Topic
Construction
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…
How to help construction clients who are no longer deemed “essential services”
April 6, 2020 by Adam MalikOntario brokers can expect to receive calls from their clients in the province’s construction industry, some of whom were recently de-listed from the province’s essential services list. Under pressure to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario, the province recently…
How COVID-19 impacts surety bond placement
March 26, 2020 by Greg MeckbachPlacing surety bonds has become more challenging with the social distancing precautions underway with the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is possible to do this electronically, says an association representing insurers who write surety bonds. Surety bonds can now be placed…
Unfinished business
January 5, 2020 By Kevin Shipley, Partner, XCG Consulting LimitedWhy a winter construction fire should give underwriters pause before covering the risk of unfinished buildings
Why brokers need to change cyber talking points for each client
December 6, 2019 by Jason ContantBrokers need to focus their cyber insurance selling efforts on more than just traditional privacy risks and tailor them to specific industries, a specialist insurer said Wednesday. “Cyber is about way more than just privacy and if you explain to…