ILSTV got a new look for the new year!

(We've enjoyed hearing feedback and comments from ILSTV viewers since we launched in 2008, and a lot of those comments have helped us create this revamped version of the daily news website.)

Are you new to ILSTV? ILSTV is your free source of daily updated insurance industry news and information.

Are you already familiar with ILSTV? Well, we are sure you will continue to enjoy ILSTV. Our new look gives you even more options and features for staying informed with the Canadian and international insurance industries. Here are some quick highlights of the added features:

• Now you can watch ILSTV videos and read the accompanying articles on your Blackberry, iPhone or other mobile device. Get caught up on industry news while you commute or are otherwise on the go.
• We've added new featured videos that go beyond the daily headlines and examine the people and larger issues behind the news.
• We've integrated the text and video, so you are always just one click away from the whole story.
• Searching is now faster and easier and at a quick glance, you can find out more about related stores and other breaking news.

Take some time to take a look around the new-look ILSTV at www.ilstv.com. If you need some help, check out some of our quick tutorials on the various features:

For more on featured videos, click here.
For more on related stories, click here.
For more on event updates, click here.
For more on news, top stories and feedback, click here.
For more on searching, click here.

We'd love to know what you think about this new-look ILSTV. Send us an email at comments@ilstv.com.

Happy New Year from ILScorp!

We hope that your 2009 was a great year, but that 2010 will be even better. Both ILScorp and ILSTV will be bringing you great new features and benefits this year, so your professional needs will be addressed.

Happy 2010!

In November's On Track, we asked readers for their input. By filling out the quick survey, every respondent had a chance to win a $25 gift certificate.

Our lucky November winner is Cathy Portmann from Dyck Insurance in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Congratulations, Cathy and enjoy your gift certificate!

Do you want a chance to win? December's survey is the last of the year. Give us your thoughts and you too could win. Click here to get to December's On Track.

We have been receiving a ton of great feedback on the Canadian Insurance Scholarship Program so far!

The need to attract more talent to the insurance industry is as pressing as always, and the program’s sponsors are helping to make sure that the industry remains strong for years to come.

For information on how you can sponsor a student, please see www.theworldofopportunities.com. Or, check out our latest news release.

Neil Narayan from Surrey, B.C.'s MacNaughton & Ward Insurance is the winner of ILScorp's October On Track survey draw!

Neil completed the quick survey in October's On Track and has won a $25 gift certificate to The Keg.

Thank you for your input, Neil and congratulations.

Do you want your chance to win? Check out November's On Track newsletter here, complete the survey and you could be our next winner!

Attention: ILScorp office closure on November 16, 2009

November 16, 2009 –

Attention ILScorp subscribers – Due to heavy rain and flooding in Courtenay, BC, the city has declared a state of emergency.

As a result, the ILScorp office closed at 2:00 pm PST on Monday. If you require assistance with ILScorp courses, subscriptions or other matters, please send an email to info@ilscorp.com and one of our representatives will get back to you once the office has reopened.

We’re sorry for any inconveniences and thank you for your patience.

November 10, 2009 – Courtenay, BC

Imagine an industry where nearly half of all employees are between the ages of 41 and 60. Imagine in that same industry that employees tend to retire two to three years earlier than workers in all other Canadian sectors. Current retirement projections in this industry show that 25 percent of this labour force will retire between 2012 and 2017.

This is the current reality in the Canadian insurance industry.

In its study “A Demographic Analysis of the P&C Insurance Industry in Canada, 2007 to 2017”, the Insurance Institute released the above statistics, finding that the industry’s workforce is aging, retiring younger and in droves. One-quarter of current insurance professionals could retire during a five-year span, beginning in less than three years.

As the demographics of the Canadian workforce change, the industry is finding a need for new talent.

The newly launched Canadian Insurance Scholarship Program, created in conjunction with online insurance educator ILScorp, offers Canadian high school students a chance to join this exciting industry and get their own careers started with a kick-start from current industry professionals.

Through the Canadian Insurance Scholarship Program’s website (www.theworldofopportunities.com), insurance professionals can sponsor high school students in their first steps towards their new career. A sponsorship provides the student with access to the online Level 1 video preparation course for their province, the provincial insurance exam fee and ongoing support during the studying, exam preparation and job hunting processes. One scholarship is equal to one fresh, new employee in the insurance talent pool.

“For years we’ve been hearing about the impending staffing crisis in the insurance industry,” said Shelley Ridgewell, Program Coordinator for the Canadian Insurance Scholarship Program. “The Canadian Insurance Scholarship Program is doing something about it. Through their donations, brokers and other industry members are ensuring that the industry is strengthened as more and more young men and women start their own insurance careers.”

“Quite simply,” she added, “the goal is to recruit and promote excellence in the Canadian insurance industry by having insurance companies underwrite the licensing education of future employees: high school students.”

