Centre for Study of Insurance Operations
CSIO, the Centre for Study of Insurance Operations, is the Canadian property and casualty insurance industry's nonprofit association of insurers, brokers and software providers.{{cite web|url=http://www.csio.com/about-csio |title=About |publisher=CSIO |date=2014-08-18 |accessdate=2015-03-09}} Much of its work is in the development of data standards, especially XML and EDI, for the transmission of insurance information throughout the Canadian P&C insurance industry.
CSIO also promotes the adoption of various technologies within the industry, such as telematics{{cite web |url=http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/csio-to-release-telematics-data-standard-in-january/1002667809/ |title=CSIO to release telematics data standard in January |publisher=Canadianunderwriter.ca |date=2013-10-21 |accessdate=2015-03-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402172608/http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/csio-to-release-telematics-data-standard-in-january/1002667809/ |archivedate=2015-04-02 }} and electronic signature,{{cite web |url=http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/electronic-signatures/1002930353/ |title=CSIO provides guidance on selecting electronic signatures solution |publisher=Canadianunderwriter.ca |date=2014-02-01 |accessdate=2015-03-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154813/http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/electronic-signatures/1002930353/ |archivedate=2015-04-02 }} that promise to enhance efficiencies in the broker distribution channel. For example, as part of its XML standards, CSIO released a telematics data standard in January 2014{{cite web |url=http://analysis.tu-auto.com/insurance-telematics/qa-csio-efforts-standardize-ubi-telematics-data-north-america |title=Q&A: CSIO on efforts to standardize UBI telematics data in North America | TU Automotive |publisher=Analysis.tu-auto.com |date=2014-03-25 |accessdate=2015-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124342/http://analysis.tu-auto.com/insurance-telematics/qa-csio-efforts-standardize-ubi-telematics-data-north-america |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=dead }} to facilitate the process of transferring driving data from an insurance customer's vehicle to an insurance company. CSIO worked together with the US insurance standards organization ACORD on the telematics initiative.
Regarding the electronic signature initiative, in the summer of 2014, CSIO developed and published the eSignatures Vendor Dashboard, a resource for insurance brokers to help them research and choose an e-signature software solution.{{buzzword-inline|date=April 2025}}{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150113005099/en/Ontario-Insurance-Brokers-Benefit-Partnership-e-SignLive%E2%84%A2-IBAO |title=Ontario Insurance Brokers to Benefit from New Partnership between e-SignLive™ and IBAO |publisher=Business Wire |date=2015-01-13 |accessdate=2015-03-09}}
CSIO has campaigned for the adoption of Transport Layer Security (TLS) among brokers and insurers in the Canadian property and casualty industry.{{cite web|url=http://www.csio.com/transport-layer-security-tls |title=CSIO - Transport Layer Security |publisher=CSIO |accessdate=2015-03-11}} In 2014, CSIO released its TLS Chart,{{cite web|url=http://www.insurance-canada.ca/distribution/canada/2014/CSIO-email-transport-layer-security-chart-1411.php |title=CSIO Launches TLS Email Security Chart |publisher=Insurance-Canada.ca |date=2014-11-05 |accessdate=2015-03-11}} showing that over 1,200 member brokerages across Canada use TLS.
