Issue 2006-08: February 21, 2006

Policy and Product Management

SunGard Announces iWORKS NAVIGATOR: Insurance Sales and Administration Solution
MIAMI, FL. February 13, 2006 - SunGard announced today the launch of SunGard iWORKS NAVIGATOR, a comprehensive suite of solutions for life insurance and annuity sales and support. SunGard is a leading global provider of financial and insurance software solutions for both the individual and employee benefits industries.

Pethealth Inc. Announces U.S. Insurance Underwriting Agreement.
OAKVILLE, ON, February 9, 2006 - Pethealth Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Insurance Corporation of Hannover. Subject to regulatory approval, ICH will underwrite the Company's pet insurance programs in 24 U.S. states.


Distribution

CoVirt ends record year: 7 additional brokerage firms switch to VirtGate.
TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2006 - CoVirt Inc. (Canada), a Canadian leader in insurance client management solutions, announced today that in 2005 it completed agreements with seven more brokerage firms to install VirtGate.

Managing Conflicts of Interest: A Consultation Paper on Enhancing and Harmonizing Best Practices: CCIR/CISRO.
On February 13, 2006, the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR) and the Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory Organizations (CISRO) released Managing Conflicts of Interest: A consultation Paper on Enhancing and Harmonizing Best Practices. The consultation paper seeks comments on recommendations designed to promote consumer confidence in the insurance industry.

Drive® Insurance From Progressive Unveils Redesigned Web Site For Independent Agents And Brokers.
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio - January 19, 2006 - ForAgentsOnly.com (FAO) - the password-protected Web site that Drive agents and brokers use to quote and service their customers - has unveiled a new home page design and site navigation that makes it even easier for them to take care of business. Drive® Insurance from Progressive is the number one auto insurance brand sold through independent agents and brokers in the country, as based on premiums written.

Business of Insurance

Study reveals majority of companies deploy activity-based management systems: SAS.
CARY, N.C. (Jan. 30, 2006) - Results of a recently published study demonstrate that activity-based management is flourishing as a methodology for improving performance management results. The study, "Activity-Based Costing: How Activity-Based Management is Used in the Organization," was published at BetterManagement.com. It shows that companies have widely adopted activity-based management because it provides a more complete picture than traditional cost accounting of the profits and costs of doing business.

100% Standard Life launches new Target Year Funds.
MONTREAL, Feb. 15, 2006 - Standard Life Canada announced today the launch of a new series of Target Year Funds designed specifically for Capital Accumulation Plan (CAP) members. McLean Budden Limited will manage the underlying assets of the funds, which will be offered exclusively to clients of Standard Life and McLean Budden.

eBusiness and Technology

AAA Life Licenses PilotFish Technology's XCS eiPlatform for ACORD-compliant SOAP Web Service Interface.
PilotFish Technology is pleased to announce that AAA Life Insurance has licensed the XCS eiPlatform to support ACORD-compliant, SOAP web service interfaces. The collaboration of four companies, AAA Life, Renkim Corporation, MIB Group, Inc., and PilotFish Technology, has resulted in the successful implementation and live production operation of the first interface.

Consumer Information

SGI provides rebate to customers.
The fact that there were fewer collisions in 2005 has helped SGI to provide a one-time 8% rebate to Saskatchewan vehicle owners.

Manitoba Public Insurance anti-theft program attracts thousands - but not those most at risk.
February 9 , 2006 - While Manitoba Public Insurance has convinced more than 9,300 Manitobans to purchase after-market immobilizers in just six months, the public insurer remains concerned about the number of high-risk vehicles that are still unprotected.

Insurance in the Community

KRG Children's Charitable Foundation Donates $500,000 to The Hospital for Sick Children.
TORONTO, ON (February 10, 2006) - At the 17th Annual KRG Children's Charitable Foundation Gala held last night at the historic Carlu in downtown Toronto, guests were informed that a new initiative at SickKids will launch immediately. Steve Wise, CEO of the KRG Insurance Group presented a cheque in the amount of $500,000.

Marketing and the Market Place

Re-Evaluate Retirement Income Needs: Ipsos (for Bank of Montreal).
February 2, 2006 Toronto, ON - On behalf of Bank of Montreal, Ipsos Reid recently surveyed financial decision-makers age 45 or over with at least $25,000 in financial assets. The survey canvases opinions from an already well-established set of Canadians, whether they are retired or anticipating retirement and illustrates a populace that is comfortably positioned for retirement and confident in their expectations.

Our People

LOMA Level One Courses Now Available Online.
ATLANTA - February 6, 2006 - With the recent release of a university-level online course in the Principles of Insurance, LOMA, the leading association for insurance and financial services now offers online versions of both courses required for its Level One certificate in the fundamentals of insurance. LOMA 280 - Principles of Insurance: Life, Health, and Annuities joins LOMA 290 - Insurance Company Operations on the LOMALearn e-learning platform.

RIMS: New OnLine Course Focuses on Environmental Risk Management Strategy.
February 01, 2006 - "Developing an Environmental Risk Management Strategy" is a new online course that trains risk managers on how to develop and execute a proactive environmental strategy. The course is offered through a partnership of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS) and Environmental Strategist, Inc.

from Doug:

Yesterday was Canada's Heritage Day and this whole week is Ontario's Heritage Week. In my other (tricorn) hat, the group I belong to has been actively participating with a display in the rotunda at Toronto's City Hall. Yesterday Deputy Mayor Bussin and Mayor Miller were among the many visitors to our display. It is great to see the general interest in the community.


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