Issue 2009-23 -- June 9, 2009

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.




Policy and Product Management

Insurance Systems Inc. (ISI) Expands Into U.S. With New Office.
TORONTO, June 4, 2009 -- Insurance Systems, Inc. (ISI), a recognized leading provider of web-based solutions for the property/casualty insurance industry, announced today the opening of their first U.S. office in Novi, Michigan.

Claims

CDRG Announces New Member - JD Restorations.
Having started in the restoration business back in 1974, JD Restorations witnessed the rapidly changing landscape of the industry over the years. Prior to starting his own restoration company John Dubeau had worked in the construction retail & supplier end of things with Beaver Lumber & Glidden Paints.

Guidewire Delivers End-to-End Claims Handling for Towergate.
LONDON, U.K., and SAN MATEO, California, USA, 01 June 2009 - Towergate Partnership (Towergate), Europe's largest independently-owned insurance entity and Guidewire Software®, a leading global provider of technology solutions to general insurers, today announced that Guidewire ClaimCenter now supports the end-to-end claims handling process for Towergate's Household claims.

RSA Mobile Claims Response Vehicle rolls into action at the Halifax Fire.
May 11, 2009 - As a significant brush fire ravaged the Halifax area and forcing thousands to flee, leading home, auto and business insurer RSA brought their office to the customers - literally.

Business of Insurance

Monitor your profile's perception and reality: Markel Safety & Training Services.
May 1, 2009 - It's easy to understand why fleets are so interested in their carrier profiles. This record of driver and equipment violations ultimately has an impact on everything from a company's insurance premiums to government fines. It can even determine whether an operating authority is retained or revoked.

Remarks by Superintendent Julie Dickson, OSFI, 2009 Property and Casualty Insurance Industry Forum.
Cambridge, Ontario Thursday, June 4, 2009 -- When speaking again to a group that I have addressed in the past, I like to review the messages that I delivered on that previous occasion. I do this to see if those messages are still appropriate, and if they are, reinforce them.

Policy recommendations for reform of the public health care system released by Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association.
OTTAWA, June 3 2009 - Today, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) released a policy statement setting out a number of recommendations for achieving a renewed and sustainable public health care system.

The Co-operators celebrates milestone in Quebec.
GATINEAU, QC, June 5 2009 - This month, The Co-operators is beginning a new chapter in its history as the first two Co-operators representatives in the province of Quebec will open their doors. One office will open for business in Aylmer on June 9, with the second opening in Gatineau one week later, on June 15.

Distribution

Advocis: Newfoundland and Labrador government compromises consumer protection under guise of more choice.
Toronto - June 1, 2009 - With the recent passage of Bill 11 in Newfoundland and Labrador allowing credit unions to retail insurance directly from their branches, consumers should be very careful about how much business they place with the credit unions warns Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada.

INSURICA Insurance Management Network Chooses ProspX to Support New Unified Market Positioning.
AUSTIN, Texas - June 2, 2009 - ProspX, Inc., the leader in on-demand sales collaboration and automation solutions for the commercial insurance industry, today announced that INSURICA Insurance Management Network, formerly North America Group, has selected the ProspX platform to further support the launch of its new branding and positioning campaign.

Consumer Information

BCAA Insurance helps homeowners fight fire with smart, simple advice.
BURNABY, BC, June 2 2009 - A warm, dry trend with no significant precipitation is setting off a number of fire danger ratings across the province. BCAA Insurance urges all homeowners to safeguard themselves against summer wildfires - especially those interfacing with forests.

Be Smart. Be Safe. Tour hits the road to help Albertans lead safer lives, protect property, prepare for emergencies: IBC.
EDMONTON, June 2 2009 - The sleek, shiny trailer has been packed full of interactive displays and exhibits, and four Alberta student ambassadors have just graduated from injury-prevention boot camp. That means Insurance Bureau of Canada's (IBC's) 2009 Be Smart. Be Safe. Tour is ready to hit the open road again this summer to show people how they can lead safer lives, protect their property and prepare for emergencies.

Graduated Driver's Licensing for new motorcycle drivers: SGI.
May 19, 2009 - The Government of Saskatchewan is furthering its commitment to motorcycle safety by introducing a Graduated Driver's Licensing (GDL) program for new motorcycle drivers. The program will come into effect in 2011.

Marketing and the Market Place

B2B Marketers Turn to Digital Tactics: eMarketer.
MAY 27, 2009 - According to a joint study by MarketingProfs and Forrester Research, most business-to-business (B2B) marketers are not folding in the face of the economic downturn. Two-thirds of marketers surveyed in 2008 said their budgets would either stay the same in the next year or increase.

Small Businesses Get Social: eMarketer.
JUNE 4, 2009 - It is not just big businesses that are communicating with customers using social media. According to a study by Sage Software and AMI-Partners, more than 260,000 small businesses in the US and Canada employ social networking tactics, too.

eBusiness and Technology

Take Control of Car Insurance Costs with Progressive.
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio - June 1, 2009 - Giving drivers more control over their car insurance costs has earned Progressive a spot on the 2009 CIO 100 sponsored by CIO magazine. Name Your Price® - Progressive's exclusive online tool that enables drivers to tell the company what they want to pay for car insurance - has been selected by CIO for recognition. Each year, CIO magazine honors 100 companies around the world that use technology to give them a competitive advantage and help them grow.

from Doug:

Later this week and through the weekend the national conference for the heritage group I belong to will run at Napanee and Adolphustown Ontario. It will be a special occasion; we are really looking forward to learning more and to the time with old freinds and acquaintances. One of our group will not be there this year; Okill Stuart from St Lambert was on Juno Beach on D-Day, and is now in France, where Friday last he was a recipient of the Légion d'honneur.


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