Canadian Underwriter

Topic
Catastrophes


dramatic lightning thundertbolt bolt strike in daylight rural surrounding bad weather dark sky
News CatastrophesClaimsClimate ChangeInsurance

Where 2023 Cat losses stand after summer storms

September 20, 2023 by David Gambrill

Summer storms in Alberta and the Prairies caused more than $300 million in insured losses, bringing the cumulative total of Cat losses to date in Canada to more than $2 billion — with another financial quarter to go in 2023.

Commercial real estate for lease or sale
News BrokersCatastrophesClaimsClaims CanadaClimate ChangeCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesReinsurance

What’s driving challenges in commercial property?

September 19, 2023 by Jason Contant

Challenges in the Canadian commercial property insurance market continue to be a focal point throughout 2023, primarily driven by NatCat concerns and reinsurance costs, Aon said in its Fall 2023 Insurance Market Update Canada report. “The property market continues to

A firefighter using firefighting foam to spray a wrecked car on the side of the road
News BrokersCatastrophesClaimsClimate ChangeCommercial LinesInsuranceRisk

Forever chemicals: Is PFAS litigation coming to Canada?

September 19, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are the subject of a rising number of lawsuits in the U.S., and the industry can expect litigation to seep into Canada, says a risk professional.   Also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ PFAS are a

A downed tree is shown in a yard in Fredericton, N.B. during hurricane-turned post tropical storm Lee
News CatastrophesClaimsClimate ChangeInsurance

Will Hurricane Lee cost as much as Fiona?

September 18, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Damage stemming from Hurricane Lee won’t be as major as last September’s Hurricane Fiona, insurance experts tell Canadian Underwriter.   “At more than $800 million in insured damage, Hurricane Fiona goes down as the costliest natural hazard-related insured loss event

Aerial shot of Miami South Beach full of hotels with some long shadows reaching into the sea. Florida, USA.
News CatastrophesClaimsClimate ChangeConstructionInsurance

Climate change not the leading cause of NatCat losses: Verisk

September 15, 2023 by David Gambrill

Although climate change is frequently cited as the Number 1 reason for higher natural catastrophes (NatCat) losses, increases in property exposure and repair costs are more significant short-term factors, according to a new report by Verisk Analytics. “Climate change is

Hurricane Lee approaches Atlantic Canada. Satellite image
News CatastrophesClaimsClimate ChangeInsurance

Lee update: Where the damage is likely to happen

September 14, 2023 by David Gambrill

New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are bracing for flooding and high winds as Hurricane Lee approaches landfall in Atlantic Canada as a Category 1 storm. Currently showing wind speeds of 155 km/h, Lee is expected to become a strong tropical

Repairs being made to the Sumas River dike following flooding in November 2021
News CatastrophesClaimsClaims CanadaInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Province aware of dike problems before destructive flooding in 2021, documents show

September 13, 2023 Brenna Owen - THE CANADIAN PRESS

Officials with the British Columbia government and the City of Merritt were aware of significant problems with dikes for several years before a series of atmospheric rivers flooded the community, documents released through a freedom of information request show. The

Satellite image of Hurricane Lee
News CatastrophesClaimsClaims CanadaClimate ChangeInsurance

What to expect if Lee makes landfall in the Maritimes

September 12, 2023 by David Gambrill

It’s increasingly likely Hurricane Lee will make landfall in Atlantic Canada this weekend as either a strong tropical storm or a weak Category 1 hurricane. The Canadian Hurricane Centre and AccuWeather report they are increasingly confident Hurricane Lee will hit

Flooding in Nova Scotia in July 2023
News CatastrophesClaimsClaims CanadaConstructionInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Government won’t commit to buying out homes ravaged by recent N.S. flooding

September 8, 2023 The Canadian Press

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s housing minister says any request for the province to buy homes damaged in a Halifax suburb in flooding last July would have to come from the municipality. John Lohr says while he’s not prepared to say

Hurricane Fiona Cloud Map Nova Scotia 3D Render Color
News CatastrophesClaimsClaims CanadaClimate ChangeInsuranceReinsuranceRisk

Hurricane Lee: Why the Canadian P&C industry is watching

September 7, 2023 by David Gambrill

Hurricane Lee is strengthening into a powerhouse Category 5 storm, and some preliminary scenarios suggest it could hit Atlantic Canada as a tropical storm sometime next week, AccuWeather is forecasting. “Lee poses a risk to people from the northern Caribbean

A volunteer directing traffic in Yellowknife
News AdjustersCatastrophesClaimsClaims CanadaCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Adjusters provide update on B.C., N.W.T. wildfires

September 6, 2023 by Jason Contant

Wildfires in British Columbia and Northwest Territories continue to present a mixed bag of claims for P&C adjusters. Claims adjusters are seeing a variety of both residential and commercial losses. “Major loss, total losses and less severe claims as well,”

Wind, sun and water energy
News CatastrophesClimate ChangeInsuranceRiskTechnology

Canada ‘trailing partners’ on securing vital utilities and services: internal memo

September 5, 2023 Jim Bronskill - THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA – A newly released federal memo concedes Canada is “trailing key international partners” who have updated their approaches to securing vital utilities and services from a growing array of risks. The Public Safety Canada memo says “new and rapidly