Industry
1998 proved to be a record year for mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the insurance industry, with total transactions exceeding US$150 billion. But the pace of insurance M&As sputtered in the second half of 1998, failing to pick up any real momentum in 1999. What lies ahead for 2000?
By David Carr | December 31, 1999
8 min read
Each year U.S. insureds are involved in about 35 million automobile accidents. The cost to repair these vehicles tops an eye-popping nine billion dollars — more than the combined 1998 net incomes of Microsoft, Sears and Disney. Not surprisingly, automobile insurance companies in the U.S. and Canada are seeking tools to better allocate their resources […]
By Michael Andrews | December 31, 1999
3 min read
Pressed with rising claim costs and cutthroat pricing, insurers are having to look for cost-effective ways to reduce operating costs. Technology is expected to play a significant role in this respect in coming years, however an area offering enormous short-term scope is electronic settlement of casualty losses. Virtual settlement has finally come to Canada.
By Gary Winston, Director and General Manager of Canadian Operation | December 31, 1999
In a move towards cutting $500 million out of its operating expenses, CIBC recently announced it was cutting 4200 jobs, roughly 10% of its entire workforce. While the bank will not release figures on the jobs being cut — maintaining they are across the board — CIBC sources have indicated an internal memo announced CIBC […]
December 31, 1999
2 min read
The independent adjuster faces an array of challenges in the year ahead, concedes new Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association (OIAA) president Christina Welton. Greater regulatory scrutiny on licensing, a pending court case that could introduce more liability for claims professionals, and the ever present carrier cost squeeze will continue to make life interesting for the industry. […]
By Lowell Conn | December 31, 1999
6 min read
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is proposing the establishment of a Natural Disaster Reduction Plan, which would see all levels of government contribute a total of up to $750 million over five years to create a Natural Disaster Protection Fund. George Anderson, president of the IBC, announced the proposal at a December lunch at […]
1 min read
The 1999 third quarter returns for both Canadian and U.S. property and casualty insurers show little improvement in net earnings, with the return on investment of both sectors now hovering at around the 7% mark. The real problem child surfacing from the first nine-month results from both Canada and the U.S is a dramatic decline […]
5 min read
The North American Insurance Conference, recently held in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, drew an equal crowd of Canadian and U.S. insurance attendees, the event speakers covering a broad range of subjects from reinsurance market conditions through to the impact of primary company consolidation and the evolution of financial services distribution. However, a panel debate on […]
By Sean van Zyl, Editor | December 31, 1999
The majority of brokers that have sold their business, or are contemplating the prospect of doing so, have reacted for one or more of the following reasons: Rate of attrition and threats from dwindling volumes; Desire to be a part of a bigger company that can provide markets, capital, and assistance with direction; Want to […]
November 30, 1999
The Supreme Court of Ontario has ruled in favour of insurers who mounted a challenge against a City of Toronto bylaw outlawing insurers from directing their insureds to preferred bodyshops. “This is a big victory for the industry and for the insureds,” remarks one stakeholder, CGU Group Ltd. claims manager Wayne Roth. According to the […]
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