New MGA Ascent Underwriting offers emerging cyber risk coverage

By: Anna Gaynor

Published February 11, 2013 - 1:25pm CST

Newly formed specialist managing general agent Ascent Underwriting has begun offering coverages for emerging cyber risks aimed at the U.S., U.K., Canadian and European markets.

Institute of Risk Management creates education advisory board

By: Sarah Veysey

Published January 28, 2013 - 10:20am CST

The Institute of Risk Management has announced the composition of its new education advisory board.

NHL players score new pension plan

By: Rick Baert

Published January 22, 2013 - 8:59am CST

Players taking to the ice in a shortened National Hockey League season will have their own defined benefit plan.

Missing data on half million Canadian student loans to draw suit

Published January 17, 2013 - 11:17am CST

(Reuters) — A Newfoundland lawyer said he will launch a class action lawsuit on Thursday against the Canadian government, which lost a portable external hard drive containing the personal information of 583,000 Canada Student Loan borrowers.

Risk managers expect insurance rate increases of 3% in 2013: Survey

By: Rodd Zolkos

Published January 04, 2013 - 1:02pm CST

Commercial property/casualty insurance prices are expected to increase 3% in early 2013 from the same period a year ago, according to a new survey of risk managers, though a growing number of those buyers are characterizing the property/casualty market as stable.

Hub increases Canadian footprint

Published November 05, 2012 - 12:40pm CST

Chicago-based Hub International Ltd. has created a new Hub Atlantic operation with the acquisition of the shares of Huestis Commercial Insurance Ltd., a Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada-based insurance brokerage firm.

Canada slow to respond to cyber threats: Auditor

Published October 23, 2012 - 2:23pm CST

(Reuters) — Canada's response to cyber threats has been slow and incomplete, the federal Auditor General said in a report on Tuesday that cited bad communication and part-time monitoring as weaknesses in the nation's computer and infrastructure security system.

Extreme weather events hitting North America the hardest: Study

By: Rodd Zolkos and Gavin Souter

Published October 18, 2012 - 10:10am CST

North America has been most affected by extreme weather events in recent decades, according to a new study from Munich Reinsurance Co.

Communication, documentation help risk managers prove their value

By: Joanne Wojcik

Published September 16, 2012 - 6:00am CST

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — More than a decade ago, when Bell Canada was in the midst of a hostile takeover bid of another company, the company's risk manager asked about the risks that Bell Canada would acquire as a result of the transaction.

RIMS Horizons 2012 Canada Conference draws 400 to Saskatoon

By: Joanne Wojcik

Published September 16, 2012 - 6:00am CST

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — More than 400 delegates attended the 38th annual RIMS Canada Conference: Horizons 2012: Where Today's Risks Meet Tomorrow's Solutions.

Michel Turcotte receives Donald M. Stuart Award at RIMS Canada

By: Joanne Wojcik

Published September 12, 2012 - 2:13pm CST

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — Michel Turcotte, senior director of risk management and insurance at Montreal-based Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc., has received the Donald M. Stuart Award for his pioneering work in risk management in French-speaking Quebec, including translating risk management education materials into his native language.

Reputation damage becoming greater risk management concern

By: Joanne Wojcik

Published September 12, 2012 - 2:08pm CST

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — Recognizing that consumer backlash in the wake of a poorly handled crisis can be financially devastating to a business, reputation risk is quickly becoming one of the greatest concerns to organizations throughout North America, risk management experts say.

'War games' can help identify, address emerging risks: RIMS Canada

By: Joanne Wojcik

Published September 11, 2012 - 11:01am CST

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — Risk managers should use “war games” to identify and address emerging risks that could potentially threaten the viability of their organizations, according to Susan Meltzer, vice president of enterprise risk management at Aviva Canada Inc. in Toronto.

Marsh combines U.S., Canadian energy practices

By: Anna Gaynor

Published July 11, 2012 - 12:37pm CST

HOUSTON—Marsh Inc. is uniting its U.S. and Canadian energy practices under the leadership of one individual, the company announced Wednesday.

Catlin premiums rise 12% in first quarter of 2012

By: Bill Kenealy

Published May 11, 2012 - 12:48pm CST

HAMILTON, Bermuda—Catlin Group Ltd. on Friday reported a 12% rise in gross premiums written for the first quarter of 2012.

Best upgrades credit rating for nonlife North American SCOR units

By: Bill Kenealy

Published May 02, 2012 - 11:37am CST

OLDWICK, N.J.—A.M. Best Co. upgraded the issuer credit rating for the nonlife North American units of Paris-based reinsurer SCOR S.E on Wednesday.

Ontario pension plan funded ratio hits 102.7%

By: Jerry Geisel

Published April 19, 2012 - 1:11pm CST

TORONTO—Aided by hefty investment results, a big Ontario pension plan providing coverage to health care workers, reported that its funded ratio hit nearly 103% in 2011.

Energy underwriters getting tougher on riskiest account: Willis

By: Bill Kenealy

Published April 17, 2012 - 2:26pm CST

Underwriters will exercise greater discretion this year because the energy market recorded $9 billion in insured and uninsured losses in 2011, according to a report by Willis Energy, a unit of London-based Willis Group Holdings P.L.C.

Gallagher makes first Canadian benefits acquisition

Published March 15, 2012 - 2:30pm CST

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired Calgary, Canada-based BenefitLink Resource Group, Inc., Itasca, Ill..-based Gallagher announced Thursday.

International Underwriting Assn. sets up lobbying group for the Americas

By: Sarah Veysey

Published December 13, 2011 - 10:17am CST

LONDON—The International Underwriting Assn. has set up a lobbying group for companies writing business in the Americas.

Jim Bradshaw named chairman of Willis Re Canada

By: Sonja Ryst

Published November 22, 2011 - 1:14pm CST

TORONTO—Jim Bradshaw has been named chairman of Willis Re's Canadian board of directors, the reinsurance arm of London-based brokerage Willis Group Holdings P.L.C. announced Tuesday.

RIMS Canada panel covers common enterprise risk management errors

By: Rodd Zolkos

Published September 25, 2011 - 6:00am CST

OTTAWA, Ontario—There are various approaches to enterprise risk management, but speakers at the annual RIMS Canada Conference outlined common elements of successful programs and pitfalls to avoid.