Issue 2004-11:   March 16, 2004

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.

Seminar

Improving Claims Processing: Focus on "People" Claims

Thursday March 25 Toronto will include the presentation of a Case Study, by Rob Timlin, WSIB and Jane Gogeun, BCE Emergis, on an electronic and automated system for Bill Approval and Payment. What had been a process with a large manual component and a series of deficiencies including lengthy payment cycles, uncoordinated processes and cumbersome rules was, over a period of 12 to 18 months, transformed into an electronic process for provider bill capture, eligibility, automated rules-based adjudication and payment.
This seminar has been approved for 3 RIBO CE credits in the management category.

CSIO Insurance Portal Status Update

Week ending March 12: IBAO has completed their roadshow taking Portal information to some seventeen broker communities across the province. The interest and enthusiasm is high.
Facility Association is live now on the Portal for Ontario rates.
Portage Mutual's rates have been loaded and systems tested by ISI - next step user acceptance testing.
The alpha/beta testing brokers continue.

Statistics and Reference

North American Life Insurance Applications Decline 3.8% in 2003: MIB.

North American life insurance applications declined 3.8% on an annualized basis year-over-year, marking the sharpest annual decline since 2000 (-4.8%). For the year, U.S. and Canadian application activity was off 4.1% and 1.4% respectively, compared to 2002. Quarter-to-quarter seasonal trends in the U.S. held steadfast, however 2003 application activity performed at a lower absolute level.

Consumer Information

PEI Update on Auto Insurance Rates.

The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission announced today that its current review of auto insurance rates in the province is nearing completion. Of the 31 insurance companies that have filed their rates, the Commission has completed its review of 21 and has authorized rate reductions that will take effect on April 1, 2004.

Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario meets with Mike Colle, MPP on towing and storage limit.

Robert J. Carter, Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario and Mike Colle, MPP and Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Finance, met to discuss the revisions planned to automobile insurance. One of the items discussed was the proposed provision to limit payments for towing and storage.

ICBC and police crack down on driver licensing fraud.

ICBC and the RCMP announced today that their ongoing investigation of a fraudulent driver licensing scheme operating in the Lower Mainland has led to two arrests.

A lead foot can lead to a lighter wallet: Progressive Insurance.

Usually it's because they have a long way to go and a short time to get there. Sometimes they do it because they're late for work. Or maybe they know Officer Friendly is nowhere in sight. "Lead foot" drivers typically have an excuse, but when the long arm of the law catches up to them, speeders may pay for their haste when it's time to buy or renew their auto insurance.

Marketing and the Market Place

Can Online Marketers Please Canadians? eMarketer.

Prophis Research surveyed Canadians last month and found that telemarketing is considered the most annoying form of advertising, followed by online pop-up ads and spam.

Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Production Expected to Increase: J.D. Power and Associates Reports.

Calif.Production of four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles in North America is expected to increase 10 percent over the next four years, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Global 4WD-Driveline Market ReportSM released today. Four-wheel-drive vehicles, which currently account for one-quarter of all new light vehicles produced in North America, are expected to approach 37 percent market penetration by 2008, according to the report.

e-Business and Technology

Kana Introduces Kane Response Live for Assisted-Service Through Web Collaboration.

KANA, a leading provider of knowledge-powered customer service applications, today announced KANA "Response Live", a KANA Assisted-Service module for Web collaboration, online chat and co-browsing that enables companies to provide real-time interaction over the Web, reducing abandonment rates, positively impacting customer satisfaction and increasing the profitability of each customer relationship.

Claims

Vigil Signs National Agreement with B+L Consultants Inc.

Vigil announces today the signature of a national promotional services agreement with B+L Consultants group of Companies Inc. The agreement centres on the Vigil GPS Satellite tracking solution and will extend over an initial 3 year term.

Distribution

TowerGroup Urges Life Insurers to Explore Nontraditional Distribution Channels.

With the number of career life insurance agents on the decline, new research from TowerGroup urges insurers to explore nontraditional distribution outlets as a means to mitigate potential future losses. These channels include banks and wirehouses, where life insurance premium sales have traditionally been elusive.

Policy Management

Benfield to Use eReinsure Platform to Manage Facultative Reinsurance Solutions for Customers

Benfield, the world-leading independent reinsurance intermediary, today announced an agreement with eReinsure.com Inc. to use the eReinsure technology platform to assist certain ceding companies manage the purchase of facultative reinsurance solutions in London, the United States and Asia.

from Doug:

A little R&R in our Nation's Capital. Spent a whole day in the Museum of Civilization. What wonderful displays they have there - what a wonderful history we have to explore.