Issue 2010-48 -- November 30, 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
Policy Works Inc. and L'Union Canadienne to Exchange Commercial Lines Data Electronically with Straight-Through Processing.
November 23, 2010 - Policy Works is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with L'Union Canadienne to deliver a commercial lines data exchange solution integrating Policy Works' Commercial Management System (CMS) and L'Union Canadienne's underwriting system. This solution offers pure no-touch processing, enabling brokers to send submissions and receive quotations electronically without a web portal, which means no new portal or system for brokers to learn.
Keal Technology Chosen to Partner with CIME to Power New Premium Finance Subsidiary, CIMCO Capital Inc..
MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada - November 24, 2010 - Today at the 37th Annual RCCAQ Convention, Quebec insurance replacement leader CIME announced they will be launching a new premium finance subsidiary, CIMCO Capital Inc., next January. CIME and Keal Technology, leading software provider for insurance and financial services brokers, have entered into a partnership to benefit Quebec brokers.
RSA Canada announces investment in Real-Time Inquiry.
Toronto - November 23, 2010 - For Canadian Insurance brokerages, online processing and inquiry tools are proven to help boost staff productivity, in turn helping brokers grow their business. RSA Canada is pleased to announce an investment in Real-Time Inquiry, a tool which lets Applied Systems TAM® brokers access their client's billing, claims and policy information quickly and easily, without ever leaving their broker management system.
Manulife's new web tool helps on-the-go advisors connect with clients.
WATERLOO, ON, Nov. 23 2010 - Manulife Investments web video library and magazine program, Solutions, has been expanded to make it easier for advisors across Canada to provide clients with financial planning concepts and tips.
Policy and Product Management
Celent Report: Ceded Property/Casualty Reinsurance Solution Spectrum.
San Francisco, CA, USA - November 15, 2010 - There is increasing interest among primary insurers in reinsurance solutions that provide recordkeeping and execution capabilities to make reinsurance programs provide the value they were designed to provide. In a new report, Ceded Property/Casualty Reinsurance Solution Spectrum, Celent profiles 10 ceded reinsurance solutions from nine vendors. The report looks at the solutions' functionality, technology, customer base, and geographic footprint.
Managing Relationships and Customer Service
Standard Life presents its new simple, relevant, engaging, customized and educational statement.
MONTREAL, Nov. 22 2010 - Standard Life presents the new Plan for lifeTM statement that group savings and retirement plan members will receive starting January 2011. Considered to be one of the main tools that can contribute to sound financial planning, the revamped statement highlights the important information members need in order to make informed decisions about their retirement income planning.
Gore Mutual, Bowne, Win 2010 HP Exstream Visionary Awards.
PALO ALTO, Nov. 18, 2010 - HP today announced the winners of its 2010 Visionary Awards, which recognize HP customers who have used HP Exstream to improve the customer experience through the communications they send. 2010 Visionary Award winners include Bowne, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Gore Mutual Insurance Company, Humana, Nationwide Insurance and Qwest Corporation.
Celent Report: Client Reporting Tools.
New York, NY, USA - November 17, 2010 - In a new report, Client Reporting Tools, Celent examines the market for client reporting solutions in North America and Europe and profiles and benchmarks the offerings of 16 vendors.
eBusiness and Technology
Gartner Identifies Four Converging Trends That Will Change the Face of IT and Business.
Sydney, Australia, November 15, 2010 - From social media to intelligent devices to cloud computing, evaluating how these technologies fit into an organization and their impact on the bottom line will become a critical function of the C-level executive, according to Gartner, Inc. In future, the impact of IT on revenue will be directly related to the financial compensation of CIOs.
Made in IBM Labs: New Architecture Can Double Analytics Processing Speed.
NEW ORLEANS - 19 Nov 2010: At the Supercomputing 2010 conference, IBM (NYSE: IBM) today unveiled details of a new storage architecture design, created by IBM scientists, that will convert terabytes of pure information into actionable insights twice as fast (1) as previously possible.
Capgemini selected by The Main Street America Group to Provide Application Management Services for Guidewire's ClaimCenter System.
CHICAGO and JACKSONVILLE, Fla., - August 10, 2010 - Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, today announced that it has been awarded a five-year application management services contract with super regional property-casualty insurance carrier.
Product Announcements
Foresters Launches Legal Advice Service for Canadian Members.
TORONTO, ON, November 24, 2010 - ForestersTM, a life insurance provider committed to the well being of families, has launched Legal Link, the newest benefit connecting Foresters members and their families to free telephone legal services and discounted legal advice.
Business of Insurance
Globe and Mail's 2010 Insurance Trends Report.
Nov 24 2010 - The Globe and Mail special report on Insurance Trends was published today as part of the Report on Business Section. It covered a number of topics in both the Life and Health and Property and Casualty sectors. Canadians are fortunate in having a stable insurance industry which provides a wide range of competitive products which will protect against the loss of almost anything.
Aite Group Report - Life Reinsurance Pain Points.
Boston, November 22, 2010 - A new report from Aite Group examines the key difficulties that life insurers and reinsurers face in working together. Based on July to November 2010 Aite Group interviews with 25 key executives at North American life insurers, reinsurers, service providers, and technology firms servicing the market, it discusses areas in which insurers and reinsurers might better work together within the context of strategic life reinsurance business drivers.
Consumer Information
Insurance Bureau of Canada applauds federal government for legislation combating auto theft and property crime.
TORONTO, Nov. 18 2010 - Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is applauding the federal government for passing Bill S-9, known as the "Tackling Auto Theft and Property Crime Act." These changes to the Criminal Code of Canada are a significant step forward and a powerful tool for those fighting to increase safety and security for Canadians. The Bill received Royal Assent today and will take effect at a date to be determined.
Allstate Canada Study Shows Ontario Drivers Show Slight Improvement.
TORONTO, Nov. 22 2010 - Allstate Insurance Company of Canada released today its second annual Ontario Safe Driving Study, which ranks Ontario communities based on Allstate Canada data over a three year period (2007-2010). According to the study, Belleville had the lowest frequency of car collisions in all of Ontario, while Brampton had the highest among the 50 communities surveyed.
IBC - New Brunswick latest to introduce distracted driving bill.
TORONTO, Nov. 24 2010 - New Brunswick is the latest province to introduce legislation combating distracted driving. Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) commends the government for taking this important step. New Brunswick's proposed law against distracted driving would prohibit, while driving, the use of any electronic device with a display screen, communication device, or entertainment device that is not firmly attached to a vehicle's dashboard.
from Doug:
We have been blessed here with quite a nice Fall. A couple of days ago though there was promise of a few snowflakes to let us know that Winter is just round the corner. For the better part of half a day, as I looked out from our 7th floor condo - my home office - the visibility grew and shrank, down to a hundred meters at best, then grew again. I knew winter was here after about ten seconds - it really didn't need to keep it up so long. With the Christmas lights and decorations on the city street lamps and in store windows, I guess it is time to start thinking about the season, winter or not. Hope you are getting ready too.