Jan 28, 2014 | News
Canadian drivers are increasingly researching their vehicle insurance options online before visiting their insurance agent or, also increasingly, purchasing their insurance directly online.
Insurance agents need to be educated on the options available to consumers, and be able to present the advantages of dealing with them over making online purchases. Meanwhile insurance companies are seeking to make it easier for consumers to purchase directly from them.
A new competitor has recently entered the Canadian market. Drivers in Canada now have a new way of discovering Canadian insurance agencies, by using the Auto Pros company website. A new group of Canadian auto insurance policy providers have joined the online quote centre setup.
The Canadian companies that are currently available for research online are now able to quote motor vehicle policy plans. Every provider that is represented in the international system has the ability to quote prices based on the location of each driver.
This new and simplified way of obtaining pricing is a recent upgrade to the Auto Pros services this year. The inclusion of American and Canadian agencies in the lookup system is extending the research options for different policy types that drivers use most often for vehicle protection.
The Canadian provider agencies now found in the research system has increased the numbers of policies that drivers can review. Apart from basic insurer protection, policy types that can be customized are offered by select agencies and quotes are now presented online.
ILScorp offers vehicle insurance courses for agents working in BC and Ontario. Two ICBC Autoplan courses are now available at both beginner and advanced levels. Both courses review: ICBC Autoplan coverages and exclusions; accident benefits; underinsured motorist protection; hit-and-run & UMP; third-party liability; and what ICBC covers. The ILScorp Certified Ontario Auto Expert Course leads you through the coverage, common client concerns and questions, errors and omissions avoidance, options, and important considerations in giving advice about private automobile coverage in Ontario.
Stay informed and enhance your professional skills with continuing education courses from ISLcorp.
Jan 27, 2014 | News
Congratulations to all of our Share and Win prize winners. Thank you to everyone who visited our Facebook page, to share with us what you want to learn in 2014. See all of the entries on Facebook.
It was a pleasure for us to hear from you that ILScorp has the courses that you want to take to expand your professional horizons this year. Whether it’s earning your insurance license or more designations, improving your professional skills or gaining experience in specific areas of insurance, ILScorp is here to help!
Congratulations to the following winners, who shared what they want to learn in 2014:
- Tracy Harnden Johnson: “I would like to get my designation.”
- Carolyn Suttle: “I want to learn how to study and pass my CAIB exams easier in 2014. My old brain needs help. I’ve attempted many times without success and have heard from many that your program is the best way to go.”
- Lesley Barrie: “I want to learn more about the management side of insurance and therefore, look forward to taking CAIB4.”
- Julia Mary Corsie: “I want to learn more about personal lines and to pass my CAIB 2 in 2014!!”
- Heather M. Sweetman: “I want to learn the skills to write a long answer exam, specifically CAIB1”
Each of our five winners will have $500 to spend on their choice of ILScorp online insurance training. They can choose from a subscription to our Continuing Education catalogues, the ILS introduction to General Insurance Licensing Program, our CAIB exam prep courses, and more.
We will contact each of our winners on Monday Jan. 27. CONGRATULATIONS!
Jan 24, 2014 | News
It’s the last day to share and win with ILScorp. We want to know what you want to learn in 2014, and give you the chance to win your choice of courses from ILScorp!
We’re excited to hear what you want to learn. From general ideas, to specific courses, agents across Canada know they can benefit from online insurance training from ILScorp. The entires are showing a huge variety of interests, and we know ILS can help!
Jenna F. tells us she wants to “learn my commercial insurance basics so I can move on to more complicated things, as I have been given the chance to start my career with an awesome company,” while Charlene S. says she wants to “learn more about claim outcomes and settlements.”
Angele C shared that she wants to “learn to be an expert in marketing in 2014.”
Debbie is excited to complete the ILS Introduction to General Insurance: “I work in a insurance office doing the motor vehicle and have attempted the fundamentals book as it was really difficult to understand. A few of my co-workers have completed the ILS course with great success, and the book was fun and easy to read. I would love to have the opportunity to complete it with this course. I am so motivated to try this!!”
