Featured Articles Blog

0

Mississippi River Dries Up Again at Worst Time for US Farmers

Article 0 Comments The Mississippi River is suffering from low waters for the third straight autumn, a crucial time of year when American farmers rely on the route to deliver their crops to the world. Months of limited rainfall — with few chances for more during the rest of the season — have left the vital waterway so shallow that barges are starting to run aground, even after shippers started running lighter loads to prevent boats from hitting the river bottom. While the situation isn’t as chaotic as in years past, the lack of water is again creating headaches for shippers and farmers. The drying of the Mississippi over the past three years is raising shipping costs and hindering farmers’ ability to compete for markets overseas. During the best of times, nearly two-thirds of US crop exports are shipped on the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. “Longer periods of low water, and increased transportation costs to get bushels to port in the US, ultimately starve off business,” said No Bull Inc. grain analyst Susan Stroud. Shipping costs are currently about 55% above the average for the past five years. While demand for American soy and corn is strong, those...

Auto thieves target Atlantic Canada as claims soar across region 0

Auto thieves target Atlantic Canada as claims soar across region

Auto theft claims in Atlantic Canada are up nearly 13% – the largest increase in the country Halifax, NS (Oct. 15, 2024) – According to newly released data from Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), Atlantic Canada is becoming a hot spot for auto theft. In the first half of 2024, the region experienced a 13% spike in auto theft claims, the largest increase in the country. Over the last decade, auto theft claims have increased by 116% in the region. In addition to the surge in auto theft claims, the costs related to these claims are increasing. In the first half of 2024, claims costs increased 11.8% since the previous year. Alarmingly, auto theft claims costs have soared by 265% over the past decade in Atlantic Canada. “Opportunistic car thieves are increasingly shifting their focus to Atlantic Canada and away from provinces such as Ontario and Quebec, which have invested significantly in combating auto theft,” said Amanda Dean, Vice-President, Ontario and Atlantic, IBC. “The growth in auto theft in Atlantic Canada is putting pressure on auto premiums and compromising the safety and security of residents.” Looking at the provincial data in Atlantic Canada Nova Scotia saw the highest increase in...

Alberta leads Canada in auto insurance lawsuit costs 0

Alberta leads Canada in auto insurance lawsuit costs

Litigation trends for auto collisions straining affordability of insurance, with the provincial rate cap worsening the situation for Alberta’s drivers Edmonton, AB (Oct. 15, 2024) – New data shows that the lawsuits and legal fees associated with insurance claims for auto collisions continue to soar in Alberta and are a key reason for the high cost of premiums. According to the latest information from the General Insurance Statistical Agency (GISA) – a statistical agency overseen by provincial insurance regulators – the cost of the average legal settlement related to auto insurance in Alberta exceeded $100,000 in 2023. This is a new record in Canada. The size of auto insurance settlements in Alberta have surged 116% over the past 10 years, according to GISA data. As a result, Alberta drivers now pay over three times more in their insurance premiums for costs associated with legal fees and litigation following collisions than drivers in other Canadian provinces. “We need to have an honest conversation about why premiums are increasing and what can be done about it,” said Aaron Sutherland, Vice-President, Pacific and Western, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). “It’s critical that those injured in a collision receive the benefits they need to recover....

Datos Insights Releases Guide to 300 Insurtech Startups 0

Datos Insights Releases Guide to 300 Insurtech Startups

Insuretechs are embedding advanced analytics and GenAI in their solutions: Insuretech for Insurers 2024 Boston, MA (Oct. 16, 2024) – For insurers, understanding the space can be a daunting task, yet it can ultimately be broken down into vendors and potential competitors to insurers. Even in the case of those insuretechs positioned competitively against incumbents, insurers can still learn a substantial amount from startups in the space. AI is revolutionizing the insurance landscape, climate risk analytics gain prominence, and customer and agent experience remains a priority. This report provides an overview of recent business, technology, and funding trends in insuretech. It is designed to assist insurers with creating shortlists and getting a better understanding of opportunities for partnerships and investment in the insuretech space. The report provides a short overview of 300 insuretech companies, including lines of business, key functional areas of focus, and insurance customers and investors when possible. The vendor profiles are based on publicly available information, briefings, and vendor conversations. Clients of Datos Insights’ Life, Annuities, & Benefits and Property & Casualty services can download this report. Click here to access the report or download the table of contents. About Datos Insights Datos Insights delivers the most...

0

People Moves: H.W. Kaufman Names Kaufman, Kaufman Davis Co-Presidents; Desett Joins HUB as N.A. Commercial Lines Pres.; Benson New Chubb Multinational Insurance Lead

Article 0 Comments H.W. Kaufman Group Names Kaufman and Kaufman Davis to Newly Established Co-President Role Danny Kaufman H.W. Kaufman Group, headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, named Danny Kaufman and Jodie Kaufman Davis as co-presidents. The newly created positions establish distinct leadership responsibilities across Kaufman’s broad global portfolio. Alan Jay Kaufman will continue serving as Kaufman’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Today, we are firmly and emphatically signaling to the marketplace, along with our clients, insurance company partners and 2,000+ associates, that Kaufman is committed to our independence under Danny and Jodie’s ongoing operational leadership,” said Alan J. Kaufman. “I am very proud of Danny and Jodie – the evolution of our company is a direct result of their strategic vision, their passion for this business and their shared desire to see Kaufman thrive under the next generation and beyond.” Jodie Kaufman Davis In addition to his current role as president of Burns & Wilcox in the U.S., Danny Kaufman is responsible for the Burns & Wilcox brokerage and Canadian divisions. The leadership for both divisions reports to him. Jodie Kaufman Davis will become vice chair of Atain Insurance Companies while retaining oversight of RB Jones. She will continue to...

