Issue 2005-20: May 17, 2005
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.
eBusiness and Technology
Information Builders Honors Five Customers for Outstanding Use of Technology.
New York, NY - April 4, 2005 - Information Builders, the enterprise business intelligence (BI) standard of choice for organizations around the world, today announced the winners of the 2005 Customer Awards of Distinction. Five companies are being honored for their outstanding use of WebFOCUS and iWay Software.
Speeding Products to Market: Aligning People, Process and Technology: InSystems FREE Interactive web seminar - May 31, 2005 2:00 p.m.
Markham, Ontario, May 10, 2005 -- In today's increasingly competitive insurance environment, customers are more demanding and regulations are becoming increasingly complex. The ability to rapidly roll out products, while complying with regulatory requirements, is a key differentiator for insurers.
Hyland Software Forms Partnership With Canadian-based Imagine eDoc Solutions Inc.
CLEVELAND - April 26, 2005 - Hyland Software, Inc., developer of the OnBase enterprise content management (ECM) software suite, has named Imagine eDoc Solutions Inc., a Calgary, Alberta, Canada, based provider of imaging, document and workflow management solutions, an Authorized OnBase Solution Provider. Imagine will focus on providing ECM solutions to the Oil and Gas, Insurance and Professional Services industries.
Product Announcements
CIGNA International Launches Expert Second Opinion Services for Expat Benefits Members around the globe through E-Cleveland Clinic.
PHILADELPHIA, May 11, 2005 - CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits, a leading global health care provider, now offers Web-based expert second opinion services through the renowned Cleveland Clinic.
Empire Life announces new features to critical illness product, Vital Link™
Kingston, Ontario, May 09, 2005 - The Empire Life Insurance Company (Empire) announced new features to its critical illness product, Vital Link. One key feature added is a return of premium option on Vital Link 10.
Policy and Product Management
Camilion Solutions Joins IBM PartnerWorld Network for Insurance.
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- May 10, 2005 - Camilion Solutions, the leading provider of product management solutions to the financial services industry, today announced that it has become a member of IBM PartnerWorld for Insurance.
EDS-SOLCORP Releases Radience: Consolidation to Streamline Life Insurance Customer Service Operations.
Leading Insurance Industry Solution Provider Enables Life Insurance Companies to Consolidate Data and Business Processes Across Multiple Administration Systems
Eastbridge study finds that hospital indemnity and supplemental medical products are fast growing.
AVON, CONNECTICUT, USA (April 13, 2005)Today we are seeing more carriers "dusting off" their hospital indemnity plans and adding various enhancements. Others are looking to develop new products that either fill in gaps left by medical plans or protect those not presently covered by a medical plan.
Claims
Lloyd's Chairman highlights hurricane lessons.
Speaking to over 100 insurance professionals in Miami, he will say that although the insurance industry has made a number of improvements in responding to policyholders compared with Hurricane Andrew, there is much work to be done. He will call for further improvements in disaster modelling, disaster planning and claims handling.
ISO Makes Real-Time Catastrophe Information Available Online to Insurers For Strategic Decision Making.
JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 2, 2005 - ISO now provides access to real-time catastrophe loss estimates and critical event information via its ISOnetSM secure Internet platform, enabling insurers to make better strategic risk-management decisions as actual events unfold.
Consumer Information
ING Insurance to offer Ontario residents its Responsible Driver Guarantee.
ING Insurance announced it will soon be offering Ontario drivers its new Responsible Driver Guarantee, allowing them to claim their first at-fault accident without any impact on their premiums or their driving record.
Distribution
Western Financial Group Announces Strategic Partnership with Falkins Insurance Group.
HIGH RIVER, AB, May 9, 2005 - Western Financial Group announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Falkins Insurance Group, the largest regional British Columbia insurance brokerage business east of the Okanagan, and headquartered in Cranbrook, BC.
kasina Continues Intelligent Distribution Research for Asset Management Clients.
New York April 11, 2005 - kasina, a leading financial services industry consulting firm, continues to research and refine Intelligent Distribution strategies for asset management clients. Research projects underway or planned for 2005 focus on the areas the firm believes will have the most significant impact on success for asset management firms: Sales, Marketing, and Key Accounts.
Marketing and the Market Place
Insurance Industry Under Attack - Robert Métivier.
The insurance industry appears to be an institution that lends itself to bad publicity and constant attack. Every other week you can pick up a newspaper and read about the high premiums policyholders have to endure while insurance companies make millions in profits. Of course we all know there are two sides to every story – right! Unfortunately for insurance professionals the media fuels only one side, making many wonder just why they continue to work in this industry.
Managing Relationships and Customer Service
LIMRA International Partners with E - Communications Firm Pinpoint Global to Leverage Latest Sales and Training Technology.
Windsor, CT, May 3, 2005 — Financial services association LIMRA International announces a strategic partnership with Pinpoint Global Communications, a firm that provides on-line sales, training and communications programs to the financial services industry.
from Doug:
My spouse and I are on a trip to Fredericton and Saint John, as a part of my heritage hat, for the first few days of this week. A wonderfully warm reception from our hosts in Fredericton, a visit to Harriet Irving Library on Monday, and looking forward to Saint John Tuesday and Loyalist Day celebrations Wed.
Wish you a good and safe long weekend, during which we will be celebrating a pair of family 80th birthdays in Ontario cottage country.