INSURANCE INDUSTRY NEWS

Technology Focus On Automation, Security
Insurance brokers and specialty/large commercial carriers lag behind other segments in automating communication due to complexity and ingrained cultural preferences. In a new brief, Novarica provides an overview of key issues and trends in broker/carrier technology. Read more.

Insurer Strategies: The New Balancing Act
A new class of strategic initiatives has emerged and it is poised to reshape the insurance industry. Insurers must consider how to incorporate “New World” initiatives including digital transformation, InsurTech, emerging technologies, and others into their business and technology strategies. Read more.

Sun Life Joins Forces With Blockchain Leader
Sun Life Financial Inc. has announced that it is the first North American insurer to collaborate with SecureKey Technologies Inc., a leading provider of identity and authentication solutions using Blockchain technologies. Read more.

SpatialKey, Swiss Re Partner On Hazard Data
SpatialKey Inc., the leader in geospatial insurance analytics, is collaborating with leading global reinsurer Swiss Re to offer insurers access to multi-peril hazard data through SpatialKey's proprietary underwriting solution. Read more.

CSIO Welcomes IBAC Support For eDelivery
The Centre for Study of Insurance Operations and the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada are pleased to see the growing number of provincial broker association endorsements of CSIO's eDelivery solution. The solution will enable CSIO member brokers and carriers to send digital policy documents and eSlips for personal and commercial lines to consumers. Read more.

Hub Acquires Shares Of Kindersley
Hub International Limited, a leading global insurance brokerage, has announced that it has acquired the shares of Kindersley Insurance Ltd. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Read more.

Westland Acquires Cafferky Gilding
Westland Insurance Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of Cafferky Gilding Insurance Brokers, effective February 1, 2018. Read more.

Outdoorsy Raises USD 25M In Series B Funding
Outdoorsy, the world's fastest-growing outdoor recreation marketplace, has raised USD 25M in Series B funding, led by Aviva Ventures and Altos Ventures.
Read more.

Smart Insurance Solutions For Ont. Drivers
Customers want easy, transparent and quick online experiences. Insurers understand this, but unfortunately don't have the ability to innovate their products and share information electronically. This needs to change – customers' needs and expectations must come first. Read more.

“Insurance Vectors in Play:
Risk, Technology, Engagement”

Insurance-Canada.ca Technology Conference
Feb. 27-28, 2018 — Toronto

It is an age-old question: How will the industry change? Where will my business fit? The current period of innovation, InsurTech and rapid change brings new urgency to the question – and to the answers.

At ICTC2018, Neil Huzinga, founder of Arun Bay Ltd., will examine the dramatic changes in the insurance marketplace; will Canada follow the UK's example? Bill Morris, Senior Partner at Navicom, will note the imperatives and opportunities customers are laying on us. How can we address the threats?

Register now or see complete details.

From Doug The big event right now is of course the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. Years of training and perseverance come down to minutes or even seconds. Alongside athletes' physical preparations, state-of-the-art gear can provide a competitive edge. And of course, blind luck on competition day can also help or hinder. There are lots of parallels with the insurance business, including preparatory training, high-performance tools and quality data, team collaboration, the importance of management. Join your peers as we explore the pinnacle of technology in Canadian P&C insurance at ICTC2018. Discover how technology can give you that edge. I sure wish the games were not so far out of our time zone! Doug Grant, CIP Partner Insurance-Canada.ca