“The Canadian Insurance Scholarship Program is the first program of its kind in Canada,” said Steve Hawrishok, ILScorp founder and long-time insurance educator. “We really wanted to do something about the shortage being experienced by the insurance brokerages across Canada. “

Companies or individuals who wish to donate a scholarship in their name can do so now through the Program’s website: www.theworldofopportunities.com. Each scholarship is $450. Further information about the sponsorship process can also be found on the Program’s website.

The application process for interested students is also available now through the site.

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For more information:
Shelley Ridgewell, Program Coordinator, Canadian Insurance Scholarship Program
(506) 471-6086
shelley@ilscorp.com
www.theworldofopportunities.com

Video:

Congratulations to Barb Dinan from Totten Insurance Group!

Barb completed the survey found in September’s On Track and was selected randomly as the winner of a $25 gift certificate of her choice. (She chose Starbucks.)

Barb is a Vice President at Totten Group and works in Sudbury, Ontario.

Congratulations, Barb and thank you again for offering ILScorp your feedback.

Do you want a chance to win? There’s still time to fill out October’s survey: http://ilscorp.com/newsletter/Oct-09.html

Nobody likes to point out potentially embarrassing situations, but when faced with them in the office, workers are more likely to address them with their peers than with co-workers in higher or lower positions. More than 4,400 workers participated in a nationwide survey from CareerBuilder in which they were asked, given the following embarrassing situations, which of your co-workers you would tell the following:

"Your zipper is undone"
a. Same level co-worker - 67 percent
b. Lower level co-worker - 62 percent
c. Higher level co-worker - 50 percent

"You have something in your nose"
a. Same level co-worker - 51 percent
b. Lower level co-worker - 46 percent
c. Higher level co-worker - 33 percent

"You have food in your teeth or on your face"
a. Same level co-worker - 66 percent
b. Lower level co-worker - 60 percent
c. Higher level co-worker - 49 percent

"Your hair is messy"
a. Same level co-worker - 33 percent
b. Lower level co-worker - 30 percent
c. Higher level co-worker - 13 percent

"You have a stain on your clothes"
a. Same level co-worker - 51 percent
b. Lower level co-worker - 47 percent
c. Higher level co-worker - 34 percent

"You need a shower"
a. Same level co-worker - 28 percent
b. Lower level co-worker - 28 percent
c. Higher level co-worker - 11 percent

"Your apparel is not appropriate for the office"
a. Same level co-worker - 32 percent
b. Lower level co-worker - 37 percent
c. Higher level co-worker - 10 percent

Do you have a personal line that you won’t cross with a co-worker? Should some things just not be spoken about? Leave a comment with your thoughts.

 

October 13, 2009 Great news for Insurance Adjusters – ILScorp has just added three new online video courses created with you in mind! The latest Continuing Education courses are accredited and included in the Annual Adjusters Subscription. This means subscribers can access these new courses at no additional cost. The new courses are: "Collaborative Negotiation" - Adjusters always seem to be under pressure to close files; in fact, this is one of their mandates. What is the biggest obstacle to achieving this goal, Disagreements? If not managed effectively from the outset small disputes grow into bigger ones. The result the file stays open longer and the chances of a good settlement start slipping away. What if you could prevent a large percent of disputes from growing, walk away with a good settlement and gain the respect of the other party in the process? That’s what "Collaborative Negotiation" is all about. This course introduces principles in a methodology for resolving conflict in a way that is ideally suited for the claims environment. "Torts" - Whenever faced with a liability claim we instinctively attempt to determine fault, look for negligence. Negligence is based on a breach of duty of care; we accept this as the norm.  In their wisdom, our courts have recognized that there are special groups in our society, which because of position or the relationship with others have a higher duty of care imposed on them.  There are even extreme circumstances where parties can be held liable in the absence of negligence. On the flip side, the courts also recognize acceptable liability defenses which apply to specific situations, but will not hold up under normal circumstances. "Torts" identify these special situations, explain the exceptions in our laws and provide guidelines for the adjustment of claims for these out of the ordinary occurrences. "Contract Law and the Insurance Policy" - It has been said that the insurance policy is one of the most complex documents we will ever encounter. Just look at the sheer volume of cases that have passed through our courts, contesting the meaning and testing the application of the wording against specific losses. When faced with questionable coverage situations of policy breeches you only get one chance to get it right. If you have any concerns about handling such controversies, "Contract Law and the Insurance Policy" is designed for you.  It is a guide to understanding the key principles of contract law including the very same legal doctrines that the courts rely on to make their decisions. Each of these courses is accredited for one hour of Continuing Education credits. Are you interested in an Annual Adjuster Subscription? For just $175, you can have access to numerous Adjuster-specific courses, including these latest three, plus access to over 160 online General Insurance courses and access to a three-part Adjusters Privacy Compliance Program. For more information, contact ILScorp at 1-800-404-2211 or visit us at www.ilscorp.com.