Issue 2005-50: December 13, 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.




Claims

Union Canadienne Implements SMART from CGI.
November 25, 2005, Quebec City -- Union Canadienne, a prominent Quebec based Insurer and member of the Co-operators Group, and CGI, the leading Canadian IT solutions company are pleased to announce the launch of SMART Insurance Technology into their Claims operation.

Medisys and Sun Life Financial announce strategic alliance.
Montreal, December 7, 2005 - Sun Life Financial's Canadian Group Benefits division and Medisys Health Group Inc. (Medisys) announced today that they have entered into a new strategic alliance. Together, the two companies will offer a distinct, integrated solution to Sun Life Financial's Group Benefits customers who need attendance support for their salary continuance sick-leave plans. With this alliance, Medisys becomes Sun Life Financial Canada's preferred provider for these services.

eBusiness and Technology

"Great deeds are usually wrought at Great Risks" Peter Symons, OARBIC, Part 2 of 2.
Conceptually, managing Operational Risk is a relatively straight forward process. It's a circular process that recognizes the possibility and probability of risk, the actions to be taken if the risk occurs, or to prevent the risk from happening, and the continued monitoring to see if the risk has either materialized or changed.

New Guidebook From PricewaterhouseCoopers Helps Companies Align Security with Strategic Business Objectives.
NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2005-- Constant changes in the business, security and regulatory environments hasten the need for security to be managed with greater discipline. "How to Align Security with Your Strategic Business Objectives," a new guidebook released today by PricewaterhouseCoopers, explains how companies can link security with their business vision in order to embrace change and position themselves for success.

Policy and Product Management

Pethealth expands its underwriting relationship with Lombard Canada
OAKVILLE, ON, December 7, 2005 - Pethealth Inc. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, PetCare Insurance Brokers Ltd. has expanded its underwriting relationship with Lombard General Insurance Company of Canada ("Lombard"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lombard Canada Ltd. Effective March 1, 2006, Lombard will increase its participation in the underwriting of the PetCare pet insurance programs in Canada from 50% to 100%.


Distribution

Life Insurance Distribution - CLIEDIS CITS Project Update Dec. 6, 2005
CITS Training sessions were held over two days in November. The sessions were split between carriers and distributors and tailored specifically for each audience. The courses were hosted by CLIEDIS and presented by Tana Sabatino from Vallue Consulting. Each course participant received a printed copy of the latest version of the CITS implementation guide. The courses were very well received by attendees and a clear sign of the interest and momentum that the CITS Pending New Business Transaction initiative continues to gain within the Life Insurance industry.

Manulife launches tool to help Canadian advisors pick universal life investment accounts.
WATERLOO, ON, Dec. 5, 2005 - Manulife Financial has launched an asset allocation tool to help advisors across Canada choose universal life Simplicity Portfolio accounts that correspond to their client's personal risk profile. This new tool will help advisors choose universal life investment accounts based on their client's risk tolerance.

Progressive Direct: Shopping For Car Insurance Just Got Easier � Talking To Someone "Live" Only A Mouse Click Away.
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio � (November 15, 2005) � The Progressive Direct Group of Insurance Companies is making it easier than ever to buy car insurance online - including cutting down the time it takes to get a quote to just over eight minutes - but still, many of the company's online shoppers call 1-800-PROGRESSIVE to ask questions or buy the policy.

Insurance in the Community

Standard Life raises $306,000 for sick kids.
MONTREAL, Dec. 5, 2005 - The Standard Life Marathon's 23rd edition closed on a high note as Mr. Joseph Iannicelli, President and CEO of The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada, presented a cheque for $306,000 live on CFCF and TQS during the Foundation for research into children's diseases annual Telethon.

Product Announcements

Manulife Investments launches new Simplicity(TM) Income Portfolio.
TORONTO, Dec. 5, 2005 - Manulife Mutual Funds, a division of Elliott & Page Limited, has launched a new Simplicity(TM) Income Portfolio. Simplicity is a strategic asset allocation program offered both in mutual funds and segregated funds designed to help individuals achieve their financial goals while remaining aligned with their tolerance for risk.

Consumer Information

SGI recognizes its "Platinum" customers.
Nov. 28, 2005 - SGI is enhancing its Safe Driver Recognition (SDR) program to provide an additional benefit to the province's safest drivers by increasing the number of safety points a driver can earn.

Honda Civic dominates list of Canada's top 10 stolen vehicles: Insurance Bureau of Canada.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada announced today that the 1999 and 2000 Honda Civics SiR two-door models topped this year's most stolen vehicles list. The two models also had the highest theft claims cost per vehicle.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR): Finding New and Better Ways to Fight Cancer.
TORONTO, December 2, 2005 -- Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty today celebrated the official launch of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), the first collaborative research institute in Canada to focus efforts on the entire spectrum of cancer issues -- from prevention right through to treatments.

CompCorp changes its name to Assuris.
CompCorp, the organization that protects Canadian policyholders in the event their life insurance company should fail, has changed its name to Assuris.

First Selection of Top Safety Picks: Insurance Institute for Highway Safeth (IIHS) Announces 10 Car Designs That Win.
December 4, 2005 - ARLINGTON, VA - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety today announces 10 cars (2006 models) that win its first ever Top Safety Pick award. The awards recognize car designs that afford the best protection for people in front, side, and rear crashes, based on performance in Institute tests. The winning vehicles were chosen from among current models of small, midsize, and large cars plus minivans. There's a winner in three of these four groups. The winners include 2 large car designs, 7 midsize cars, and 1 small car. No minivans meet the Institute's criteria to earn a Top Safety Pick. Pickups and SUVs weren't included in this round of awards because side impact tests of most of these vehicles haven't been conducted yet.

Business of Insurance

The Co-operators Expands Membership to Include FCNQ.
GUELPH, ON, Dec. 8, 2005 - The Co-operators Group Ltd. has expanded its membership, welcoming La Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec (FCNQ). On November 24, The Co-operators board of directors approved FCNQ's application, expanding to 32 the number of Canadian organizations that are member-owners of the group of companies.

RIMS Launches 'Center of Excellence' For Enterprise Risk Management.
NEW YORK - November 14, 2005 - The Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS) announces its plans to become the premiere resource and support organization for Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). RIMS Board of Directors recently met to finalize the Society's ERM business plan, tasking each Board member with a role in upholding this commitment.

Marketing and the Market Place

Manulife Investments receives marketing honour at 2005 Canadian Investment Awards.
WATERLOO, ON, Dec. 1, 2005 - Manulife Investments was named winner of a 2005 Canadian Investment Marketing Award for its program to support its Simplicity(TM) product, at the 11th Annual Canadian Investment Awards announced in Toronto.

from Doug:

Winter has finally arrived, at least in Toronto. Snow on the ground seems to have enticed Christmas lights from basement boxes and colder weather has brought warmer coats, hats, scarves and gloves from summer storage. The excitement of Christmas is slowly building - one day soon I must start writing cards. Our first Christmas dinner of the season is scheduled for Wednesday. Hope you too are in the midst of the fun and festivities.


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