrival of 2009 appropriately - may I wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2009. Our break was rather low-key - some vists with family and friends; our two grown sons here for the duration. As is too often the case, I had expectations that I would clear some of the backlog from my long list of to-do's. Some did move to the completed side of the ledger, but more than I would wish remain. Nonetheless the new year is off and running - here's to a good one for us all.
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