Topic
Catastrophes
How much insurers can expect to pay for Canadian wildfires
August 23, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoCanadian insurers could see between $700 million and $1.5 billion in insured losses from this summer’s wildfire season, DBRS Morningstar predicts in new commentary. Despite the high loss figures, the claims incurred in 2023 Q3’s wildfire season will be manageable…
Yellowknife mayor says it’s too unsafe for residents to return to the capital city
August 23, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoYELLOWKNIFE — The mayor of Yellowknife says it’s not safe for residents to go home to the territorial capital, but notes city officials are working on a return plan as a fire continues to burn about 15 kilometres away. Most…
How wildfires are affecting some of Canada’s largest P&C insurers
August 22, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoDespite facing a heavy loss year and an unusually active wildfire season, four of Canada’s publicly traded P&C companies — Intact Financial Corporation, Fairfax Financial Holdings, Definity Financial Corporation and Trisura Group Ltd. — reported positive underwriting profits thus far,…
Almost 60 buildings lost to wildfire in Kelowna, B.C., area, fire chiefs say
August 22, 2023 Dirk Meissner The Canadian PressA West Kelowna man says he is still in shock after the wildfire tearing through the region burned down his condo and forced him and his eight-months-pregnant wife to evacuate twice in one night. Randy Miskuski said his family had…
Update on Yellowknife wildfire
August 21, 2023 The Canadian PressYELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T – Firefighters battling a wildfire near the capital of the Northwest Territories shifted from defence to offence Monday after a weekend of cooler temperatures, favourable winds and some rain. “We’re in a position to move to direct attack…
What’s trending in auto loss combined ratios
August 16, 2023 Philip PoradoSome Canadian auto insurers may be experiencing fewer losses than their U.S. counterparts, a new report from ratings agency Fitch suggested. A mid-year review of U.S. personal auto segment results, based on filings for nine public company insurers that report…
Thunderstorms now a primary concern for insurers
August 10, 2023 by David GambrillDamage from secondary perils such as thunderstorms in the first half of 2023 is of primary concern to reinsurers. A series of widespread thunderstorms hitting the U.S. accounted for 68% of global insured natural catastrophe losses in the first half…
What’s driving Intact’s high personal property combined ratio?
August 3, 2023 by Jason ContantIntact Financial Corporation (IFC) saw an elevated combined ratio (undiscounted) of 119.2% in its Canadian personal property segment in 2023 Q2, driven in part by twice the expected level of Cat losses. The 119.2% combined ratio in Intact’s personal property…
What’s the future for Canada’s reinsurance rates?
August 2, 2023 Alyssa Di SabatinoNew risks emerging in Canada are leading reinsurers to increase premiums, industry experts have told Canadian Underwriter. Although U.S. damage losses last year far outweighed Canada’s, contributing significantly to escalating reinsurance prices, insured NatCat damage in Canada in 2022 was…
‘Complacency’ blamed for N.S. struggles with flooding, other climate disasters
August 1, 2023 Michael Tutton - THE CANADIAN PRESSHALIFAX – On the night floodwaters swept through his Nova Scotia county, taking lives and tearing out bridges, Doug Pynch says he had trouble believing an emergency alert that flashed across his phone. It called for residents to evacuate to…
What it would take for Osoyoos wildfires to become a Cat
August 1, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWinds diverting a wildfire burning near Osoyoos, B.C., may have prevented a Cat-level event for the industry, adjusters tell Canadian Underwriter. A raging wildfire scorched 40 square kilometres of land and destroyed several structures in Washington, U.S., before jumping the…
How the Nova Scotia floods compare to Hurricane Fiona
July 28, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoRecent flooding in Nova Scotia has led adjusters to see damages comparable to Hurricane Fiona, but final claims totals aren’t expected to be as high as when Fiona blew through the East Coast last September, claims professionals on the ground…