Members of both houses of Congress are trying to make it easier for Canadian Snowbirds to spend more time in the US. However, several of these initiatives have stalled as they are buried in “immigration reform” bills. Please click here for the article.

  “We’ve living longer, but not healthier.” No truer words have even been written. Travel insurance is a good proxy for the rising cost of health care. Please refer to article here

This article first appeared in the Fall of 2010 and was published again in the Monday December 23rd, 2013 edition of the Toronto Star, Business Section. Please click here to refer to the article.

2014 marks the launch of the TD Aeroplan Cards (3 personal Cards and one for Business customers) as well as the new American Express AIR MILES Reserve Credit Card.  At the top-end, the annual fees are $399 and $299 for the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card and the American Express AIR MILES Reserve Credit Card respectively.

As this December 2013 white paper demonstrates clearly, “Word of mouth” may be a far better indicator than “Net Promoter Score”. Customer may be loyal but not willing to recommend your firm or your service to others. As Aimia’s Geoff Thomas, Director of New Product Development, has pointed out, you also need to ask “would you discourage others from …

Between September 20th and October 21st, over 17,000 Canadians responded to a  Rewards Canada survey asking them to rank their top Travel Rewards Card (they have 5 categories).  It is interesting to see how these results compared with Rewards Canada’s own assessment of the top Travel Rewards Cards which was published in June 2013.  Their conclusion is that respondents voted for the cards they have in their wallet “even …

In a recent study conducted by HSBC Bank, Thailand ranked 1st out of 34 countries in a quality of life survey. The study looked at several factors including  earnings capacity in the residing country, spending requirements for everyday essentials such as housing, transportation and utilities as well as personal tax rates.  When “Raising Children Abroad” data are included, China ranks 1st followed by …

The cost of an out-of-country medical emergency can be staggering. Traveling abroad without coverage may require the individual, or their immediate family, to liquidate assets in order to cover the bills. I am aware of many instances where the travellers’ children, intent on preserving an estate but whose parents may not be able to cover the full cost …

On September 11, 2013, A.M. Best Company held its annual market briefing in Toronto. Much of the focus dealt with the P&C sector. Look for the video clip titled “Canadian Insurers Seen Responding to Market Jolts.”  It lasts about 5 minutes. See video here.

As we return from Summer holidays, two articles (one recent, the other not) do a fine job of describing the size, scope and potential opportunities within the Canadian travel insurance marketplace. While the “snowbird market” is quite large, (nearly half of all Per Trip Plan premiums emanate from this cohort), there is a view that Canadians aged 18-34 represent an untapped opportunity.  This group holds the view that their provincial health insurance …