Topic
Catastrophes
Optimism among SMEs highest in U.S.: Zurich survey
November 11, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterCompetition and a lack of consumer demand are top concerns among surveyed executives of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the United States, despite the group being relatively optimistic about future business opportunities, Zurich Insurance Group reports. Released Wednesday, results…
Alberta government puts plan to knock down flood damaged houses on hold
November 11, 2015 The Canadian PressCALGARY – The province of Alberta, which bought up 17 homes along the Elbow River that were damaged by 2013’s flooding, is now holding off on knocking them down as the new NDP government is reconsidering what to do with…
NASA, university track rain, snow to validate global satellite data that may improve forecasts
November 10, 2015 Phuong Le - THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEATTLE – Using everything from a customized DC-8 jetliner to ground radars to four-inch rain gauges, scientists are fanning out across one of the soggiest places in the United States this month to measure raindrops and snowflakes. Led by NASA…
Crawford records Q3 loss with $11 million in restructuring and special charges
November 10, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterClaims management provider Crawford & Company announced Monday it recorded a net loss of $1.087 million during the three months ending Sept. 30, amid restructuring charges, while revenues before reimbursements in Canada dropped nearly 20%. Worldwide, Atlanta-based Crawford reported revenue…
Alberta family wants talks on farm contaminated by oil and gas industry
November 9, 2015 Bob Weber - THE CANADIAN PRESSAn Alberta family whose farmland has been tainted by chemical contamination has asked the province’s energy regulator to force the responsible companies to negotiate compensation. “These are very solid facts upon which the regulator can demonstrate it does have the…
Wildland fire crews in Alberta battled nearly 1,800 fires during the 2015 season, third-highest number in 25 years
November 6, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterWildland fire crews in Alberta were called out to combat nearly 1,800 fires during the 2015 season, the third-highest number in the past 25 years, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry said on Friday. During the 2015 season, fire crews battled 1,786…
New report finds human-caused climate change increased the severity of many extreme events in 2014
November 6, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterHuman activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions and land use, influenced specific extreme weather and climate events in 2014, including flooding in the Canadian Prairie provinces, according to a new report released on Thursday. The report, titled Explaining Extreme Events…
2015 sees record number of Category 4 or 5 global tropical cyclones: Aon Benfield
November 5, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterA record number of global tropical cyclones that have reached Category 4 or 5 intensity have developed in the Northern Hemisphere this year, according to Impact Forecasting’s Global Catastrophe Recap report for October. Impact Forecasting, Aon Benfield’s catastrophe model development…
Munich Re sees profit fall to 525 million euros in 2015 Q3 from 736 million euros in 2014 Q3
November 5, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterMunich Re reports it is still on course for a good year despite a challenging environment that has contributed to the company posting a profit of 525 million euros for 2015 Q3 compared to 736 million euros in the same…
Richmond councillor says Vancouver Coastal Health ignoring earthquake danger
November 4, 2015 The Canadian PressRICHMOND, B.C. – A councillor in Richmond, B.C., says Vancouver Coastal Health has ignored studies about the safety of the city’s only hospital if a major earthquake occurs. Bill McNulty says studies conducted in 2005 and 2011 found Richmond Hospital…
Hannover Re posts Group net income of 786.0 million euros in 2015 Q3, up from 695.4 million euros in prior-year quarter
November 4, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterHannover Re reports being well on track for solid year-end financial results, announcing Wednesday that Group net income was 786.0 million euros in 2015 Q3, a 13% increase over the 695.4 million euros in the prior-year quarter. The already good…
Alberta premier says climate change key to progress on Keystone pipeline
November 3, 2015 The Canadian PressEDMONTON – Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says progress on addressing climate change is the key to getting pipelines built. She made the comment a day after TransCanada Corp. asked the U.S. government to put a hold on the company’s permit…