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.
To subscribe to this newsletter or view past issues.
To forward a copy of this newsletter, update your account or unsubscribe - use the links at the bottom of this newsletter.
The Chronicle: Issue 2011-16, April 19, 2011
Claims
Symbility Signs Contract with La Capitale General Insurance.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(March 30, 2011)Symbility Solutions, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Automated Benefits Corp. announces the finalization of an agreement with La Capitale General Insurance, a leading home and auto insurance company in Quebec. La Capitale General Insurance is experiencing significant growth and therefore ranks among the five largest insurers in Quebec. Other insurance properties held by La Capitale include L'Unique General Insurance and York Fire and Casualty Insurance Company.
eBusiness and Technology
Aviva Canada offers important insurance info on-the-go.
April 15, 2011 - (Toronto, ON) - Aviva Canada, one of the country's leading providers of home, auto, leisure and business insurance, today announced the launch of its new mobile website. The new Aviva Canada mobile website can be accessed by visiting avivacanada.com from any browser-enabled smartphone and offers consumers easy access to important information from anywhere they receive phone coverage.
Johnson Inc. Launches New Mobile App.
ST. JOHN'S, NL, April 14 2011 - Today, Johnson Inc. is taking its customer service delivery to a new level with the launch of its new mobile app for the Apple iPhone. "The mobile app allows us to use innovative technology to support our customers at a time when they need it most," said Ken Bennett, President of Johnson Inc. "The mobile app is another solid example of our commitment to excellent service and how doing the right thing for our customers, is at the centre of everything we do."
Eastern Shore Consulting Completes Core System Software Evaluation, Selection, and Procurement Project at COUNTRY Financial.
April 12, 2011 - Eastern Shore Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in insurance software selection services, today announced it has completed the management and oversight of an extensive project with COUNTRY Financial focused on the evaluation, selection, and procurement of multiple new core processing systems. In addition, Eastern Shore Consulting has provided COUNTRY Financial with a formal and disciplined methodology to be used for future software evaluation and selection efforts.
Pitney Bowes Business Insight Launches MapInfo Manager.
TROY, N.Y., March 21, 2011 - Pitney Bowes Business Insight, a global leader in customer data, analytics and communication software and services, today announced the launch of MapInfo Manager, a revolutionary application that allows GIS managers, IT managers and data stewards to more easily catalog, search and locate geospatial data for anyone within an organization.
ADVERTISEMENT
How today's insurance companies can improve customer service and process efficiency.
Customers expectations are increasing. Claims and underwriting processes are getting more complex. How can insurance companies continue to meet - and go beyond - customer and competitive demands? Jay Woo, CIO from the Canadian Automobile Association in South Central Ontario (CAASCO), will be speaking on these topics at a free breakfast forum.
Sponsored by Microsoft and Hyland Software, the details of the event on Thursday, April 21 in Toronto are here
Register here
Policy and Product Management
SCM-RMS: iClarify Live in British Columbia.
Vancouver, BC - April 13, 2011 SCM Risk Management Services (RMS) is pleased to announce that iClarify services are now running live in British Columbia. More than 50 brokerages across the province took part in pilot testing, which started in November 2010 and continued through the first quarter of 2011. More than 150 BC brokerages have real-time access to the iClarify residential property validation service, significantly improving accuracy and driving efficiencies.
Duck Creek Technologies Continues Strong Market Pace.
BOLIVAR MO-April 15, 2011 -- Duck Creek Technologies, Inc., a provider of innovative software and services for the insurance industry, continues to strengthen its position as a leader for next-generation property and casualty solutions, with seven sales in the first quarter of 2011.
Sapiens Announces INSIGHT for Reinsurance Solution V5, with Increased Financial and Accounting Capabilities.
Cary, N.C. - April 11, 2011 - Sapiens International Corporation N.V., a global provider of innovative insurance software solutions and a member of the Formula Group, announced today that a new version of INSIGHT for Reinsurance, the company's reinsurance software solution for reinsurance, is now available.
Distribution
Hub International Acquires Additional Operations of Phoenix Insurance Group.
Chicago April 5, 2011 - Hub International Limited (Hub), a leading insurance brokerage firm, announced today it has acquired the assets of four additional middle market agencies that operate as part of the Phoenix Insurance Group Inc. (Phoenix), a cluster partnership of various Alberta-based brokerages.
What's Going Through The Intersection, an Insurance-Canada.ca Blog.
- Collaboration Roadmap – Implications for Distribution
Several analysts at the 2011 Insurance Canada Technology Conference noted a trend towards collaboration on data and documents within the insurance community. A recently published article in CMS Wire by Joe Shepley, a strategy consulting professional, provides a roadmap that could be used by insurers, brokers, claims professionals and risk managers who are interested in exploring the potential positive impacts of collaboration.