Meanwhile Cathy P. says she wants “I want to learn to more….. just more.”
What do you want to learn in 2014? Let us know on our Facebook page which skills or subjects you’d most like to learn this year by filling in the blank: I want to learn ___________________ in 2014.
Whether you’re ready to begin your career in insurance, looking to upgrade your license, increase knowledge in specific areas of insurance, or learn business skills including time management and leadership, ILScorp has online courses to help you improve your professional life. Regardless of your goals, you’ll find online insurance training to suit your needs.
Share your answer on our Facebook page today, and you could win the chance to “learn more and earn more” with ILS. To help you achieve your 2014 learning goals, we’ll select contest five winners from these comments, who will receive up $500 worth of ILScorp online courses. Contest entries must be received by Jan. 24, 2o14.
Winners receive an ILScorp subscription or ILScorp course valued up to $500. All prizes must be redeemed by May 1, 2014.
* No cash value. Does not apply to previous purchases. Is not transferable to another person.
Jan 22, 2014 | News
As temperatures plummet again in eastern Canada, and the snow continues to fall, it’s a great time to review and share 10 important winter driving tips. Share these winter driving tips with your insurance clients and help keep everyone safe on the road.
1. Avoid the winter slip ‘n’ slide: It’s well past the time to switch your all-season tires to winter ones (this should be done before the temperature drops below 7°C). Winter tires optimize the performance and safety of winter driving. Not convinced you need them? Consider that the braking distance of a winter tire could be up to two vehicle lengths shorter than the braking distance of an all-season tire rolling at 24 km/h. There is still plenty of winter driving weather ahead.
2. Defrost your windows well: Neglecting to defrost your windows might get you to your destination faster, but it’s a dangerous habit. Plan for a few extra minutes to clean all your car’s windows well. And don’t forget to clear off the top of your vehicle—snow could slide down the windshield and obstruct your view while the vehicle is in motion.
3. Winterize your trunk: Keeping a roadside safety kit in your trunk year-round is a good idea, but winter driving conditions require extra safety equipment. Make sure you’re carrying a scraper for the windshield, a small shovel, a sandbag, candles, and warm clothing like gloves and a hat. Be prepared if you have to get out of your car in cold weather.
4. Replace worn tires: It’s important to check your tires each winter season because worn or bald tires can be dangerous. Tires have tread wear indicator bars molded into them. A solid bar of rubber across the width of the tread means it’s time to replace the tire.
5. Don’t mix and match: Mixing tires with different tread patterns, different internal constructions and/or different sizes compromises the stability of the vehicle. Ensure your vehicle is equipped with four identical winter tires.
6. Top up your fluids: Always keep your gas tank at least half full. On very cold days, the condensation in the tank can freeze and cause problems. Also, don’t forget about your windshield-washer fluid – this is also extremely important on those sunny day!
7. Pump up your tires: For every 5°C drop in temperature, tires lose one pound of air pressure. To ensure optimum fuel efficiency and prevent irregular or premature wear, tire inflation should be checked monthly.
8. See and be seen: It is critical for drivers to see and be seen in low light conditions, and when blowing snow impairs visibility. Always drive with your headlights on.
9. Take a cellphone: For long trips, don’t forget to take a cellphone in case you need to call for help. Pull over to the side of the road and stop your vehicle before making the call.
10. Drop your speed to match road conditions: The posted speed is the maximum speed under ideal conditions. In winter, it is safer to drive below the posted speed. No matter how much experience you have, the way your car will move on snow or ice always has an element of unpredictability.
Are you an insurance agent looking for a greater understanding of vehicle insurance in your province? ILScorp has online courses for ICBC Autoplan Agents in BC and an Ontario Auto Expert continuing education course. Visit ILScorp.com to learn more about our online continuing education courses for insurance agents.
Jan 21, 2014 | News
A year of severe weather cost Canada’s property and casualty insurers $3.2 billion in 2013 – the highest payout ever for Canada’s property and casualty insurers.
Insured losses reached more than $3 billion last year, after devastating flooding, hail and ice storms caused extensive damage across the country, industry association Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) announced Monday.
