Canada News

Lack of Winter Snow Raises Canadian Forest Fire Concerns

Two Canadian provinces are worried about an early start to this year’s forest fire season because of below-normal winter snowfall and dry spring conditions. British Columbia has put fire-fighting aircraft on 48-hour alert, something they do not normally do until …

Airing Out the Issues of Money Laundering

Multinationals Face Heightened Compliance Requirements in High Risk Countries As the international community steps up its efforts to fight money laundering, a number of countries are now requiring insurers to obtain additional information from their customers to screen out possible …

Innovative Use of Insurance Tools in Disaster Risk Management for Sustainable Development

The devastating effects of Hurricane Ivan in the summer of 2004, when it crossed the Caribbean Sea causing major damage in Grenada, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, produced one good thing. The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) heads of …

First Tsunami Awareness Week: States To Test Communication System

In the wake of last month’s tsunami in Chile and less than six months after a tsunami hit American Samoa — both events that resulted in loss of life and property — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the …

Ratings Roundup: Middle East, China Taiping, LAWPRO

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has lowered its long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on Jordan-based Middle East Insurance Company (MEICO) to ‘BBB-‘ from ‘BBB’. The outlook is stable. The rating action follows the “downgrade on March 12, …

Best Affirms Chubb Group and Subsidiaries ‘A++’ Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A++’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa+” of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies and its P/C members. Best also affirmed the ICR of “aa-“, senior debt …

Catlin Arctic Survey 2010 Explorers Begin Sea Ice Mission

A team of veteran polar explorers on Sunday began a 500-kilometer [312 mile] trek across the floating sea ice of the Arctic Ocean as part of the Catlin Arctic Survey 2010, an international scientific mission to learn how increased carbon …

ASCnet Relocating to Chicago-Area; CEO Search Initiated

Applied Systems Client Network (ASCnet), the user group of Applied Systems insurance agency management software, is planning to relocate by year-end 2010 to the Chicago area. Prior to the move, ASCnet will hire a permanent CEO to succeed interim CEO …

Protective, MAPFRE Sign Agreement for Non-U.S. Vehicle Service

The Asset Protection Division of Protective Life Insurance Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Corporation, has signed an agreement with MAPFRE ASISTENCIA, a subsidiary of MAPFRE, S.A. for vehicle assistance products outside the U.S. and Canada The bulletin said …

Fremont Insurance Expands Yacht Policy Navigation Coverage

Fremont Insurance, a Michigan-based property and casualty insurance carrier, has unveiled new enhancements to the company’s yacht policy, which allows policyholders the ability to travel anywhere in North America without loss of coverage or travel endorsements. Fremont Insurance has expanded …