Topic
Construction
Proposal to end real estate bidding wars could affect P&C insurers
April 19, 2022 Philip PoradoCracking down on factors contributing to home-price escalation is a major component of the Apr. 7 federal budget document. If successful, they could affect insurers’ ability to control reconstruction costs and other claims impacts for their insureds. Proposed budget actions…
P&C industry’s input on coastal protection
April 6, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoNova Scotia community and industry stakeholders have shared their input on the Coastal Protection Act, and an Insurance Bureau of Canada representative says the financial case for supporting the act is clear. Passed in 2019, the legislation aims to restrict…
A new way for insurers to handle construction delays and cost overruns
March 17, 2022 Jonathan E. McNattySince 2016, the federal government’s slated nearly $100 billion to support development of transit extensions, shipping port improvements, affordable housing and more. When private-sector construction slowed in March 2020, federal infrastructure building quickly filled the gap. And, throughout 2021, both…
How inflation could prolong the hard market
February 25, 2022 by David GambrillInflation could prolong the hard market in Canada’s property and casualty lines, brokers caution. RMS Canada reports that inflation will hit 5% in 2022 before approaching 3% by the year’s end. “Persistent inflation is primarily due to supply constraints and…
Insurers lose privilege bid after mill’s internal explosion investigation
February 11, 2022 by David GambrillSix insurance companies and a pulp and paper manufacturing company, Fortress Specialty Cellulose, have lost their bid to have a PowerPoint presentation about the cause of a commercial explosion protected under litigation privilege. In rejecting their argument, the Superior Court…
Engineering or maintenance? Why both CGL and professional liability could cover this lawsuit
September 1, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA British Columbia court has ruled in favour of Northbridge General Insurance Corporation in a dispute with XL Specialty Insurance Company over liability coverage arising from a strata power failure. Both insurers wrote policies for PCA Valence Engineering Technologies Ltd.,…
Temple Insurance wins appeal in construction wrap-up dispute
July 12, 2021 by Greg MeckbachTemple Insurance Company has won its appeal of a 2020 Court of Queen’s Bench of Saskatchewan ruling in a disputed construction wrap-up liability claim. Temple now has to pay some (but not all) of the legal defence costs incurred by…
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…