“In 2013, the terrible effects of the new weather extremes hit Canadians hard,” Don Forgeron, chief executive of IBC, said in a press release. “From the Alberta floods last summer to the ice storms in Ontario and Atlantic Canada over the holidays, frankly, bad weather hit insurers hard, too.”
The widespread rainfall and flooding that swept through southern Alberta in June last year clocked in as the country’s most expensive natural disaster on record. Insured damages from these storms exceeded $1.7-billion, according to IBC. Extensive storms in Toronto last summer also broke records as the most costly insured natural disaster in the province of Ontario’s history, IBC said. Insured damages reached $940-million as thousands of homes and businesses were flooded and lost power.
Flooding and water damage has exceeded fire as a source of insurance claims in Canada in recent years.
“Canadian communities are seeing more severe weather, especially more intense rainfall,” Forgeron said in a statement. Insurers are working with governments to try to mitigate the effects of these disasters, he said.
Both insurance companies and the reinsurers that back up excesses insurance industry losses are developing technologies to help predict extreme climactic events, and limit impacts.
Reinsurance firm Swiss Reinsurance Co. Ltd. has invested in a satellite mapping system called CatNet that creates precise flood, tornado and hail zones that help insurance companies quickly understand the extent of storms, and help adjusters process claims quicker. The system also helps insurers predict where damage is likely to occur, and plan for the expense of future claims.
IBC has created a system that assesses a municipality’s weak spots for sewer backup damage. The predictive tool, called the MRAT (Municipal Risk Assessment Tool), identifies where a city’s infrastructure is weak now, and where it may be vulnerable in the future.
The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters has also prompted some insurers to make changes to their home, car and business insurance policies and increase premiums to reflect the increasing risks associated with weather.
For more information about how to protect yourself from severe weather, visit ibc.ca
Insurance agents in Canada are continually upgrading their knowledge, with continuing education training for insurance agents being mandatory in most provinces, and they are your best source for insurance information.
A reminder for insurance agents in BC and Manitoba: your continuing education deadlines are May 31. Alberta agents: your new CE deadline is June 30.
Excerpted from ILStv
Jan 17, 2014 | News
You still have time to share and win to start off your New Year. We want to know what you want to learn in 2014, and give you the chance to win your choice of courses from ILScorp!
A number of entries are rolling in, and we’re excited to hear what you want to learn. From general ideas, to specific courses, agents across Canada know they can benefit from online insurance training from ILScorp.
Leslie B. tells us she wants to “I want to learn more about the Management side of Insurance and therefore, (is) look(ing) forward to taking CAIB4,” while Lorelei W. says she wants to “learn more on completing business income work sheets and equipment breakdown.”
Angele C shared that she wants to “learn to be an expert in marketing in 2014.”
Debbie is excited to complete the ILS Introduction to General Insurance: “I work in a insurance office doing the motor vehicle and have attempted the fundamentals book as it was really difficult to understand. A few of my co-workers have completed the ILS course with great success, and the book was fun and easy to read. I would love to have the opportunity to complete it with this course. I am so motivated to try this!!”
Meanwhile Steve H. says he wants “to learn more about high net worth client retention in 2014.”
What do you want to learn in 2014? Let us know on our Facebook page which skills or subjects you’d most like to learn this year by filling in the blank: I want to learn ___________________ in 2014.
Whether you’re ready to begin your career in insurance, looking to upgrade your license, increase knowledge in specific areas of insurance, or learn business skills including time management and leadership, ILScorp has online courses to help you improve your professional life. Regardless of your goals, you’ll find online insurance training to suit your needs.
Share your answer on our Facebook page by next Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, and you could win the chance to “learn more and earn more” with ILS. To help you achieve your 2014 learning goals, we’ll select contest five winners from these comments, who will receive up $500 worth of ILScorp online courses. Enter today!
Winners receive an ILScorp subscription or ILScorp course valued up to $500. All prizes must be redeemed by May 1, 2014.
* No cash value. Does not apply to previous purchases. Is not transferable to another person.
