Issue 2010-19 -- May 11, 2010

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.




Claims

ServiceMaster of Canada Won an ICTA Award in the Service Provider - Mobile category.
ServiceMaster earned this ICTA for their Mobile Service Manager, a web-hosted handheld computer with different modules enabling case and asset management from the site.

Xactware Helps Its Customers Go Green.
OREM, Utah - Apr. 22, 2010 - Businesses buzz about "going green" these days. But at Xactware, helping businesses reduce paper consumption with its industry-leading software solutions has been the norm since the company's start in 1986.

Tasker Tucker - March 17, 1928 - April 26, 2010, by Phillip Rosebrook, JR.
The restoration industry just lost a great friend, resource, industry pioneer and great influence. If you live outside of Canada you may not know the name, Tasker Tucker. Task started in the restoration industry before the industry really even started, over 60 years ago. Like many other pioneers, Task worked for a construction company that was called to repair a fire damaged home. That is when Task realized that there was an opportunity in this business and they became one of the first companies in Toronto to specialize in disaster restoration.

Distribution

Terrace Software and Brovada Technologies Announce Integration Partnership.
May 1, 2010 (San Francisco, CA and Saint John, NB) -- Brovada Technologies (Brovada) and Terrace Software (Terrace) are pleased to announce a formalized partnership that will see the respective connectivity solution (NexCenter) and agency management system (ABS) integrated with one another.

Policy and Product Management

LOGiQ3 innovative training course hailed.
April 27 2010: The intensive underwriting training program covering all facets of risk selection offered by LOGiQ3 to the North American underwriting community has been sponsored for the first time by Munich Re, resulting in a unique offering from the leading Canadian reinsurer.

Novarica Research Documents Insurers' Experience with Core Systems Replacements and Finds Business Capabilities, Not Cost Reduction, Drive Projects,
May 5, 2010 (NEW YORK) - Novarica, a research and advisory services division of Novantas LLC focused on markets, operations, and technology for insurers, published new reports today that document the experience of US insurers that have undertaken core systems replacement projects over the past 10 years.

eBusiness and Technology

Leveraging Social Networks: An In-Depth View for Insurers: Report Published by Celent.
In a new report, Leveraging Social Networks, Celent reviews the current usage of social networks by insurers and looks at the broader social networking trends that will drive innovation in insurance in the future. Many insurers are already testing the waters in the world of social networks, and best practices are only beginning to emerge. Adoption is much higher for insurers in the United States when compared to the UK, where interaction is rare and adoption is just starting.

eMarketer - How Effective Are Corporate Social Media Policies?
MAY 3, 2010 - Many IT professionals are down on social media usage in the workplace, both because they believe it hinders productivity and might compromise security. As companies adopt usage policies, employees continue to check out Facebook and other potentially forbidden sites.

Consumer Information

Planning for Future Pandemics - Susan Novo, Cowan Insurance Group.
The H1N1 flu has been by far the biggest health story of the past few years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the H1N1 was the first pandemic in 41 years. Due to the importance of this issue, we published a special bulletin on H1N1 last fall that talked about the three stages of the pandemic; (1) pre-pandemic, (2) pandemic, and (3) post-pandemic - and the actions to be taken at each stage.

Be prepared. Be safe. 10 ways to protect your family from extreme weather disasters: Allstate.
TORONTO, May 3 2010 - In preparation for Emergency Preparedness Week (May 2-8, 2010) and to help Canadians prepare for extreme weather-related events, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada has released 10 ways you can protect your family before a severe weather-related emergency hits.

Insurance Bureau of Canada launches national program to assist Canadians when disaster strikes.
HALIFAX, May 3 2010 - Canadians who are suddenly forced to cope with extreme weather events such as windstorms, wildfire and torrential rains, as well as other disasters, will now have quick access to on-site insurance-related information, thanks to a new national program launched today by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) as part of Emergency Preparedness Week.

IBC urges BC residents to learn how to FireSmart their homes with educational video posted on YouTube.
VANCOUVER, May 6 2010 - After a mild winter and predictions for a dry summer, indications are that BC is facing an increased risk of wildfires this year, a situation that is all too familiar to many communities. Insurance Bureau of Canada takes this opportunity during Emergency Preparedness Week to encourage all British Columbians to take steps to prepare for emergencies.

Business of Insurance

The Co-operators Outlines Progress and Future Plans in 2009 Sustainability Report.
GUELPH, ON, May 5 2010 - The Co-operators today released its sixth annual sustainability report, which outlines the organization's sustainability strategy and its progress in 2009 in achieving economic, social and environmental objectives. Last year saw the organization's efforts expand beyond incorporating sustainability principles into its own operations, as it increasingly focussed on promoting sustainable behaviour throughout Canada.

"P&C Reinsurance to Fit the Times - A Question of Balance" by Mark E. White, OSFI.
The past two years have been a tumultuous time for financial services. It is fair to say, however, that the insurance industry - and particularly the Property and Casualty (P&C) sector - has to date faired better on a relative basis. Is that relative success due to business and regulators getting the balance right? Were we just lucky? Or have times already changed and we need to change with them?

Insurance in the Community

Aviva Community Fund asks Canadians a Million-Dollar Question.
TORONTO, May 5 2010 - Aviva Canada is proud to announce that the Aviva Community Fund competition will return in fall 2010, and this time there are a million reasons to get involved in positive community change. Building on the success of last year's campaign, Aviva Canada is doubling its 2009 pledge of $500,000 by offering $1 million to lead, empower and support community initiatives across the country. Whether it's a project that will help get at-risk youth off the street and back into schools or other ways to extend a helping hand to those in need, the Aviva Community Fund enables all Canadians to not only submit a cause but also become actively involved in making change happen.

Our People

Inaugural meeting of the CLU Institute's CE Accreditation Advisory Council held: Group critical to success of accreditation service.
Toronto - May 4, 2010 - The CLU Institute's CE Accreditation Independent Advisory Council met for the first time as a group late last week. This new group will provide oversight, guidance and input on strategic direction for The CLU Institute's CE Accreditation Service.

from Doug:

One of our sons has rejoined us in Toronto. After five years of university in Ottawa followed by a year there with friends, he has moved to a downtown Toronto apartment which he is sharing with two others. He is delighted to be back here. Hopefully we will now see him more frequently!


Subscribe here or view past issues.