Zurich Canada teams with Verisk Crime Analytics to combat cargo and heavy equipment crime

Toronto, ON (Nov. 19, 2012) – Zurich Canada announced today that they are working with Verisk Crime Analytics divisions CargoNet and the National Equipment Register – two North American data sharing platforms that combat cargo and heavy equipment theft. Verisk Crime Analytics is a unit of Verisk Analytics.

The CargoNet and NER programs are built around national property crime databases and secure information sharing systems that support law enforcement investigations through theft alerts, data analytics, and 24-hour subject-matter expert support. The systems enhance preventative activities, increase recovery chances, and allow Zurich and its policyholders to further their efforts to combat property crime.

“I’m proud of Zurich’s leadership in the transportation and heavy equipment industries and of our initiative to implement loss control and risk mitigation solutions for our customers. Much like we’ve done with environmental remediation, through Spill Reporting Online, this service puts our customers in better control of their business and assets,” said Patrick Lundy, Zurich Canada President. “Our relationship with CargoNet is the culmination of an investigative journey we started in 2008. We’re very proud of the hard work and effort by all parties, from the launch of the Canadian Trucking Association Cargo Crime Task Force to the implementation of a singular, organised and structured solution for Zurich customers to deal with crime.”

In May of 2011, Zurich Canada was a sponsor of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) Report on Cargo Crime in Canada. The purpose of the study was to identify trends in cargo crime across the country, identify best practices in combat cargo crime, and develop an action plan for the private and public sector to address this important issue.

“A key finding of the CTA crime report and analysis of heavy equipment theft is that crime information sharing must improve, both in real time — between theft victims and law enforcement — as well as in aggregate so that theft trends and economic impact can be better understood,” said David Shillingford, president of Verisk Crime Analytics. “CargoNet and NER are designed to support this strategy in a secure and controlled environment and in a way that quickly improves the bottom lines of insurers and their policyholders. Zurich Canada’s early support of these programs is critical to long term success and demonstrates their industry leadership and policyholder-centric viewpoint.”

About Zurich, Canada

Zurich Canada is a part of Zurich Insurance Group, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Zurich Insurance Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland and employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries, including more than 9,500 employees in North America. Zurich Canada is focused on developing solutions for: large Canadian corporations; Canadian-based multinationals; customers in the public sector, real estate, construction, transportation, manufacturing and environmental industries; and groups and associations in niche markets.

About CargoNet

A division of the Verisk Crime Analytics unit at Verisk Analytics, CargoNet® helps prevent cargo theft and improve recovery rates through secure and controlled information collection among theft victims, their business partners, and sharing crime information with law enforcement. CargoNet is centered on a national database and information sharing system managed by crime analysts and subject matter experts. By applying a synchronized, layered approach, CargoNet exploits the weaknesses of cargo thieves at multiple points. CargoNet offers integrated databases, a theft alert system, task force and investigations support, a tractor/trailer theft deterrence program, and the TruckStopWatch program®. CargoNet also provides driver education and incentives, secondary market monitoring and interdictions, crime trend analysis and loss control services, and training. More information on CargoNet can be found at www.cargonet.com.

About National Equipment Register

A division of the Verisk Crime Analytics unit at Verisk Analytics, National Equipment Register (NER) helps equipment owners manage equipment risks. Since 2001, NER has helped thousands of equipment owners and their insurers deter theft and has enabled law enforcement to recover millions of dollars of stolen equipment through HELPtech®, a national equipment marking and registration program. In 2009, NER launched IRONcheck®, a machine-history search for used-equipment buyers. In 2011, NER launched IRONwatch™, a no-monthly-fee GPS tracking and recovery device for mobile assets. NER’s data management skills and equipment expertise are also used by fleets to support compliance with new regulations. You can visit the NER website at www.ner.net.