Volume 55, Number 4, 1988

FR:

L’auteur examine dans son article les résultats de l’exercice 1986. Il fait les commentaires qu’il a jugé nécessaires et il les fait suivre de certaines conclusions, aussi bien pour l’année 1986 que pour 1987 et même 1988. Si la partie la plus importante du texte vient un an après la fin de l’exercice, par contre, le lecteur y trouvera l’étude que M. Robey consacre chaque année aux résultats obtenus. Il y a là une continuité qui permet de suivre l’évolution de l’assurance et de la réassurance durant l’exercice.

EN:

The year 1987 has not only been one of major economic and financial activity, but also the year of the stock market crash which deeply affected all of us. Though some indices remain favourable, the optimism which prevailed prior to the crash has given way to uncertainty and hesitation. If the situation on the international scene is not worrisome, it is, however, quite disturbing. There is a pressing need for leading industrialized nations to coordinate their economic policies. The circumstances which precipitated the market into turmoil are clear: the United States are living beyond their means. Moreover, are they not the world's bankers? Will they ever be again? Who knows?

FR:

Me John I.S. Nicholl nous communique un travail très fouillé sur des raisons qui peuvent justifier un assureur de refuser la garantie, dans le cas d’une assurance des biens. Me Nicholl entre dans beaucoup de détails pour conclure que l’assureur n’est libéré de son engagement que s’il est bien démontré : a) qu’il n’était pas au courant de tous les faits importants entourant le risque; b) que si l’assuré n’a pas présenté les aspects principaux du risque qui ont entraîné un sinistre; c) qu’on ne lui a pas communiqué tous les faits qui auraient pu influencer son jugement, qui l’auraient empêché d’accepter l’assurance ou auraient exigé une prime plus élevée. Si le texte de Me Nicholl semble un peu hermétique, il y a là une question difficile. Par ailleurs, si l’assuré ou son courtier est tenu de présenter l’essentiel, ceux-ci peuvent être tout à fait justifiés de prendre pour acquis que le risque est en substance bien présenté, suffisamment exposé pour permettre à l’assureur de payer le sinistre en totalité ou en partie, selon les faits. Sinon, ils doivent préciser ceux-ci à l’avance.

EN:

Computerization is an art in itself. Though computer systems are costly, both in equipment and in maintenance, they do offer quite an extraordinary solution to information problems. No longer can we content ourseIves with a few general details; action must be planned and analyzed to ensure the results expected. This is what a delicate and complex, yet precious resource allows us to achieve when the right solution is found. Our collaborator, Mr. Domenic J. Luccisano, has examined the extensive research which had to be undertaken before reaching a final decision in a particular case, here Dale-Parizeau, both during the installation process and afterwards. The group consists of thirty-five offices across the country. In his article, Mr. Luccisano presents the various studies undertaken to equip the group with efficient facilities, taking into account local needs and the control required for the system as a whole. In this article, the reader will find the solution to these problems which one of our collaborators, Mr. André Parizeau, described in Thoughts on Computer Systems, published in our October 1987 issue.

EN:

When purchasing insurance for condominiums, the insurance buyer must make certain that his policy covers all potential sources of claims. The purposes of this article are to examine the new bill recently adopted by Quebec Legislature, Bill 20 and the insurance implications; to give a general description of the terms given in the Condominium Declarations; and to present a new Condominium Declaration filed by La Chambre des notaires du Québec in regard to insurance policies on building managed by the administrators and to insurance policies on personal property of the co-owners. Much literature is available on the civil law of condominiums and insurance specifications, which often reveal contradictory aspects. We welcome the standardized Condominium Declaration providing the necessary information to subscribe proper coverage.

FR:

La qualité du travail est essentielle, aussi bien en assurance que dans tous les autres domaines. M. Ned Pugh rapelle cette vieille formule, en soulignant qu’elle est à la base même du succès de nos entreprises. Nous ne saurions trop signaler le fait. Nous remercions l’auteur de nous avoir permis de reproduire son texte dans notre Revue. Il y a là une très vieille idée, mais qui mérite d’être signalée à nouveau.

EN:

In our society of information, databanks are in the core of every corporate strategy. After a brief description of the various types of databanks, the article surveys the industry and analyzes the insurance oriented databanks. As the industry is largely dominated by the United States, the author suggests that Quebec's databanks industry, possibly in accordance with the government, works out to produce profitable databanks that would help Quebec to be part of the information industry actually expanding.

EN:

After the two world wars, AIDS is without a doubt the worst calamity of modern times and the number one problem of this decade. It is quite surprising that Nostradamus did not predict that a phenomenon such as AIDS would be among the cataclysms of the modern area. Perhaps he thought that medical science would at this point be so advanced that such a disease could be conquered without us insurers losing our shirts. In actual fact, AIDS is a very serious problem which must be addressed before it is too late.

EN:

Every two years, the United Nations Conference on Commerce and Development publishes a study on recent events in the field of insurance and reinsurance in developing countries. This year, it has added a study of statistical data on insurance and reinsurance operations which is available on demand. Following is a summary of these statistical data.