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Issue 2003-5:   February 4, 2003

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.

Please forward this newsletter to a fellow employee, or someone else involved in the insurance industry, if you think they would have some interest in the information. For subscribe/unsubscribe details, see the bottom of this note.

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This issue's sponsor:

CompreMed Canada Inc. at http://www.compremed.com

" A national health network company delivering customized medical services. "

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Managing Relationships and Customer Service

Co-operators urges Vigilance for Life and Pension Customers; Call Centre Expanded.

Clients with individual life insurance policies and pension plans from Co-operators Life Insurance Company are being urged to be vigilant and watch for unusual activity in their banking, credit card and other transactions following the disappearance of a hard drive containing personal client information from a Regina contractor's facility. The Co-operators has expanded its Regina call centre's hours of service and is increasing the number of incoming telephone lines to better address the concerns of its clients. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/relations/canada/CoopLife200301.php

Major Canadian Web Banking Site Redesigns Raise Competitive Stakes: Gomez.

During one of the most intense six months of site development ever witnessed in Canada, five financial services firms launched new Web banking platforms and another two are planning imminent releases, according to research conducted by Gómez Inc., the Internet Quality Measurement leader, for its Q4 2002 Canadian Internet Banker Scorecard. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/relations/canada/GomezBank200301.php

Distribution

Need an Easier and Faster Way of Doing Trucking Insurance? Submit your Business On-line Using Markel’s “I-QUOTE”.

I-QUOTE is a new Internet quote service available to Markel and non-Markel brokers alike, allowing them to submit trucking business directly on-line, for accounts with 9 trucks or less. I-QUOTE was launched in November of 2002 and has quickly become the preferred way of doing business for many brokers. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/distribution/canada/IQUOTE200301.php

Western Financial Group Subsidiary - Bank West - Receives OSFI Approval.

Bank West, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western Financial Group Inc. has been advised by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (Canada) that Bank West has received an Order to Commence and Carry on Business. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/distribution/canada/WFGBank200301.php

CSIO Insurance Portal Status Update

CSIO Portal status and project information at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/csioip/csioip.php

Week ending January 31: The number of brokers connected to the Portal increased by 1 to 23.

Insurance Products

Industrial Alliance offers its clients more flexibility and support in case of critical illness.

Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services recently launched a new version of Transition, an insurance product that provides financial protection in the event of a critical illness. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/consproducts/health-critical/IndAlliance200301.php

Technology and e-Business

NetManage and Noble House International Team to Help Customers Maximize Time-to-Market and Cost Savings with OnWeb.

NetManage, Inc., experts in host access and integration solutions, and Noble House International (NHI), an IT strategy consulting firm, today announced a partnership in which the two companies will work together to fulfill the growing demand for NetManage’s OnWeb. OnWeb is a server-based software solution that allows companies to quickly Web-enable host applications. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/ebusiness/announce/NobleHI200301.php

Marketing and Marketplace

Canadians Can Bank Online: eMarketer.

According to NFO CFGroup, the number of Canadians with online banking accounts rose from 20% in 2000 to 31% in 2002. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/market/canada/eMarketerCB200301.php

Retirement Software Study Leads the Way to Better Planning for Baby-Boomers: LIMRA.

For millions of baby-boomers, the retirement years will be unlike those of any previous generation. And unlike previous generations, the new retirees will have software and technology to help them manage the risks and uncertainties of living longer and needing to be more self-reliant in retirement. A new evaluation of retirement planning software conducted by LIMRA International, the Society of Actuaries, and the International Foundation for Retirement Education looks at those risks and identifies ways that software programs can adapt to the pending post-retirement period. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/market/other/LIMRARetire200301.php

Insurance Business

E*TRADE Canada announces agreement to acquire Sun Life Securities brokerage accounts.

E(*)TRADE Canada announced that on January 6, an agreement was reached to acquire Sun Life Securities brokerage accounts. Additionally, Sun Life Financial's Group Retirement Services and Clarica Advisors will refer clients to E(*)TRADE Canada's top ranked online brokerage service. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/business/canada/ETRADESL200301.php

Claims

FM Global Releases FREE 2003 Catalog of Property Loss Prevention Resources.

Commercial and industrial property insurer FM Global has just released its free 2003 Property Loss Prevention Resource Catalog containing its most popular loss prevention products to help risk managers, facility and plant managers, and others responsible for property loss prevention, to effectively manage their property-related hazards. Online and printed versions are available. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/claims/canada/FMGlobal200301.php

Fireplaces & Chimneys. Are You Proactive or Overreactive? The I-ENG-A Report.

It is not our goal to deter anyone from converting to gas burning fireplaces. It is important, however, to have all the facts before making what can be a sizable investment. More at http://www.insurance-canada.ca/claims/canada/IENGA200301.php

from Doug:

The tragic losses of the last few days, from ocean to mountain to space, remind us of the risks and rewards of not only pushing the bounds, but everyday life. Those events paralleled a winter sports weekend with the boys - the pleasure of the outdoors - and a Saturday funeral and celebration of a distant family member. Many opportunities to renew with those we see infrequently. Grab the moment.

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