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.
Policy and Product Management
ISI's WebWriter Enterprise Receives Strong Review in Celent 2007 Policy Administration Systems Report.
(June 8, 2007 – Toronto/Boston) Insurance Systems Inc. (ISI), a leading provider of web-based solutions to the property and casualty insurance industry, is pleased to announce that its major strategic product, WebWriter Enterprise, has received a strong review in the recently-released Policy Administration Systems Report from Celent.
Distribution
Coons Insurance Brokers Improves Customer Service with ASP Implementation of Keal's Signassure.
Burlington Ontario -- Coons Insurance sought to implement a new and cost-effective system to provide more efficient customer service. They selected Microsoft Certified Partner Keal Technology to implement the web-based ASP Signassure solution.
RHU: Advocis (re)Launches New Living Benefits Designation.
Toronto, ON - Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada, today launched the completely re-vamped RHU (Registered Health Underwriter) living benefits designation program. The RHU is Canada's only living benefits designation and is offered exclusively by Advocis.
Vancouver Film Industry - New Locally Owned and Operated Focus Insurance.
VANCOUVER, B.C., June 6, 2007 -- British Columbia has finally got its own locally-owned and operated insurance brokerage firm exclusively servicing the film industry. David Hamilton, the senior film insurance broker in Western Canada, recently established FOCUS Entertainment Insurance Brokers Inc. with his long-time associate Bob Adams. David and Bob have serviced the film community in Western Canada for a combined 45 years.
Claims
Automated Benefits Corp: Symbility Announces Solution Partner Agreement With Global Technology Leader and Innovator.
WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(June 6, 2007) - Symbility Solutions Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Automated Benefits Corp., is pleased to announce that it has entered into a business relationship with Lenovo, a global PC manufacturer.
Consumer Information
Latest Markel Let's Talk seminar series to reveal new research to help trucking carriers improve driver attraction and retention.
TORONTO (28 May 2007) -- Markel Insurance Company of Canada today announced its latest educational offering Let's Talk about Managing your Drivers a cross-country seminar series to help trucking carriers improve their driver attraction and retention programs.
SGI provides funding to Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region sleep disorders program.
SGI has furthered its commitment to making Saskatchewan roads safer by providing $200,000 annually to the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region (RQHR) for the Sleep Disorders Program at the Regina General Hospital. The Program serves to diagnose and treat patients with sleep disorders. The most common disorder treated is sleep apnea, which causes excessive daytime sleepiness.
Legislation brings more auto insurance options for British Columbians.
Insurance Bureau of Canada, which represents Canada's private home, car and business insurers, welcomes new legislation that came into effect June 1. Bill 93, adopted in 2003, aims to clearly separate basic insurance from optional insurance products to give British Columbia drivers more options regarding their insurance coverage.
The real truth about drugged driving, by Robyn Robertson, President, TIRF.
May 11, 2007 -- Bill C-32, the hotly debated drugged driving legislation proposed by the Tory government continues to spawn opposing views from proponents on both sides. Some argue stronger measures are needed to protect the public; others believe the legislation violates civil liberties.
D.U.M.B. Struck Tour 2007 hits the road: Insurance Bureau of Canada takes driver distraction simulators across Ontario this summer to help combat distracted driving.
This summer, thousands of Ontario drivers will learn about the dangers of distracted driving, thanks to a province-wide community outreach program launched recently.
Business of Insurance
Pembridge Insurance Company to offer consumers in Quebec a new choice for their personal insurance needs.
MONTREAL, June 4, 2007 - Pembridge Insurance Company President and COO, Bob Tisdale was joined by 20 new and potential insurance brokers from across Quebec today, for the official launch of Pembridge in the province.
Towers Perrin Survey Indicates Increased Life Insurance Merger and Acquisition Activity in Next 12 Months.
STAMFORD, CT., May 9, 2007 - CFOs at major life insurance companies believe mergers and acquisitions within their industry will significantly increase over the next 12 months. According to the latest CFO survey from the Tillinghast business of Towers Perrin, 57 percent of the respondents said it is possible or highly likely they will acquire another company in the next 12 months. Seventy-seven percent said it is possible or highly likely they will acquire a block of business from another company.
PWC Survey: Asia's Frenzied Financial Services Deal Environment Increases Risk of Over Paying.
23 May 2007 - The surge of M&A activity seen in 2006 in the financial services industry in Asia will continue over the next five years. High levels of economic growth across the region will continue to attract investment, boosting demand for a limited supply of quality assets, thereby increasing the risk of overpaying, according to the findings of 'Financial Services M&A: Going for growth in Asia', an annual survey from PricewaterhouseCoopers, conducted in association with the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Marketing and the Market Place
Broadband Spreads Out, Speeds Up: eMarketer.
JUNE 5, 2007 -- The number of broadband subscribers will reach 567 million worldwide by 2011, up from the current 285 million, according to In-Stat's "Broadband Gets Big: Global Broadband Subs Hit 285 Million" report. New subscribers totaled 65 million in the 12 months prior to May 2007.
Education
Flood Mapping with Don Pearson: Friday, June 15, 2007 , by ICLR.
The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction is pleased to invite you to participate in a workshop with Don Pearson, General Manager of Conservation Ontario.
Product Announcements
Royal & SunAlliance first insurer to launch Global Renewable Energy business.
Royal & SunAlliance ("R&SA") today launches a Global Renewable Energy division bringing together its leading team of experts from around the Group to provide global insurance solutions for the renewable energy market.
eBusiness and Technology
TowerGroup Study of Insurers and I.T Vendors Finds Industry-Wide Standards are Needed to Realize True Potential of SOA.
NEEDHAM, MA, May 16, 2007 - While the paradigm of service-oriented architecture (SOA) holds tremendous promise for the insurance marketplace, a new study by TowerGroup finds that both carriers and vendors must be more aggressive in establishing enterprise governance in adopting both process and data standards, and in supporting the testing and management of service oriented solutions in order for SOA to reach its touted potential.
from Doug:
I have been setting aside a little time this year for gardening - nothing serious mind you. Our downtown Toronto neighbourhood has been undergoing a transition from front yards with lawns and the traditional garden-bed and a few shrubs to garden-only spaces. I am starting to feel out-of-place with our old-fashioned privet hedge around our corner lot and the usual lawn, flower, shrub combination, but I think I can resist the urge to change dramatically and proceed one square metre at a time. Oh yes, don't forget Father's Day - enjoy.