CAMGA announces establishment of managing general agent-focused ombudservice

The Canadian Association of Managing General Agents (CAMGA) has announced that a new ombudservice dedicated to Canada’s managing general agents (MGAs) has been created.

According to a release, the ombudservice will have jurisdiction over inquiries and matters related to CAMGA’s MGA Code of Ethics and the MGA Code of Business Operating Standards. As a requirement to join CAMGA, MGAs must agree to adhere to the codes.

The association has partnered with Barb Szychta, who will serve as the MGA ombudservice. Szychta has over 30 years of insurance industry experience, and has worked as a broker, an insurance & risk management instructor, and as vice president of risk management services with an MGA.

“The association is committed to raising the level of professionalism and transparency within its member MGAs,” commented CAMGA executive director Steve Masnyk. “The standards are public, as are the names of the MGAs meeting them; this independent ombudservice will adjudicate any issues raised with respect to members of CAMGA.”

“MGAs are fast becoming the foremost underwriters within the commercial & specialty insurance markets, and such a growing footprint requires additional transparency and accountability towards their broker partners as well as their capacity providers; this service is another step towards making CAMGA member MGAs the gold standard for options and solutions,” added CAMGA president MaryKate Townsend.

Last September, CAMGA launched the new Bridge platform, which serves as an access point for brokers looking to connect with commercial and specialty MGA markets. It is free to use for brokerages of all sizes.