Because we are owner/operators - The Prolink Group has over 50 locations/partners with aggregate premiums in property and casualty in excess of $500,000,000.00. We literally own our businesses and to be sure we worry about meeting and exceeding our client's needs. Despite the worst recession in 50 years, we believe that PROLINK is the fastest growing (organic growth vs. acquisitions) insurance group in Canada in 2009.
When Insurer Profitability crashes, pundits call it a "Hard Market". Sharp if not staggering drops in profitability have left many insurers running for the exits. For every dollar which insurers receive, some are actually paying out $1:10 or more.
In normal economic times insurers could offset these losses by their investment income ...but obviously that is a problem area too.
Particularly hard hit portfolios are Ontario and Alberta Automobile; but to be certain property losses and weather related losses are also flooding in. In both provinces governments are defining the auto insurance product to a world high standard while insurers defer adequate rate hikes in order to maintain market share.
PROLINK ADVICE: Clients dealing with Brokers who have multiple insurers to choose from are best served in these periods of rate increases and Insurer unpredictability.