Topic
Restoration
Coverage dispute arises as to whether construction exclusion applies to building under renovation
May 13, 2021 by Greg MeckbachEditor’s Note: In an earlier version of this story, Canadian Underwriter incorrectly reported that Intact was denied leave to appeal an earlier court finding that a building renovation does not necessarily trigger an “under-construction” exclusion. In fact, the Court of…
Tribunal quashes small claim from owner of water-damaged strata unit
April 29, 2021 by Greg MeckbachYour client owns a strata apartment in a high-rise. Water starts coming in from the ceiling from the unit above. The night security guard visits the higher of the two units but neither the occupant nor the security guard can…
What courts say about vacancy exclusion when elderly homeowner client moves to a care home
April 27, 2021 by Greg MeckbachAn elderly homeowner’s health takes a turn for the worse, necessitating a move into a care home. The client still owns her original home, which suffers water damage. The insurer denies the claim on the grounds that the property is…
Insurers seek federal grants for homeowners to improve basement flood protection
April 21, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe industry is pushing to make federal grants available for Canadian homeowners to reduce basement flood risk. In the fall of 2020, the federal government announced its Greener Homes initiative. When the program rolls out, the plan is to provide…
What the court said when property owners refused to submit a Final Proof of Loss
April 20, 2021 by David GambrillWestland Insurance Company was within its rights to assume a contentious, two-year insurance claim had been resolved when two Victoria, B.C., property owners refused to submit a “Final Proof of Loss” form that had been filled out for them to…
Client dogged by $1,277 uninsured water damage remediation bill
April 14, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA British Columbia client who runs a dog kennel business out of her home is liable for some water damage remediation costs that her insurer did not cover because they relate to business and not personal use of the property.…
Property restoration space has ‘big capacity’ issue: Brindamour
February 19, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIntact Financial Corp. is aiming to build capacity in what CEO Charles Brindamour calls the “super-fragmented” restoration contractor industry. “Our thought process with On Side [Restoration] is very much consistent with what we tried to do with BrokerLink a decade…
What’s making it harder to estimate property Cat claims
February 17, 2021 by Greg MeckbachRecent price increases in building materials means it is harder than normal to predict the cost of repairing property damage, restoration experts say. Restoration contractor Peak Services handled several thousand claims after the June 13, 2020, record hail storm in…
One knock-off effect of rising condo deductibles
February 16, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA large increase in deductibles on condo corporations’ insurance is starting to put pressure on individual condo owners’ premiums, a new report from LowestRates.ca shows. “When a deductible goes up – say from $20,000 a year to $100,000, or $200,000…
How COVID-19 has affected repair of vehicles from hail
February 12, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe COVID-19 pandemic has created some barriers to repairing vehicle and property damage – including a shortage of auto body parts, and a labour shortage impacted by Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) recipients who are reluctant to return to work,…
Missing signature takes homeowner off the hook for paying restoration service bill
January 4, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA restoration firm dispatched by an insurer to respond to water damage at a British Columbia strata unit cannot collect the nearly $1,400 the contractor says the client owes for emergency services. This is the result of a recent British…
Why the court found the landlord responsible for this winter roof collapse
October 13, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA courier firm has successfully sued its landlord for $188,000 after the roof of its Halifax area warehouse collapsed under the weight of snow and ice. In Transport Canpar L.P. v. 3258042 Nova Scotia Limited, released Oct. 8, Justice Richard…