Topic
Commercial Lines
Fierce blaze damages several businesses, forces evacuation in B.C. city
July 4, 2023 The Canadian PressVERNON, B.C. – A restaurant, boutique, salon and costume shop are among the businesses believed to have been destroyed in an early morning fire in downtown Vernon, B.C. Flames broke out in the commercial building at about 2:30 a.m., blanketing…
What the court said about a condo owner using his unit for Airbnb
June 29, 2023 by Jason ContantBritish Columbia’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ordered a strata corporation to direct one of its council members to stop using a unit for short-term accommodations (STAs) after finding the council member violated a strata bylaw. The case centred around Bylaw…
Who’s at fault when AI’s driving a cargo ship?
June 29, 2023 Philip PoradoIt’s 2035 and a maritime court has convened to determine who’s at fault when a seagoing vessel made an error in passage planning – a safety exercise that maps a voyage from start to finish, including harbour navigation and docking.…
Large Canadian brokerage now operating coast to coast
June 28, 2023 by Jason ContantEditor’s Note: An original version of this article incorrectly identified Western Financial Group as Westland. Canadian Underwriter apologizes for the error. Western Financial Group now operates coast to coast following its full acquisition of Huestis Insurance and Associates Ltd.…
Suncor cyberattack likely to cost company millions of dollars, expert says
June 28, 2023 Amanda Stephenson - THE CANADIAN PRESSCALGARY – The systems breach at Suncor Energy Inc. will likely cost the company millions of dollars before it is able to resolve the issue, according to a cybersecurity expert. Jon Ferguson, general manager of cybersecurity at the Canadian Internet…
Despite easing inflation, P&C insurers face challenges
June 27, 2023 Philip PoradoCanada’s May inflation rate slipped to an annualized 3.4%, Statistics Canada said Tuesday. That’s the lowest rate in two years and solidly below the 4.4% annual rate posted in April. It’s also in line with the Bank of Canada’s efforts…
Suncor Energy suffers cybersecurity incident
June 26, 2023 Amanda Stephenson - THE CANADIAN PRESSCALGARY – Canadian oil company Suncor Energy Inc. has confirmed it has been the victim of a cyberattack. The Calgary-based energy giant said in a news release late Sunday that it has “experienced a cyber-security incident.” Suncor provided no further…
How this firm hires mostly 20-somethings
June 26, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWhile much of the P&C insurance industry is seeing large-scale attrition as industry veterans near retirement, one specialty underwriting firm has built a team comprised mostly of employees in their mid- to-late twenties. For TruStar Underwriting, a specialty Managing General…
Court result suggests confusion about MGAs and insurers
June 23, 2023 by David GambrillManaging general agent (MGA) Can-Sure Underwriting failed to quash a motion to correct a misnomer in a flood damage claim, arguing the claimant incorrectly identified the MGA as an insurer. Ontario’s Superior Court also rejected Can-Sure’s argument that the claimant,…
How trade agreements could change claims adjusting in Canada
June 20, 2023 Alyssa Di SabatinoWhen a NatCat occurs in Canada, it’s common for U.S. adjusters to be on the scene — sometimes before Canadian adjusters, who are bound by provincial licensing restrictions. And while processes for getting either country’s adjusters on the scene are…
How commercial brokers have evolved into holistic risk advisors
June 20, 2023 David GambrillWith insurance underwriters now voicing preference for ‘best-in-class’ commercial risks, it’s fallen to brokers to educate their clients about how to reduce their losses. And that means commercial brokers are becoming more like holistic risk advisors, making recommendations to their…
Did the court jump the gun on allowing a negligence claim against a brokerage?
June 16, 2023 by David GambrillA brokerage has been added as a defendant in a sideline negligence claim, even though the central legal action for breach of contract involving two other parties (including a defendant reinsurer) has yet to be decided. Ontario’s Superior Court applied…