The Chronicle: Issue 2015-51, December 22, 2015
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What's Going Through The Intersection of Insurance and Technology?
Insurance: A Reversal of the Disruptor Role? |
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Technology
Echoworx: Privacy to drive evolution of threat landscape in 2016
Echoworx, maker of OneWorld, the first smart platform for message encryption, predicts that businesses are going to be putting security technologies at the top of their Christmas lists in order to cope with the rapidly changing threat landscape in 2016.
IDC Canada releases 2016 Canadian ICT Predictions
International Data Corporation (IDC) Canada just released its top information and communication technology predictions for 2016. 2016 Canadian ICT Predictions and Forecast: Digital Transformation and Disruption was presented during IDC's annual Canadian ICT Predictions webcast on December 3rd, and provides business decision makers and technology vendors with insight and perspective on the top developments that will affect the Canadian market in the year to come.
IBM opens Watson IoT global headquarters in Munich
IBM has announced the opening of its global headquarters for Watson Internet of Things (IoT), launching a series of new offerings, capabilities and ecosystem partners designed to extend the power of cognitive computing to a connected world – the billions of connected devices, sensors and systems that comprise the IoT. These new offerings will be available through the IBM Watson IoT Cloud, the company's global platform for IoT business and developers.
TEI/IET Mobility Newsletter: Electrification of Transportation and Looking Ahead
The Transportation Evolution Institute is a staunch supporter of electrification of transportation. For Canada, it is a no-brainer. Almost 70% of Canada's electricity is generated through renewables and thanks to utility efforts, this percentage is increasing. Instead of importing fossil fuels and hurting the provincial trade balances, it makes strong economic sense to use electricity produced locally to power our mobility solutions.
Desjardins Group launches innovation lab in partnership with InnoCité MTL and Hacking Health
Desjardins Group has opened its very first innovation lab – Desjardins Lab, located on the main floor of the South Tower of Complexe Desjardins. The purpose of this physical and virtual space is to pave the way for Desjardins' future by encouraging the development and exchange of innovative ideas to improve the experience for our members and clients.
V-NEO and Voonyx sign a 5-year agreement with SSQ Financial Group
V-NEO and Voonyx are proud to announce a major agreement with SSQ Financial Group, a leading Canadian insurer. The agreement consists of accompanying SSQ throughout its Guidewire software initiatives for the next five years. The agreement comes further to a call for tenders launched by SSQ last July to find a service provider able to maintain, upgrade and develop general insurance solutions using Guidewire software.
Distribution
Applied Systems launches Applied Epic 2016
Applied Systems has announced the release of Applied Epic 2016, the fastest-growing agency and brokerage management system, to the U.S. and Canadian insurance marketplaces. Applied Epic 2016 provides expanded and additional market-first capabilities for an entire agency or brokerage's staff to manage benefits, automate sales operations, customize workflows, and assess carrier market appetite for specific commercial risks within a single application.
Business of Insurance
iA Financial Group launches new version of SecurOption
Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. is proud to launch the improved version of SecurOption – Lifetime Retirement Income, the guaranteed lifetime retirement income option of its group retirement plans.
Claims
Swiss Re releases preliminary sigma estimates for 2015
Preliminary sigma estimates indicate total economic losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters will reach approximately USD 85 billion in 2015. Insured losses, however, were just USD 32 billion. Insured losses from natural catastrophes were lower than in 2014, while man-made losses were higher. The explosions at the Port of Tianjin in China are expected to lead to the year's biggest insured loss, and the biggest man-made insured loss in Asia ever. In total, approximately 26 000 people lost their lives in disaster events this year, double the amount in 2014.
ISB Canada makes enhanced APP for collision reports available through online order centre
ISB Canada, a leading information sourcing company, is pleased to announce it will provide its insurance partners with significantly faster and less expensive collision reporting for Ottawa-area claims. The improvements are made possible through a recent agreement with the Ottawa Police Service for administrative access to its newly launched, enhanced APP, an end-to-end electronic report delivery solution.
Consumer Information
IBC's Top 10 tips for a safe holiday season on the roads
As the winter season officially begins, Insurance Bureau of Canada is providing Canadians with some driving tips to ensure everyone gets safely to and from their holiday celebrations. Lower temperatures, increased precipitation, and busier roads can make driving at this time of year hazardous.
IBAO: How to protect your valuables this holiday season
There has been an increase of vehicle break-ins this fall across Ontario and the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) wants to prepare Ontario drivers with some basic tips on how to protect their valuables as they shop and travel this holiday season. Time of year is particularly vulnerable as criminals target unsuspecting shoppers. Thieves will loiter around malls and parking lots looking for shoppers who have placed purchases in their vehicles and then return into the mall for additional shopping.
The Co-operators and TIRF report calls for national plan on distracted driving
The Co-operators and the Traffic Injury Research Foundation have released a report that provides a snapshot of activities underway in Canada to reduce distracted driving.
TIRF poll: Drunk driving often happens with family or friends
A new Road Safety Monitor (RSM) poll conducted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) and produced in partnership with Beer Canada, State Farm and the Toyota Canada Foundation reveals that among the minority of drivers who admit to driving when they thought they were over the legal limit, 44% did so when accompanied by a life partner and/or family member and one-third (32.5%) when in the company of close friends. The public opinion poll conducted in October and November 2015 investigated Canadians' behaviours and actions in relation to drinking and driving as well as trends.
In The Community
Intact Foundation provides local and international support for Syrian refugees
In response to the growing need for humanitarian aid and relief for Syrian refugees, the Intact Foundation has announced a donation to UNICEF Canada to support displaced youth remaining overseas, with additional funding for immigrant employment centres across Canada.