Topic
Construction
Global insurance law firm expands its Canadian presence
June 23, 2021 by David GambrillGlobal insurance law firm Clyde & Co will be entering the B.C. market through a merger with SHK Law Corporation in B.C., effective July 1. The terms of the merger were not disclosed. B.C.’s property and casualty insurance market is…
A drastic (but effective) way to keep water out of the basement
June 2, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA foundation membrane could cost a homeowner client $15,000, and it is probably not something your clients should try installing themselves, but it is “often the most effective method” of waterproofing a basement, a Bobvila.com author suggests. A foundation membrane…
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…
What can go wrong when do-it-yourself clients try to replace home water heaters
January 19, 2021 by Greg MeckbachSome homeowner clients could get in trouble if they try to replace water heaters themselves, by following do-it-yourself handyman advice they find somewhere on the Internet. Many home insurance policies specifically require that water heater installation be done by a…
Undisputed Neutrality
December 9, 2020 Adam Malik, Managing EditorIn a world where insurers are amalgamating claims service offerings, third-party forensic engineers can bring to the table a neutral, unbiased perspective that is void of any potential for a conflict of interest, says Chris Giffin, chief executive officer of Haag Canada.
Industry execs to discuss how to navigate the condo insurance market
October 23, 2020 by David GambrillSelling and underwriting condo insurance these days is a tough gig, but the property and casualty insurance industry is no stranger to tough market cycles. Mainstream media are filled with stories about condo corporations seeing their premiums and deductibles increase,…
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…
Appeal court dismisses lawsuit against Economical over additional insured endorsement
October 5, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA solar energy developer has lost its appeal against Economical in a commercial coverage dispute regarding an additional insured, in which the policy wording referred to “liability arising out of the operations” of the insured. “Contractual insurance obligations and additional…
Adjusting Calgary’s hailstorm: The rationale for bringing in U.S. Cat adjusters
August 28, 2020 by Greg MeckbachDuring the hail storm this past June that damaged tens of thousands of Alberta homes, adjusting firm CRU Group struggled to find enough qualified independent catastrophe adjusters in Canada, and wound up resorting to bringing in people from the United…
Briefing Note: Manitoba
July 5, 2020 Canadian Underwriter StaffResidential real estate and construction have been hit with rate increases ranging from 8% to 650% this year in Manitoba, says Colin Matchyuk, a commercial account executive at HUB International’s Winnipeg office. That’s because apartment buildings built within 150 feet…
How Ontario is responding to surety writers’ COVID-19 concern
April 14, 2020 by Greg MeckbachConcerns from surety bond providers have prompted the Ontario government to make one change, effective this Thursday, to the state of emergency during the pandemic. As it stands, an emergency order suspending limitations means liens against construction projects technically never…