CSIO has promoted the concept of the paperless office to Canadian brokerages. It developed the {{langr|mis|eDocs}} data standard in order to help brokers and insurance companies transition away from the printing and mailing of paper documents.{{cite web|url=http://www.csio.com/edocs |title=eDocs |publisher=CSIO |date= |accessdate=2015-03-09}} Various companies within the Canadian insurance industry support and have adopted the CSIO {{langr|mis|eDocs}} standard to make their workflows more paperless.{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/chubb-insurance-launches-edocs-1974711.htm |title=Chubb Insurance Launches eDocs |publisher=Marketwired.com |date=2014-12-08 |accessdate=2015-03-09}}{{cite web |url=http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/unica-insurance-receives-csio-edocs-certification/1003433605 |title=Unica Insurance receives CSIO eDocs certification |publisher=Canadianunderwriter.ca |date=2015-01-15 |accessdate=2015-03-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154015/http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/unica-insurance-receives-csio-edocs-certification/1003433605 |archivedate=2015-04-02 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9440362.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427023953/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9440362.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 27, 2015 |title=Applied Systems to Support Canadian eDocs |publisher=Prweb.com |date= |accessdate=2015-03-09}}{{cite web|url=http://www.insurance-canada.ca/distribution/canada/2014/CSIO-certification-eDocs-SGI-Canada-1410.php |title=SGI CANADA Obtains CSIO Certification for eDocs - Insurance Distribution - For Industry Professionals |publisher=Insurance-Canada.ca |date= |accessdate=2015-03-09}}{{cite web|url=http://www.insurancebusiness.ca/news/insurer-among-first-to-receive-csio-edocs-certification-176968.aspx |title=Insurer among first to receive CSIO eDocs certification |publisher=Insurancebusiness.ca |date=2014-03-16 |accessdate=2015-03-09}}
CSIO works to strengthen market share for the independent insurance agent network in Canada. Its members comprise all the provincial broker associations in Canada, including the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO).{{cite web|url=http://www.csio.com/csio-members |title=Members |publisher=CSIO |date=2014-08-18 |accessdate=2015-03-09}}
History
CSIO got its start in 1981 as a not-for profit organization focused on building efficiencies in the Canadian property and casualty insurance market.{{cite web|url=http://www.insurance-canada.ca/ebusiness/canada/2011/CSIO-Announces-Catherine-Smola-President-1112.php |title=Insurance Canada technology products services data standards: CSIOAnnounces Appointment of Catherine Smola as President |publisher=Insurance-canada.ca |date= |accessdate=2015-03-09}} Its initial focus was in standardizing the many proprietary forms and computer systems{{cite web|url=http://www.cu80years.com/articles-1983/#foobox-1/2/1983-aug-p11.jpg |title=Articles - 1983 - Canadian Underwriter 80 Years |publisher=Cu80years.com |date=2014-06-20 |accessdate=2015-03-09}} being used among brokers and insurance companies for their communications.
In 1997, the organization built CSIOnet{{cite web|url=http://www.insblogs.com/technology/z-codes-technical-name-bad-data/2690 |title=Z-Codes, a technical name for bad data |publisher=insBlogs |date=2014-10-02 |accessdate=2015-03-09}} to transmit data between insurance industry trading partners such as brokers and insurers. This network still serves as the Canadian P&C insurance industry's primary network for the distribution of EDI insurance policy data.{{cite web|url=http://www.csio.com/csionet |title=About CSIOnet |publisher=CSIO |date=2014-08-18 |accessdate=2015-03-09}}
In 1999, CSIO initiated a project to create an online portal based on SEMCI technology, enabling single sign-on for brokers and real-time transactions between brokers and insurers.