- Data: Where Marketing and IT Meet
Marketing-IT relationships have historically been challenging. Marketers generally want to understand new trends and opportunities, and take this curiosity to the world of technology. IT professionals usually share this curiosity, but when it comes to enterprise computing, frequently like to err on the side of stability and caution.
- Are Tablets Just New Tools, Or Change Agents?
There has been debate in the Insurance IT community which may be resolved before it actually builds up steam. The central question now is, “Will Tablets be an alternative to laptop computer devices.” The real questions might be, “Who is going to support our producers using Tablets and What will we do with all those obsolete laptops ?”
Marketing and the Market Place
RSA goes "BIG" with new Commercial Insurance campaign.
TORONTO, March 23, 2011 - Industry leading Canadian P&C insurance provider, RSA, is making a splash with their new advertising campaign "We're big on...". With over 300 years of experience, RSA is an established 'A' rated insurer offering a complete suite of commercial insurance solutions for small business to multi-nationals through a network of independent brokers.
Manulife Financial launches ad campaign to make Canadians aware of how they can financially plan for retirement.
TORONTO, April 13 2011 - Manulife is launching an investor advertising campaign to take its Product Allocation strategy to Canadians to help them work with their advisors as they plan ahead for retirement. As part of an initiative launched for advisors in 2008, Manulife's newest Canadian ad campaign aims to help consumers learn more about Product Allocation from Manulife and how it can help them better plan and protect their retirement income.
LIMRA Finds Life Insurance Ownership Gap Closes Between Men and Women.
WINDSOR, Conn., Mar. 23, 2011 - In 2010, almost six out of 10 women owned some sort of life insurance, which is on par with men's life insurance ownership, according to a recent study of life insurance ownership conducted by LIMRA. While life insurance ownership levels are down from 2004, the decline was smaller for women. However, when looking at coverage levels, on average, women's coverage is only about 69 percent of men's coverage.
Managing Relationships and Customer Service
Sun Life strengthens leadership in workplace wellness.
TORONTO, April 13 2011 - Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life") today announced it has agreed to acquire full ownership of Buffett & Company Worksite Wellness Inc. (Buffett & Company). Buffett & Company is a pioneer in evidence-based workplace wellness programs in Canada and this acquisition will significantly strengthen Sun Life's leadership and growth capabilities in supporting employee and organizational health. Sun Life has held a 36 per cent stake in Buffett & Company since 2008.
Reference and Statistics
Towers Watson Survey Finds Defined Benefit Pensions at a Tipping Point.
TORONTO, April 6, 2011 - As retirement savings adequacy and security becomes an election issue, a new survey of more than 150 Canadian pension plan sponsors from global professional services firm Towers Watson (NYSE, NASDAQ: TW), indicates that just over half (51%) of the private sector Defined Benefit (DB) plan respondents have now converted their plans to Defined Contribution (DC) arrangements for current or future employees - up from 42% in 2008. The study suggests that this trend shows no sign of relenting.
Consumer Information
Allstate Insurance - Stop the Cycle: Protect Your Bike From Theft.
TORONTO, April 12, 2011 - It can take less than 30 seconds for someone to steal a bike in broad daylight. Allstate Insurance Company of Canada wants to ensure that Canadian cyclists are doing enough to protect their bikes. While bike locks are a theft deterrent, they are not theft proof. Between bolt cutters and hacksaws, it doesn't take long for an ill-willed person to pick out a bike, break through the lock and ride away with it.
from Doug:
A heritage day on Saturday provided us with some more insights. One was by a reenactor from the London ON area who plays mostly in the War of 1812 timeframe. He entertained and educated us about reenacting (fun, outdoors, educate himself and others) described his uniform and how it evolved in the forests of North America from the initial European designs mostly because of the heavy forests here, and told us the prerequisites to be a soldier (2 opposing teeth in order to bite open a cartridge, and a trigger finger). Camp-followers - women and children - had many duties, but the job in demand. Women received half-rations and children quarter rations. But if the woman's husband was killed, she had 48 hours to choose a new one - no pressure there!
The Chronicle is for members of the Canadian Insurance Industry,
and those who serve it. The newsletter is published weekly by Insurance-Canada.ca Inc., 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.
NOTES/Subscribe/Unsubscribe:
To subscribe, use the "Subscribe" link on the page at /newsletter/newsletter.php. If you are subscribed and wish to be removed or have you address changed, or are otherwise having any problems with the newsletter service, send a note to Doug Grant.
