Topic
Catastrophes
‘Fresh water’ flood coverage available Nov. 17 for new RSA Canada homeowner policies
November 12, 2015 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorStarting Nov. 17, Canadian insurance brokers will be able to offer policies covering fresh water flooding written by RSA Canada to some homeowners purchasing sewer backup coverage, a senior RSA Canada official said Thursday. A new RSA Canada endorsement, called…
Crews work to clear tracks after 2 train derailments, oil and chemical spills in Wisconsin
November 12, 2015 The Associated PressWATERTOWN, Wis. – Crews worked Monday to clear freight cars from rail tracks and contain spilled crude oil and chemicals after two trains derailed in Wisconsin about 200 miles apart over the weekend. More than a dozen cars of a…
Federal government issues storm surge warning for Quebec regions
November 12, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterFisheries and Oceans Canada and the Meteorological Service of Canada – Quebec Region have issued a joint statement warning of potential sea breaking conditions and coastal flooding for certain areas of Quebec. The storm surge warning, issued on Thursday morning,…
Flood Re’s regulations in U.K. now in effect
November 12, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterThe signing of Flood Re’s regulations in the United Kingdom means as many as a half million households in high flood risk areas have moved one step closer to affordable flood insurance and away from spiralling home insurance premiums. Following…
Environment Canada issues wind warnings for coastal B.C.; gusts up to 100 km/h expected
November 11, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterEnvironment Canada has issued wind warnings for Wednesday night for coastal and southern British Columbia. An alert from Environment Canada for the central coast said that a storm will approach the B.C. coast on Wednesday night, with strong southeast winds…
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…