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.ecoweek.ca/issues/ISarticle.asp?aid=1000146587 |title=Ecoweek - 3/8/2015 |publisher=ecoweek.ca |date=2007-02-16 |accessdate=2015-03-09}}{{cite web |url=http://www.insurance-canada.ca/distribution/canada/CSIOtest200109.php |title=CSIO Portal Announcements: Pilot Companies and Beginning Integration Testing |publisher=Insurance-canada.ca |date= |accessdate=2015-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402181812/http://www.insurance-canada.ca/distribution/canada/CSIOtest200109.php |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.insurance-journal.ca/2001/05/20/internet-portal-sparks-enthusiasm-and-scepticism/ |title=Internet Portal Sparks Enthusiasm and Skepticism |publisher=The Insurance and Investment Journal |date=2001-05-20 |accessdate=2015-03-09}}{{cite web |url=http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/illusion-or-reality-csio-portal-launch-looms/1000149924/ |title=Illusion or Reality? CSIO Portal Launch Looms |publisher=Canadianunderwriter.ca |date=2003-02-01 |accessdate=2015-03-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200149/http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/illusion-or-reality-csio-portal-launch-looms/1000149924/ |archivedate=2015-09-23 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.roughnotes.com/rnmagazine/2002/january02/01p94.htm |title=Sound Internet Solutions 01/02 |publisher=Roughnotes.com |date= |accessdate=2015-03-09}} The portal project was ultimately abandoned in 2006, after the industry spent approximately $15 million on the development effort.{{cite web |url=http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/technology-systems-vendors-out-of-the-gates/1000204536/ |title=Technology Systems Vendors Out of the Gates |publisher=Canadianunderwriter.ca |date=2006-06-01 |accessdate=2015-03-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402172237/http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/technology-systems-vendors-out-of-the-gates/1000204536/ |archivedate=2015-04-02 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.insurance-journal.ca/2006/01/19/csio-portal-abandoned-due-to-lack-of-insurer-support-and-availability-of-other-solutions/ |title=CSIO Portal Abandoned due to Lack of Insurer Support |publisher=The Insurance and Investment Journal |date=2006-01-19 |accessdate=2015-03-09}}{{cite web|url=http://www.insurancebusiness.ca/expert-advice/small-solutions-curing-big-headaches-173930.aspx |title=Small solutions curing big headaches |publisher=Insurancebusiness.ca |date=2013-05-05 |accessdate=2015-03-09}}{{cite web |url=http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/2006-i-t-focus-reality-check/1000202197/ |title=2006 I.T. FOCUS: Reality Check |publisher=Canadianunderwriter.ca |date=2006-02-01 |accessdate=2015-03-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402130915/http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/2006-i-t-focus-reality-check/1000202197/ |archivedate=2015-04-02 }}
In 2012, after brokers in the industry indicated a strong preference for standardized over proprietary technology solutions{{buzzword-inline|date=April 2025}},{{cite web |url=http://archive-org.com/page/552088/2012-10-29/http://www.ibao.org/news/latest-news/2012/07/27/march-22-2012-ontario-brokers-applaud-csio-announcement |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150310020418/http://archive-org.com/page/552088/2012-10-29/http://www.ibao.org/news/latest-news/2012/07/27/march-22-2012-ontario-brokers-applaud-csio-announcement |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-03-10 |title=Ontario Brokers Applaud CSIO Announcement |publisher=IBAO |date=2012-03-22 |accessdate=2015-03-09 }} CSIO released its XML {{langr|mis|eDocs}} data standard to deliver workflow efficiencies for brokers.{{cite web|url=http://www.insurance-canada.ca/ebusiness/canada/2012/CSIO-XML-eDocs-Standard-1203.php |title=CSIO XML eDocs Standard Released! |publisher=Insurance-canada.ca |date=2012-03-01 |accessdate=2015-03-09}}
In June 2017, CSIO announced plans to develop an industry-wide solution{{buzzword-inline|date=April 2025}} to deliver electronic proof of auto insurance to consumers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/inspress/csio-announces-industry-solution-digital-delivery-proof-auto-insurance-cards/|title=CSIO Announces Industry Solution for Digital Delivery of Proof of Auto Insurance Cards|last=Operations)-140|first=CSIO (Centre for Study of Insurance|date=2017-06-06|website=Canadian Underwriter|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-12}} The solution{{buzzword-inline|date=April 2025}}, called My Proof of Insurance, formally launched in February 2018, available to all members at no additional cost.{{Cite web|url=https://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/inspress/csio-announces-launch-proof-insurance-edelivery-solution/|title=CSIO Announces Launch of My Proof of Insurance eDelivery Solution|last=Operations)-140|first=CSIO (Centre for Study of Insurance|date=2018-02-21|website=Canadian Underwriter|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-12}}
References
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External links
- [http://www.csio.com www.csio.com]