PEOPLE Allstate expands into smartphone repair
In a surprise move, Allstate Corporation has acquired iCracked, a provider of on-site, on-demand repair services for smartphones and tablets that operates in more than 60 metropolitan areas in the US and Canada. The deal has garnered support from right-to-repair advocates. San Francisco-based iCracked will join SquareTrade, an Allstate company providing consumer protection plans and tech support. “SquareTrade is uniquely positioned to protect the hardware and software that power our customers’ connected devices,” said iCracked president and co-founder Ahmed Khaishgi.
Blink sees travel insurance success in Canada
Ireland-based insurtech firm Blink Innovation has reported a “significant uptake” in its travel delay insurance service in Canada. Dubbed Serenity Service and launched with Blue Cross in Ontario and Quebec, the service notifies travellers instantly if a flight is delayed. It also offers clients options for a cash payment or access to airport lounges and hotel bookings in the event of a travel delay. “The figures show that more and more Blue Cross clients are registering with the Serenity Service,” said Blink CEO Paul Prendergast. “We are now embedded in thousands of Blue Cross policies.”
SSQ forms innovative partnership
Reinforcing its travel insurance portfolio, SSQ Insurance has partnered with FlightClaim.ca to provide policyholders with a compensation solution in the event of a cancelled, delayed or overbooked flight. FlightClaim.ca aims to protect travellers in the event of cancellations of delays by offering free-of-charge options until compensation is obtained from the airline. SSQ Insurance will provide FlightClaim.ca’s services through its AssuranceVoyages.ca travel insurance subsidiary, with the possibility of adding the services to its other travel insurance products in the future.
NAME
LEAVING
JOINING
NEW POSITION
Jim Back
N/A
CRU Group
Director, environmental division
Alec Blundell
N/A
The Co-operators
Executive vice-president and COO of Co-operators Life Insurance
Matt Button
N/A
Davies Group
Chief corporate officer
Sean Deakin
The Guarantee Company of North America
CNA
Vice-president, national manager of surety
Graham Haigh
N/A
Wawanesa Mutual Insurance
Vice-president of broker distribution
Iva Ivanova
N/A
Davies Group
M&A director
Lambros Lambrou
N/A
Aon
Global chief executive, Commercial Risk Solutions
Michael Lombardi
N/A
Lockton
Executive vice-president and global client services practice leader
Baptiste Ossena
N/A
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty
North American regional head of hull and marine liabilities
Hayley Spink
N/A
Lloyd’s of London
Head of global operations
Yvonne Steiner
RSA Canada
Zurich Canada
Head of property unit
Maurice Tulloch
N/A
Aviva
CEO
Davies Group makes senior promotions
As part of its investment and international rollout plans, Davies Group promoted Matt Button (pictured) to the newly created role of chief corporate development officer. On top of his existing M&A responsibilities, Button will increase his focus on group strategy and stakeholder management. Davies Group has also promoted Iva Ivanova to the newly created role of M&A director, where she will take on new responsibilities for sourcing and executing acquisition opportunities. “These new senior roles for Matt and Iva are thoroughly deserved, and I look forward to working closely with them and our wider global team,” said Davies Group CEO Dan Saulter.
Aviva appoints a new CEO
Aviva named Maurice Tulloch as its new CEO to replace Mark Wilson, who left the company last year. Tulloch has been with Aviva since 1992, most recently serving as CEO of its international insurance division, responsible for the firm’s life and general insurance operations in Canada, France, Italy, Poland, India, Turkey and Ireland. With Tulloch’s appointment, Sir Adrian Montague, who had been serving as acting CEO, will revert to his role as non-executive chairman. “There is a clear opportunity to realize Aviva’s significant but untapped potential,” Tulloch said. “We must focus on the fundamentals of insurance and giving our customers the best possible experience.”
www.insurancebusiness.ca
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