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
Aviva announces agreement with Policy Works to Exchange Commercial Lines Data.
TORONTO, ON, October 11, 2007 - Aviva Canada Inc. is pleased to announce that we have entered into an agreement with Policy Works Inc. to exchange commercial-lines data, developing an efficient broker systems integration solution.
Keal Technology’s sigXP and comXP to integrate with Applied Systems’ WARP
TORONTO, Ontario, Canada — October 17, 2007 — Today at the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario Convention (IBAO), Applied Systems and Keal Technology jointly announce an integration partnership. The partnership will see Keal’s commercial management system (CMS), comXP, integrate with Applied Systems broker management system (BMS), The Agency Manager (TAM®), using the Applied ConneXion® tool kit.
Keal Technology's comXP to integrate with Applied Systems' TAM
TORONTO, Ontario, Canada - October 17, 2007 - Today at the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario Convention (IBAO), Applied Systems and Keal Technology jointly announce an integration partnership. The partnership will see Keal’s commercial management system (CMS), comXP, integrate with Applied Systems broker management system (BMS), The Agency Manager (TAM®), using the Applied ConneXion® tool kit.
Allstate Insurance Company begins a new chapter in Canada.
KIRKLAND, QC, Oct. 18, 2007 - Allstate Insurance Company of Canada started a new chapter in its long and successful history in Canada with the opening of the first new Allstate Insurance Agency in Kirkland, Quebec. "Today is a significant milestone for Allstate because it is the first step in our transformation of how we conduct business in Canada," said Mike Donoghue, President and CEO of Allstate.
Product Announcements
HealthQuotes.ca Inc. Announces the Addition of the Ontario Blue Cross Tangible Product.
Toronto ON - 18 October 2007 - HealthQuotes.ca is pleased to announce the availability of the Ontario Blue Cross Tangible product. The Tangible product offers Long Term Care hybrid coverage with life insurance, critical illness insurance as well as disability insurance.
Standard life adds luster to its Ideal Segregated Funds.
MONTREAL, Oct. 15, 2007 - The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada today announced the launch of its new Ideal Segregated Funds - Platinum Option targeted to affluent investors with a minimum of $250,000. This high-end option is ideal for clients approaching retirement, allowing them to consolidate their assets and benefit from reduced fees.
Our People
SCM Adjusters Announces Toronto Job Fair, Assisted by InsuranceWorks.ca.
SCM Adjusters is growing and is pleased to announce their 2nd Toronto Job Fair of 2007. Come Grow With Us!
Thursday November 8th, 2007 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm
at SCM's new Corporate office located in downtown Toronto at 120 Adelaide Street West, Suite 2401.
Marketing and the Market Place
Manulife Investor Sentiment Index pulls back from seven-year highs.
WATERLOO, ON, Oct. 17, 2007 - Canadians' interest in investments lost ground in September amid concerns about U.S. sub-prime mortgages and softer equity markets at the time, according to a national poll for Manulife Financial, Canada's leading insurance and wealth management company. The 35th quarterly Manulife Investor Sentiment Index fell 11 points to +20, after hovering for the three previous quarters near its highest levels since 2001.
The Co-operators Outlines First Steps in "Sustainability Journey".
BURLINGTON, ON, Oct. 17, 2007 - Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators outlined the initial stages of the group of companies' "sustainability journey" as the keynote speaker at the Ontario Co-operative Association's 7th Annual Co-op Conference and Gala in Burlington, Ontario.
New Eastbridge report looks at the opportunities for voluntary in the very large employer market.
AVON, CONNECTICUT, USA (October 11, 2007) - Today, very large employers (those with 5,000+ employees) employ 37 million employees in the U.S. Yet as a percentage of the number of businesses, they are only about one-half of one percent of the total number of employers in the country. These dynamics make many companies wonder if the market is a good opportunity for voluntary players.
Guy Carpenter Issues Third Annual Survey of Specialty Program Issuing Carriers.
New York, October 11, 2007 - Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC, the leading global risk and reinsurance specialist and a part of the Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC), today published its third annual survey of domestic insurance companies that write specialty program business through program administrators. The survey examines issuing carriers and their appetites for program business, touching on program administrator criteria, claims administration requirements, monitoring and control practices, reinsurance purchasing practices and views of specialty program market conditions.
Business of Insurance
Royal & SunAlliance to acquire Canadian Northern Shield Insurance.
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2007 - The Royal & SunAlliance Canada Group (R&SA), a leading property, automobile and commercial insurer, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to purchase all of the shares of Canadian Northern Shield Insurance Company (CNS) from The CUMIS Group Limited for approximately $75 million payable in cash. This acquisition will make R&SA the sixth largest P&C insurance company in Canada and the market leader in British Columbia.
Conning Research: Annual Life Settlement Volume Rises to $6.1 Billion in 2006.
Hartford, CT, October 9, 2007 - From virtually no activity a decade ago, investment managers are raising capital on a global scale to invest in the new asset of life settlements. The result is an increasing number and value of life insurance settlements to meet growing capital demands, according to a new study by Conning Research and Consulting, Inc.
Claims
BUS launches flagship product BUS Manager(TM).
MONTREAL, Oct. 16, 2007 - BUS Systems Inc. (TSX-V: BUS) is pleased to announce the launch of its flagship product, BUS Manager(TM). Over the next two weeks, BUS will install its first 20 licences for Procolor Prestige, a customer that already has licences for BUS Controller(TM) accounting software.
Consumer Information
La Capitale General Insurance partners with Michelin to increase safety awareness on wintry roads.
La Capitale General Insurance and Michelin have joined forces to encourage better, safer winter driving on Quebec roads.
Hospital admissions for ATV injuries up 25% in less than a decade: CIHI.
October 4, 2007-In just under a decade, hospitalizations related to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Canada increased by 25%, rising from 3,296 in 1996-1997 to 4,104 in 2004-2005, according to new analysis from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). ATVs include both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles.
eBusiness and Technology
Gartner Identifies the Top 10 Strategic Technologies for 2008.
STAMFORD, Conn., October 9, 2007 - Gartner, Inc. analysts today highlighted the top 10 technologies and trends that will be strategic for most organizations. The analysts presented their findings during Gartner Symposium/ITxpo, being held here through October 12.
from Doug:
It was great this weekend to host a meeting here in Toronto of the heritage group I belong to. Friends from Saint John to Vancouver attended. We managed a couple of evening gatherings around an all day meeting on Saturday. It is fascinating to watch the group dynamics as the group, with a mixture of mainstays and new members, evolves. Never a shortage of strongly felt opinions. Many good friends.