0

Morgan Stanley Says CEO Ted Pick to Succeed Gorman as Chairman

Pick took over from Gorman as CEO at the start of the year and is fresh off the bank’s best earnings-day performance after reporting results earlier this month that exceeded expectations. Under Pick, the stock has climbed 27.8% this year. (Credit: Bloomberg) Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Ducks Unlimited Canada highlights Nature-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Solutions 0

Ducks Unlimited Canada highlights Nature-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Solutions

Oak Hammock Marsh, MB (Oct. 13, 2024) – October 13 marks the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is using the day to highlight the essential role of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in protecting communities from the growing risks of climate-related disasters. This year’s IDDRR theme focuses on protecting and empowering youth through education to create a resilient future, an action DUC passionately supports through its education and Nature Force initiatives. With the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, from floods to wildfires, the need for proactive investment in climate change adaptation and mitigation is more critical than ever. Floods are the most commonly occurring and most costly natural hazard in Canada. In the summer of 2024, Canadians experienced a record-shattering $7 billion in insured losses from extreme weather events, as reported by the Insurance Bureau of Canada. “Wetlands offer sustainable, cost-effective defences against severe weather events. By investing in and conserving these ecosystems, we can help to safeguard communities and infrastructure and mitigate the costs and impacts of climate-related disasters.” says Michael Nadler, CEO of Ducks Unlimited Canada. “As we mark the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction, it’s vital that we invest in...

0

New Rules Proposed to Block China, Russia, Iran From Accessing Bulk US Data

Article 0 Comments The U.S. Justice Department on Monday proposed new rules to protect federal government data or Americans’ bulk personal data from getting into the hands of countries like China, Iran and Russia by placing new limits on certain business transactions. The proposal, which was previewed in March, implements an executive order issued earlier this year by President Joe Biden which aims to keep foreign adversaries from using accessible American financial and genomic data and health data for cyber attacks, espionage and blackmail. In addition to China, Russia and Iran, the rule would also apply to Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea. Washington has been trying to stem the flow of American personal data to China, part of a years-long struggle over trade and technology. In 2018, a U.S. panel that reviews foreign investments for potential national security threats rejected a plan by China’s Ant Financial to acquire U.S. money transfer company MoneyGram International, because of concerns over safety of data that can be used to identify U.S. citizens. The officials said transactions will be banned with data brokers who know the information will end up in “countries of concern,” as will the transfer of any data on U.S. government...

0

Raymond James Tops Estimates, Adds 75 Reps in Latest Quarter

In the U.S., net new assets were $13.0 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter, representing an annualized growth rate of 4.0%.  Total domestic cash sweep and related balances were $57.9 billion, up 3% over the prior year’s fiscal fourth quarter. The unit’s net revenues grew 9% from a year ago to $2.48 billion in the latest quarter, but its pre-tax income of $461 million was down 3%. For the full fiscal year, private client net revenues were $9.46 billion, a jump of 9% over 2023 fiscal year, and pre-tax income was $1.79 billion, up 1%. “In the fiscal year, we generated domestic net new assets of $60.7 billion, a growth rate of 5.5%, as we remain focused on retaining, supporting and attracting high-quality financial advisors across our multiple affiliation options,” Reilly said. One day ahead of its earnings news, Raymond James said it added a team that includes five advisors, who previously managed roughly $1 billion with Merrill Lynch, to its employee channel in Williamsville, New York.

APRIL in Canada Announces Exclusive Agreement with Primaco to Simplify Premium Collection for Canadian Brokers 0

APRIL in Canada Announces Exclusive Agreement with Primaco to Simplify Premium Collection for Canadian Brokers

Montreal, QC (Oct. 23, 2024) – APRIL in Canada, specialized wholesale brokers in property and casualty insurance, are pleased to announce a partnership with Primaco, an expert in insurance payment and financing solutions. This agreement aims to simplify premium collection for APRIL’s Canadian partner brokers. All APRIL in Canada’s offerings now incorporate Primaco’s solution, which streamlines payment and digitizes management processes. Partner brokers thus benefit from APRIL’s range of services with a simplified payment system and optimized management. As part of continuous improvement and accelerating brokers’ digitalization, APRIL and Primaco now provide a more effective solution for premium financing management, facilitating lead conversion. “Our teams work daily to offer the best in digital solutions and human relationships to our partner brokers and their clients. This long-term partnership with Primaco complements our digital offerings for our Canadian partners, supporting their growth,” said Marie-Eve Paquette, Managing Director of APRIL in Canada. “At Primaco, we are proud to collaborate with APRIL in Canada to provide Canadian brokers with an innovative and accessible payment solution. This partnership aligns with our mission to simplify payment and financing operations, allowing brokers to focus on what matters most: delivering quality service and a streamlined experience to their...