Ever since the first official measures were taken to limit the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Quebec, the RCCAQ team has been working non-stop to provide the same service quality as in the past. Please note that these efforts are far from over. We will continue to stand in solidarity with our member firms by offering expertise in various areas of your professional life. Representing your interests, boosting your business and enhancing your status: with your help, we will continue to fulfil our mission in these times of crisis.
Representing your interests
Lobbying to protect brokers' essential services
As soon as the Quebec government announced that businesses would be shutting down across the province, the RCCAQ took every step to ensure that brokerage firms were included in the list of essential service providers. Thanks to our ongoing lobbying of key officials, we are able to keep you rapidly informed the measures you need to take for your business and you have maintained the range of client services you provide.
Lobbying insurers: you asked questions, we took action!
The RCCAQ was the first organization to emphasize the importance of taking concrete action enabling brokers to provide Quebec consumers with proper support. Back in March, we asked the insurers to:
- Delay any increases in insurance premiums.
- Bring in measures aimed at avoiding circumstance-based suspensions of coverage, e.g. buildings remaining vacant for over 30 days.
- Automatically include coverage for computer equipment for policyholders working from home.
Insurers' guidelines: neatly summarized and closely monitored
Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, the RCCAQ has closely monitored various measures aimed at gradually easing insurers' conditions. We also took it upon ourselves to develop a summary document enabling our broker members to identify the guidelines issued by each insurer. Consult the summary here.
A number of these measures also brought up questions and concerns about applicability criteria and scope. Once again, the RCCAQ drew on the questions you raised to obtain the necessary adjustments and clarifications.
Boosting your business
RCCAQ members: annual dues period extended
Although the P&C insurance industry has stayed afloat, the fact remains that the ability to honour financial commitments differs from one firm to the next. We thus decided to extend the period in which firms can renew their RCCAQ membership. The member services team will be contacting you in the coming weeks to explain the renewal options available to you. Please keep an eye out for our communications in this regard!
Webinars to boost your business
In March, the RCCAQ team began rolling out a series of webinars aimed at supporting various aspects of brokers' professional activities. The most recent webinar, focusing on economic measures during the COVID-19 crisis, was given by two tax experts from the firm Hardy Normand & Associés. In the high-tech realm, the expertise of a leading consultant was put to good use during a webinar on cybersecurity for teleworkers. A broker panel and other tech-flavoured content will be featured in the coming weeks. The webinar videos can be viewed in the members-only section of the RCCAQ's website.
Specialized advice for better performance
The RCCAQ also includes RCCAQ Insurance and our specialized brokers' expertise. They are here to offer protection and guidance on charting a course for your firm. In the current crisis, the focus has been on business continuity plans, ethical matters and sound advice aimed at getting you through this crisis while supporting your clients as effectively as possible.
Enhancing your status
Brokers play a high-profile role advising consumers
The RCCAQ team includes brokers who have the necessary expertise to guide journalists wishing to obtain responses to Quebecers' questions. We are always available for media information requests. You can consult some of our interviews here.
COVID-19: discounts on my insurance premiums
COVID-19: the RCCAQ calls on insurers to provide a concerted response
Brokers ask insurers to do their bit
CORONAVIRUS: employers should call their insurance brokers
Advertising you can share in your networks
The Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC), in association with the RCCAQ, recently emphasized the importance of advising and assisting consumers by means of a new web-based advertising campaign. Please feel free to share this ad on your networks.
Major issues on which the RCCAQ will continue to represent your interests
- Applying new regulations governing P&C insurance brokerages
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the brokerage industry was going through a major period of transition. The RCCAQ will continue working to ensure that new regulatory provisions are implemented with a view to achieving a balance between protecting the public and developing the brokerage sector.
- Treating consumers fairly
Ensuring fair treatment of consumers is a nationwide project that all Canadian regulators are working on. Guidelines are already in place and the RCCAQ is working with the AMF to make the voices of insurance brokers heard.
- Addressing issues relating to commercial insurance, brokerage firms' digital transition and the shortage of qualified workers
These issues are of great importance, seeing as they are top priorities for brokerage firms and thus for the RCCAQ as well. We will continue to lobby key officials and marshal our resources.
Let's stay united!
After facing so many intense challenges (with more yet to come), I would be remiss if I did not stress the importance of staying united. With a strong RCCAQ, we will keep on reaching new milestones enabling brokers to carry on their professional activities with pride.
Thanks to your support, the RCCAQ will continue its efforts to address various market-related issues while meeting technological and workforce challenges. Thanks to brokers' solidarity, we will be able to maintain brokerage firms' autonomy. So let's stay united: that way, we can reach our goals while emerging even stronger from this crisis!
Sylvain Turgeon
Chair, RCCAQ
