The Chronicle: Issue 2013-30, July 30, 2013


What's Going Through The Intersection of Insurance and Technology?

Summertime, and the Living is ... Frenzied?
With 2013 more than half over, some days it feels as though we've done a whole year's worth of work already and there's still a year of work more before the calendar year ends. Is this an exceptional period, or another “new normal”? And is there anything that can help? We've got some thoughts and would like to hear yours.

Social Media Policy and the Insurer: Aligned or Self-destructive?
A colleague of ours at a mid-sized Canadian insurer was in a meeting to discuss a new social media initiative to increase engagement with brokers and customers. A number of strategies were in play, including use of Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. After a time, one of the participants interrupted the discussion and to remind the meeting attendees that according to policy of the company, the majority of non-managerial personnel were restricted from accessing social media over the corporate network. Awkward. We're wondering how prevalent this situation is and what you think can or should be done.

The Intersection: Insurance-Canada.ca Blog
The Intersection

an Insurance-Canada.ca Blog


Events and Announcements

Insurance and Technology Topics: what would you like to discuss?
New Insurance-Canada.ca survey (runs until August 14)


Marketing

Towers Watson: Majority of employers use social media tools for internal communication, survey shows
Despite the explosion of social media in the personal lives of many people, a new survey by global professional services company Towers Watson shows that just over half of employers are using social media tools to communicate and build community with employees. Further, among those employers that have embraced social media technology, there is little consensus as to which ones are most effective.

Consumer Information

Square One urges Canadians to confirm coverage before sharing their homes
More and more Canadians are sharing their homes with others via a new crop of websites. Square One advises you to speak with your insurance provider and confirm your coverage before sharing your home.

J.D. Power: Claims handling key to customer relationships
How well auto insurance providers handle claims may make or break the relationship with their customers, according to the newly released inaugural J.D. Power Canadian Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, which measures customer satisfaction with the claims experience for auto physical damage loss.

LAWPRO partners with Hub International to offer coverage in Quebec
Assurance LAWPRO has partnered with Hub International Qu�bec Limit�e, a leading insurance broker, who will work with notaries to provide TitlePLUS insurance policies to consumers across Qu�bec.

Claims

Crawford CAT connection technology enables rapid claims adjuster staffing to assist with Canadian flooding
Crawford & Company, the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions, along with its Canadian operation, has aggressively responded to the record rainfall and flooding in Canada, handling thousands of claims for dozens of clients over a period of only a few weeks. The rapid deployment of hundreds of highly experienced Canadian and U.S. claims adjusters was due in part to their heavy use of the company's proprietary event resource management system, CAT Connection.

Business of Insurance

Swiss Re: Renewable energy sector could triple annual insurance spending by 2020 to attract new investors
The renewable energy industry could be spending three times as much on insurance every year by 2020 to mitigate risks to projects, says a new report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance sponsored by Swiss Re. The report looked at six of the world's leading markets for solar and wind, including Australia, China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Policy Management

ICW Group selects RC Inspection from Risk Control Technologies
Risk Control Technologies Inc., the industry-leading provider of loss control and risk management software solutions for insurers, has announced that ICW Group Insurance Companies has selected the RC Inspection software solution to help streamline its risk management operations. Headquartered in San Diego, California, ICW Group is a multi-line property and casualty insurance company which provides Workers� Compensation, Earthquake, and Personal Auto insurance.

In The Community

Cowan Insurance Group supports iSisters Technology Mentoring and House of Friendship with 12th Annual Cowan Charity Classic
The 12th annual Cowan Charity Classic featured two tournaments, one in Waterloo Region on June 17th 2013 and a second tournament in Ottawa on June 25th 2013. The amount raised in the tournaments was matched by The Cowan Foundation; these funds will be directed towards iSisters Technology Mentoring Career Connections Program in Ottawa and House of Friendship's Under One Roof campaign in Waterloo Region.


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