Issue 2010-45 -- November 9, 2010
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.
Distribution
The Economical Insurance Group Enables Online Insurance Sales Through Brokers' Websites.
Waterloo, ON - In support of its national broker force, The Economical Insurance Group® (TEIG®) announces the launch of Insurance On Demand, an innovative and easy-to-use broker-branded quote, purchase and self-service website. Insurance On Demand allows customers to manage their insurance online, including home, auto, condo and tenant policies directly through brokers' websites.
Standard Life Mutual Funds' sales teams ranked by Environics among the best in the industry.
MONTREAL, Nov. 1 2010 - Standard Life Mutual Funds Ltd. sales teams have been recognized by the industry in the Environics' 2010 Advisor Perception Study. For the second year in a row, advisors ranked Standard Life Mutual Funds' external sales teams among the first in the Overall Quality of Wholesaler category.
kasina Releases Study of Top 5 Institutional Web Sites.
New York, (November 2, 2010) - Superior content and client support, informative presentation of product innovations, and global representation that showcases a consistent brand worldwide set apart the top institutional Web sites in 2010.
Policy and Product Management
Guidewire selected by SSQ General Insurance for Policy Administration, Billing, and Claims Management.
SAN MATEO, California, November 3, 2010 - SSQ General Insurance Company (SSQ), a Quebec direct insurer, to group members as well as to the general public, and Guidewire Software®, a leading provider of flexible core systems to property/casualty (general) insurers, today announced that SSQ has selected the Guidewire Insurance Suite as its new policy administration, billing and claims platform for its lines of personal business.
Managing Relationships and Customer Service
Industrial Alliance Launches a New Extranet for Partners and Clients of its Group Savings and Retirement Plans.
QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 29 2010 - Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. is pleased to launch the second generation of its extranet, a secure website for plan members and sponsors of its group savings and retirement plans, as well as for its business partners. The new site's flexibility and enhanced IT tools were designed to adapt to users' growing expectations.
Sun Life to launch industry-first wireless enrolment for group retirement plans in Canada.
TORONTO, Nov. 5 2010 - One of the greatest challenges for employers who offer group retirement plans is getting their employees to take action. Sun Life Financial is developing an easy and immediate solution - wireless enrolment using the new BlackBerry(R) PlayBook(TM).
KANA Raises the Bar for Service Experience Management with the Release of KANA SEM 11.
Warwickshire, England - October 04, 2010 - KANA Software, Inc., a world leader in software solutions for Service Experience Management (SEM), today announced the release of KANA SEM 11, latest version of the industry's first service experience management (SEM) platform for managing the entire customer service experience.
eBusiness and Technology
Novarica Cool Capabilities Report Highlights Five Innovative Insurer Technology Initiatives.
November 3 (NEW YORK) - Novarica, a research and advisory firm focused on operations and technology strategy for insurers and financial institutions, today launched the inaugural edition of its new "Novarica Cool Capabilities" report series, highlighting five clever applications of technology by US Insurers.
Marketing and the Market Place
J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Five Trends for 2011 Emerge from Mining Social Media.
LAS VEGAS: 21 October 2010 - J.D. Power and Associates has identified five important consumer trends that have emerged from examining social media commentary, according to the opening presentation at the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Internet Roundtable.
Business of Insurance
Fairfax Financial to Acquire First Mercury Financial Corporation for $16.50 per Share in Cash.
TORONTO, ON and SOUTHFIELD, MI - October 28, 2010 - Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited and First Mercury Financial Corporation today announced that Fairfax and First Mercury have entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which Fairfax will acquire all of the outstanding shares of First Mercury common stock.
LIMRA CEO: Fundamentals Out Of Balance; Must Innovate to Achieve Sustainable Growth.
WINDSOR, Conn., Oct. 28, 2010 - This week, Robert Kerzner, CLU, ChFC, president and CEO of LIMRA, LOMA and LL Global, challenged more than 450 senior insurance executives to find new ways to adapt their product design, underwriting and distribution models in order to advance the life insurance industry.
Claims
IBC: Hurricane Igor causes over $65 million in insured damage.
HALIFAX, Nov. 2 2010 - According to preliminary estimates, Hurricane Igor was one of Newfoundland and Labrador's most disastrous storms, with total insured losses of more than $65 million. The number was reported by Property Claim Services Canada (PCS-Canada), a service that tracks insured losses arising from catastrophic events in Canada.
Insurance in the Community
The Co-operators creates social media-based program to engage staff and agents in sustainability.
GUELPH, ON, Nov. 2 2010 - The Co-operators today wrapped up the first part of CSR: Co-operators Sustainability Race, an innovative staff and agent engagement project developed in partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation. More than 330 people from offices across Canada registered for the first part, the Transportation Race, which took place over three weeks in October.
Consumer Information
Allstate: Ring in the New Year Safely - 10 Safety Reminders for this Holiday Season.
Toronto, November 2, 2010 - Between visiting family and friends, dodging fellow shoppers at the mall and keeping track of your hat, scarf and gloves, it is easy to overlook simple things pertaining to seasonal safety. The holiday season is busy for everyone, so we often forget to take the time to plan ahead and ensure our home and our valuables are protected,
Our People
LOMA Enhances Award-Winning Insurance Administration Course.
ATLANTA - Nov.3, 2010 - LOMA has launched its Insurance Administration Course Portal, an online enhancement to the existing designation-level course, Insurance Administration (LOMA 301). Through the new Course Portal, LOMA now offers the job-relevant, industry-specific designation content in a flexible format.
from Doug:
One step forward, I think. On Friday last, after five weeks in hospital, a bed in a Long Term Care facility opened up and Mom moved there. It is farther from Dad than was the hospital, but only a couple of minutes longer by car, as the drive is open roads rather than city stoplights.
It was a rough weekend for her and Dad, as Mom decided she did not want to be there. However, with a couple of days under her belt and perhaps with the return of the regular day staff, Monday was a better day. We are hopeful she will integrate. Dementia is terrifying.
Dad is a WWII vet and Mom like so many others helped the war effort on the home front. Thursday is Remembrance Day – we owe so much to those who gave, and are giving.