Issue 2010-46 -- November 16, 2010

This newsletter is for members of the Canadian Insurance Industry and those who serve it. The newsletter is published weekly, and notes information about the use of the Internet and related technologies in the industry, insurance products and the marketplace. Some is international, where we feel it is relevant to Canada.




Distribution

Policy Works Inc. and SGI CANADA Launch Straight-Through Integration for Processing Commercial Lines Data Electronically.
November 1, 2010 - Policy Works Inc. and SGI CANADA are pleased to announce the launch of the first-ever straight-through processing of commercial lines data between a desktop applicati" and an insurer?s underwriting system. With the release of Policy Works v2010.1, brokers are able to send submissions to, and receive quotations from, SGI CANADA's underwriting system directly without ever having to leave their Policy Works desktop application.

SCM Risk Management Services Launches iClarify in BC.
Vancouver, BC - November 8, 2010 - SCM Risk Management Services (RMS), in partnership with the Insurance Brokers Association of BC (IBABC), is pleased to announce the official pilot launch of iClarify services in British Columbia. More than 50 brokerages across the province have been selected to take part in this testing phase, which is expected to continue throughout the remainder of 2010, with a province-wide release targeted for the first quarter of 2011.

Kanetix.ca comparison service now available for Alberta Motor Association auto insurance quotes.
TORONTO, Nov. 9 2010 - Auto insurance quotes from AMA Insurance are now available online to Alberta drivers through the Kanetix.ca auto insurance quote comparison service. Kanetix has been helping drivers in Alberta shop for auto insurance since 2000. With the addition of AMA Insurance, Alberta shoppers who visit Kanetix.ca will have even more options when comparing auto insurance quotes.

eBusiness and Technology

IBM outlined a vision for next evolution of the Internet.
MARKHAM, ON & CASCON, November 3, 2010 - An IBM-led team (NYSE:IBM) of researchers has mapped out the next evolution of the Internet, and it is a smarter, more intuitive version of itself - one you can assign tasks to make your life easier, such as ordering taxis, managing social engagements or even paying bills.

Gartner Says Social-Networking Services to Replace E-Mail as the Primary Vehicle for Interpersonal Communications for 20 Percent of Business Users by 2014.
Cannes, France, November 11, 2010 - Greater availability of social-networking-services, coupled with changing demographics and work styles, will lead 20 percent of employees to use social networks as their business communications? hub by 2014, according to Gartner, Inc. Analysts said that this is one of a wide range of capabilities that have emerged in communications, social Web and mobile, enabling richer interactions among people and expanding collaboration to a broader level.

Novarica Case Study Profiles Great American Insurance Co. Core Systems Transformation Project.
November 3 (NEW YORK) - Novarica, a research and advisory firm focused on operations and technology strategy for insurers and financial institutions, today published the first in a new series of case studies drawn from the experiences of the more than 225 CIO members of its Insurance Technology Research Council, examining a multi-year core systems transformation project at Great American Insurance Company.

Our People

InsuranceWorks.ca brings back their most popular job posting special....The 2 For 1 Job Posting for only $310!
Due to an overwhelming level of interest in this special, InsuranceWorks.ca is offering a FREE job posting with the purchase of a Single Job Posting until November 30th 2010. Although InsuranceWorks.ca already has one of the lowest per posting rates of any Canadian jobsite, this special brings that already low rate down to only $155.00 per posting.

Managing Relationships and Customer Service

Celent Report: Insurance Customer Service Trends in North America.
Chicago, IL, USA - October 26, 2010 - Improving customer service is a logical response to the current challenges. It is a battleground for some companies as part of their chosen competitive strategy. For all others, it is table stakes. A new report, Insurance Customer Service Trends in North America, examines the processes and technology in use in North American insurance companies.

Business of Insurance

OSFI: Challenges in the Life Insurance Industry, by Julie Dickson.
Cambridge, Ontario, November 8, 2010 -- Remarks by Superintendent Julie Dickson, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (OSFI) to the 2010 Life Insurance Invitational Forum This conference is being held at an opportune time given the challenges facing life insurers globally.

Claims

Marshall & Swift Repair Cost Estimating Program Is Winning Major Customers.
Los Angeles, CA - October 18, 2010 - Marshall & Swift ("M&S") has signed contracts with a top 5 U.S. bank and two of the largest property preservation valuation and repair companies to use M&S's on-line Repair Cost Estimating Program ("RCX").

Marshall & Swift/Boeckh (MSB) Announces Agreement To Be Purchased.
MILWAUKEE, WI - November 5, 2010 - Marshall & Swift/Boeckh (MSB) today announced that MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) has signed definitive agreements to sell MSB to TPG Capital (TPG) - a well known global investment firm with $47 billion in assets under management and with strong experience supporting companies in the insurance and financial services marketspace.

Marketing and the Market Place

eMarketer: Online Branded Communities Grow Up.
NOVEMBER 10, 2010 - According to the second annual "State of Online Branded Communities" study by full-service social engagement firm ComBlu, which examined practices in the online communities of major brands, marketers have adopted a wide variety of best practices and begun to integrate their online community efforts across a variety of social media.

Consumer Information

SGI Canada: Burning wood safely.
November 2010 - With fall in full force and cooler temperatures just around the corner, many homeowners may be thinking of lighting their fireplace or woodstove for warmth and a cozy atmosphere. But before you light that first match, there are steps to take to ensure your family and home are safe from the risk of a fire.

Sun Life Financial: Coffee culture inspires My Retirement Café site.
TORONTO, Nov. 9 2010 - Preparing for retirement doesn't have to be stressful. What you need is a relaxing environment, an informative resource, and access to a financial advisor. Sun Life Financial brings this all together for Canadians with the launch of My Retirement Café, an interactive retirement education website for consumers, offering a stress-free, no-obligation environment where you can access resources and tools to help you work towards your retirement plans.

Zurich's Spill Reporting Online System available in Canada as icy weather begins to create hazardous road conditions.
Toronto, ON, October 28, 2010 - As colder weather arrives and roads begin to get icy, Zurich's customers can now access Zurich's Spill Reporting Online System, an online service that will assist companies with the cleanup of spills if any of their company vehicles is involved in an accident that requires emergency environmental spill clean-up.

Insurance in the Community

Insurance Bureau of Canada and Ontario Safety League launch 2010 Operation Red Nose campaign in Ontario.
TORONTO, Nov. 3 2010 - Provincial host, Ontario Safety League, and provincial sponsor, Insurance Bureau of Canada, launched the 2010 Operation Red Nose campaign - the sixth in a row that the two organizations have partnered on - in Ontario today. The 2010 campaign will once again offer safe rides home to party goers in 12 communities in the province from November 25 to December 31.

from Doug:

Last week two steps backwards, and none ahead. Mom did a topsy and broke her hip, the one on the opposite leg from her compression fracture in her knee. Ambulance ride to the hospital, and it would be the one in the opposite direction from where Dad is living in the Senior's Residence. It is tough on them both; Mom can't understand why she is where she is and what she can and cannot do, and Dad trying to deal with all of this extra stress while not running himself into the ground. Thank goodness for those who are supporting him, and for the wonderful nursing staff at the hospital – I don't know how they do it.
In spite of all that, we had a week of gorgeous fall weather.


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