The Chronicle: Issue 2013-18, May 7, 2013
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What's Going Through The Intersection of Insurance and Technology?
What Do Agents & Brokers Do Anyway?
Broker Marketing: Feed the Lizard |
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Telematics
IMS: UBI in Canada and what Canadian insurers need to consider
While usage-based insurance (UBI) is quickly gaining traction in the United States and United Kingdom, there is also a history of UBI programs in Canada. Aviva Canada was in the market until two years ago, and Industrial Alliance is currently running a program in Quebec. That said, the tide has returned, and a number of insurance carriers are lining up to launch UBI programs north of the border this coming year.
Claims
ISB Canada offers auto fraud seminar in Edmonton and Calgary, May 14 & 16
Combat Auto Fraud: This is your invitation to attend the ISB Education Training and Resources Session. This series of regularly scheduled training sessions provides professionals with the knowledge and tools they need in conducting claim investigations.
Restoration leader Winmar joins the Symbility cloud
Symbility Solutions Inc., provider of cloud-based smartphone/tablet-enabled claims technology using the most comprehensive data for the property and casualty insurance industry, is pleased to announce that Winmar Franchise Corp., a London, Ontario-based independently owned and operated property restoration company with over 85 offices across Canada, has signed a multi-year agreement to integrate Symbility into its operations.
Social Business
Celent: Impact of Social Media use on North American Insurers
An industry trend report by Michael Fitzgerald, Senior Analyst. Social media began to impact insurers in 2009 as pioneering companies used the networks to promote and protect their brands. Over the next several years, various surveys charted its growing use and sophistication. As 2013 begins, social media in insurance has established a firm foothold in North America. However, strategies, goals and execution vary from company to company.
Human Resources and Jobs
Recruiting and Social Media: From posting to engaging – Michelle Straka, InsuranceWorks
Is there really such a thing as “social recruiting”? Definitions of Web 2.0 vary greatly but it is nearly impossible to deny the prevalence of social media in this newest incarnation of the Internet. In a remarkably short time, social media has shifted from being its own movement to being an application used by other Internet verticals in order to create new business models.
Distribution
Accenture: U.S. insurance customers prefer information from digital sources, purchases from human agents
U.S. consumers are turning to digital sources for insurance quotes and other information, but still prefer personal contact with agents when purchasing insurance products, according to an Accenture survey of more than 4,000 U.S. automobile and home insurance customers.
In The Community
State Farm names two Canadian causes among Neighbourhood Assist grants
After more than 3.4 million votes, State Farm is proud to announce that two Canadian causes are among the top 40 vote winners that will each receive a $25,000 grant to improve the local community. Nearly 100,000 people took to Facebook and voted for their favourite causes on the State Farm Neighbourhood Assist Facebook application.
Economical sponsors Relay For Life in support of fight against cancer
The Canadian Cancer Society estimates the number of new cases of cancer will increase by approximately 60 per cent over the next 20 years; Economical Insurance is proudly supporting the fight to eradicate this leading cause of premature death in Canada with title sponsorships of three Relay For Life events this June.
Business of Insurance
CLIFE: Agents and Advisors poorly informed on CE
CLIFE, the Centre for Life Insurance and Financial Education, a provider of continuing education for financial advisors, announces findings from its survey of more than 5,000 agent-advisors.
IBC: Fix the auto insurance system before fixing rates
The government's plan to target a 15% rate reduction will only work if appropriate reforms consistent with the scope of reductions are in place, says Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Mainstream technology adoption impacting auto insurance, reports J.D. Power & Associates
Mainstream adoption of technology is having a major impact on the way auto insurance customers in Canada interact with their insurance provider, according to the J.D. Power & Associates 2013 Canadian Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study released today.
Wynward unveiled as new name and brand for Grain Insurance
Grain Insurance today unveiled its new name and corporate brand - Wynward Insurance Group - including a vibrant new logo that reflects the company's successful evolution into a highly differentiated, customer-focused company. The updated brand is the result of an intensive design and creative process and will appear across all customer experience platforms as well as all advertising and social media.
eMarketer: Canadians want utility and fun in their smartphone apps
Weather apps take the cake when it comes to what smartphone users in Canada need to run their day, according to December 2012 market research from brand strategy firm BrandSpark International. Nearly three-quarters of smartphone app users in the country reported using weather apps regularly, followed closely by Facebook and gaming apps.
Consumer Information
TD Insurance: Most Canadian homeowners fail to consider insurance consequences before renovating
Many homeowners who want a change without a big move decide to give their home a facelift instead of moving. But research from TD Insurance has found that the majority of homeowners do not consider the insurance implications of their renovations: only 6% checked their policy to ensure they were covered during the upgrades and just 16% asked their insurer if their policy needed an update following their last renovation.
IBAO: Fraud reforms welcome, rate reductions will take time
The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) is encouraged that the government intends to implement key measures of the Auto Insurance Anti-Fraud Task Force as a central part of its plan to lower auto insurance premiums.
The Guarantee Company of North America gears up for The Guarantee Transportation Solution
Specialist transportation brokers and customers are looking for a fresh alternative in this niche marketplace. The Guarantee Company of North America is making the commitment to be that company.
Foresters launches Familylife Whole Life Insurance
Today, Foresters launched a new participating whole life insurance product, Familylife, designed to provide families with cost-effective permanent insurance options tailored to their budget and unique protection needs. Foresters is a leading life insurance provider that champions family well-being through quality products, unique member benefits and inspiring community activities.