Issue 2005-18: May 3, 2005

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.




Product Announcements and News

Lombard to become Underwriter to the PetCare Pet Insurance Programs in Canada.
Oakville, ON. – April 25, 2005. Pethealth Inc. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, PetCare Insurance Brokers Ltd. has entered into an agreement with Lombard General Insurance Company of Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lombard Canada Ltd. and member of the Northbridge Financial Group of Companies, to underwrite 50% of the PetCare pet insurance programs in Canada.

Claims

Automated Benefits Corp. announces Symbility launch with Disaster Kleenup International
WATERLOO, ON, April 22, 2005 - Automated Benefits Corp. (TSX Venture: AUT) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Symbility Solutions Inc., has launched a software pilot program with Disaster Kleenup International (Canada) Ltd. ("DKC").

Automated Benefits Corp. enters into contract with J&D Benefits Inc.
TORONTO, April 25, 2005 - Automated Benefits Corp. (TSX Venture: AUT) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Automated Benefits Inc. ("Autoben") has entered into an arrangement with J&D Benefits Inc. of Markham, Ontario, whereby they intend to offer medical and dental administration and adjudication to their group insurance clients using the ABI software operated by Autoben as of May, 2005.

Progressive Research Finds Higher Horsepower Cars Involved In Fewer Accidents.
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — April 11, 2005 — Think faster cars are involved in more crashes? You're not alone. According to a recent phone survey of 1,000 people, one-third say that those who drive higher horsepower vehicles are involved in more frequent crashes.

Policy and Product Management

Sapiens INSIGHT™ For Reinsurance Launched In the U.S.
Research Triangle Park, NC – APRIL 19, 2005 - Sapiens International Corporation N.V., a leading global provider of insurance business solutions, announced today, at the 2005 Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) conference being held in Philadelphia, the U.S. release of Sapiens INSIGHT™ for Reinsurance, a new component of the Sapiens INSIGHT™ suite of insurance solutions.

Consumer Information

Insurance Policy Warranties: What Must You do to Keep Your Policy in Force? Insurers Financial Group.
It is disenchanting when you find out, contrary to your expectations, that a loss is not covered because of a policy exclusion. Policies contain many exclusions as a means of defining coverage intent. But what may be even more disturbing is having your coverage denied because of a breach of a policy warranty; one that was never explained to you.

Caution: Work Safe. For Life - WCB of Nova Scotia.
HALIFAX, April 22, 2005 - With a unique design reflective of its new safety focus, the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia's 2004 Annual Report, Caution: Work Safe. For Life, highlights how the WCB is encouraging Nova Scotians to create a workplace safety culture; providing benefits for injured workers with chronic pain; and continuing to focus on stakeholder consultation.

IIHS - New Crash Test Results: Volkswagen new Jetta aces Side Impact Test; also earns good rating in Frontal Test.
ARLINGTON, VA - The 2005 Volkswagen new Jetta earned good ratings in both frontal offset and side impact crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Plus the Jetta is the first vehicle to earn the top rating of good in every individual measurement category (injury measures, head protection, and structural design) of the Institute's side impact test.

Saskatchewan Government Insurance to increase injury income benefits.
SGI is increasing injury income benefits to its most seriously injured customers.

Marketing and the Market Place

Markel Insurance To Bring Fleet Leaders Together At Its National Conference.
TORONTO (April 25, 2005) - Markel Insurance Company of Canada will hold its national conference on May 31-June 1, 2005. The event is aimed at senior fleet management who are responsible for safety and maintenance, driver training, operations, and logistics.

Electronic commerce and technology - Statscan.
Online sales by Canadian companies and government departments grew substantially for the fifth consecutive year in 2004, but e-commerce still accounted for less than 1% of total operating revenues for private businesses

Web-Savvy Denmark - Comparison of Web-readiness by Country: eMarketer.
For the past six years, the Economist Intelligence Unit has rated countries around the world for Web-readiness, and this year Denmark once again retained the number one position among 65 nations. Overall, the Sixth Annual E-Readiness Rankings Report, sponsored by IBM's Institute for Business Value, was upbeat, stating: "For perhaps the first time since the technology bubble burst, the global economy is beginning to feel comfortable in a digital skin."

Home Renovations In The Blueprints For Two-Thirds Of Canadian Homeowners: Ipsos-Reid for Bank of Nova Scotia.
April 25, 2005 Toronto, ON – According to a recent study conducted by Ipsos-Reid on behalf of the Bank of Nova Scotia, two-thirds (65%) of Canadian homeowners are likely to renovate their homes in the next 12 months. Half (47%) of Canadians with intentions to renovate expect to spend $5000 or less, with cash being the preferred method of financing (59%).

Business of Insurance

Manulife Investments launches Simplicity(TM), an Asset Allocation Wrap Program.
WATERLOO, ON, April 28, 2005 - Manulife Investments is launching Simplicity, a sophisticated asset allocation wrap program available in either a mutual fund or segregated fund option. "Simplicity combines the three most critical and broadly accepted aspects of wealth management," said Roy Firth, Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial.

High Approval Ratings for Federal Financial Regulator: OSFI Industry Consultation Findings Released.
OTTAWA April 12, 2005 The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) has released the results of a recent consultation process conducted with the financial institutions it regulates.

From Canadian Insurance ENEWS: London Market Isues Blueprint for Contract Certainty
In response to what the FSA described as a "deal now, detail later" culture, Nick Prettejohn, chair of the Market Reform Group said: "Contract certainty is crucial if the London market is to remain competitive... A market solution is infinitely preferable to one imposed by a regulator."

Education and Training

From Canadian Insurance ENEWS: ILS Learning Offers First Video-Streamed Licensing Program in Canada
ILS Learning Corporation today announced the launch of Canada's first video-streamed Level 1 Licensing Program. Company president, Steve Hawrishok, explains: "For years, brokers have been asking me for a video version of the Level 1 Licensing Course. We went one step further and video-streamed it and posted it to our elearning website. Now it is available to anyone who has access to an internet connection.

Reference and Statistics

USA Commercial Property/Casualty Premium Rates Continue To Soften In First Quarter 2005: CIAB.
April 20, 2005 - WASHINGTON - Commercial property/casualty premiums continued to soften during the first quarter of 2005, with the average rates for all sizes of accounts reaching their lowest levels since the commercial insurance market peaked in the fourth quarter of 2001.

eBusiness and Technology

InSystems Named Leading Software Provider in Celent 2005 Insurance Software Deal Trends Reports.
Markham, Ontario, April 26, 2005 - InSystems, the specialists in complex document and compliance automation for insurance and financial services organizations has been named as a leading provider in Celent Communications, LLC's "Insurance Software Deal Trends 2003-2004" reports.

from Doug:

After a drive to Ottawa and back on Saturday, made longer by rain most of the way, I am quite ready for fewer April showers and more May flowers. Time to retrieve the lawn mower from storage too.

The Spring flowers, with a Spring morning's sunshine, provide most pleasant moments. Enjoy! ......and while you are enjoying, do spend a minute thinking about Mother and that important day coming up on Sunday.


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