Issue 2002-49: December 10, 2002
This newsletter is for members of the Canadian Insurance Industry, and those who serve it. The newsletter is published weekly, and notes information mostly about the use of the Internet and related technologies in the industry. Some is international, where we feel it is relevant to Canada.
Distribution
Global IQX signs deal with the Canada Life Assurance Company for ConnectInsure.
Global IQX Inc., developer of the ConnectInsure Web-based quoting service that enables insurance brokers and consultants to conduct online quotations and enrolment transactions, today announced a partnership with the Canada Life Assurance Company. Canada Life small group benefits products to be added to ConnectInsure online exchange for insurance professionals. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/distribution/announce/IQXCanadaL200212.php
Kanetix adds RBC Insurance to Quebec insurance quote comparison service.
Kanetix (www.kanetix.com) - Canada's insurance marketplace and online insurance information centre, today announced that RBC Insurance has joined its online auto insurance quote comparison service for Quebec consumers. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/distribution/announce/kanetixRBCQC200212.php
Markel and Royal & SunAlliance Long-haul Trucking Arrangement.
Markel Insurance Company of Canada and Royal & SunAlliance have announced an arrangement regarding long-haul trucking insurance. Royal & SunAlliance is reducing its exposure to this line of business and its brokers will now be able to access Markel for their non-renewing trucking clients.
Hub Financial Partners With The Canadian Association Of Insurance And Financial Advisors.
Hub International Limited, announced a corporate partnership between Hub Financial Inc., Hub International's Canadian life and financial services operation, and CAIFA. With this partnership, Hub Financial will provide support for the continuing education of insurance brokers and financial planners through sponsorship of various CAIFA forums including its National Conference, CAIFA National Schools and several regional Sales Congresses. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/distribution/canada/HubCAIFA200212.php
CSIO Insurance Portal Status Update
Week ending November 29: Four brokers were added this week, bringing the total to 17.
For Ontario Property rates, Chieftan and ING are now in Systems Testing, and the rates for CGU, Traders, and Scottish & York have now been loaded.
Portage Mutual has now committed to using the Portal, using the ISI rating engine.
Claims
Accident Benefit Training -- New Tools to Train Accident Benefit Staff: DKT Consulting Services.
DKT Consulting Services announces the launch of new training tools to help train Accident Benefit staff. The Selfdirected program is designed to help companies resolve their dilemma of “How do we provide training on an ongoing basis when the staff keeps changing?” The program offers flexibility in delivery that provides the option of “training at any time, based on needs”. The program will be available in January 2003. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/claims/announce/DKTTraining200212.php
Consumer Information
Understanding teen driver car crashes and what parents can do: I Promise Program.
Whenever we get behind the wheel of a car we begin the process of risk analysis and risk assessment. We are looking about and answering these questions with every glance, "Is there anything in my way keeping me from implementing this action? Is it safe? How can I best go about implementing this action and what might the likely consequences be?" This is why we look behind before backing up, or look both ways before entering the roadway. We are determining issues of risk. Editorial at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/consinfoauto/IPromEdit200212.php
Centre for the Financial Services OmbudsNetwork up and running.
Consumers who have a problem or concern with their financial services provider now have access to a new free service that will help them quickly and effectively navigate the complaint process. The Centre for the Financial Services OmbudsNetwork today officially launched its national Consumer assistance and referral service, which is available to consumers by calling 1-866-538-FSON (3766) (for services in English), 1-866-668-RCSF (7273) (for services in French) or 416-777-2043 in Toronto, and a Web site, www.cfson-crcsf.ca. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/ebusiness/canada/CFSON200212.php
Marketing
Part 4: e-Marketing; Insurance Applications, by Stefan Eyram.
For marketers in the insurance industry, e-marketing offers lots of opportunity. Depending on the business and marketing objectives, a company can leverage e-marketing as part of their overall strategy to achieve various goals. Article conclusion at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/market/canada/SEyramIns200211.php
Independent Agents Get the Word Out: Progressive Insurance Survey.
Independent insurance agents use a variety of advertising methods to help them attract consumers to their agency, and the overwhelming majority of agents think their advertising investment has helped them grow their business. These were among the findings in a recent survey of over 1,000 independent agents conducted by Progressive. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/market/other/ProgIndepAg200212.php
Insurance and Financial Services Products
Manulife Investments offers new family of flexible GIC Investments.
Manulife Investments is launching an innovative suite of Guaranteed Interest Contract (GIC) investments sold through independent financial advisors across the country. The new Manulife Investments GIC allows Canadians to invest in a Basic GIC account, plus specialty Laddered and Escalating Rate options to best suit their personal needs. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/market/canada/ManuLInvest200212.php
Insurance Business, eBusiness and Technology
IBC Plans and Priorities for 2003: Stan Griffin President & CEO.
Toronto, December 3, 2003 at IBC's Annual General Meeting: Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to take this opportunity to give you a brief tour of the horizon and outline our plans and priorities for this current fiscal year. It's an ambitious yet achievable agenda that directly reflects the needs and goals of our members. We find ourselves in year three of our five-year plan, as adopted by our board of directors, to address public policy priority issues as identified by our members in 2000. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/ebusiness/canada/IBCSGagm200212.php
Community
Standard Life Raises $325,000 for the Advancement of Paediatric Research.
The Standard Life Marathon's 20th edition closed with a bang as Mr. Claude Garcia, President of the Canadian Operations, presented the $325,000 cheque yesterday during the Foundation for Research into Children's Diseases annual Telethon. This was the largest contribution to the Foundation this year. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/humanres/community/StandardRed200212.php
from Doug:
The combination of procrastination and busy days sees us receiving Christmas cards and letters when our letter sits on a shelf unfinished. Anyone who anticipates free moments in December suffers from delusions, memory lapse or wishful thinking; go with the flow and enjoy the whirlwind of festivities. While I recover from a dinner party of last evening, I am looking forward to a family buffet lunch at the Royal Canadian Military Institute today - what a fabulous spread they present!