Topic
Legal
Deeper Pool
February 1, 2015 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorAs Ottawa plans to increase the absolute liability on Canadian nuclear operators from $75 million to $1 billion, the association writing most of the coverage for operators is looking to deepen the pool by attracting new insurers in anticipation of more required capacity by the end of 2015.
Top 10 Insurance Decisions
January 31, 2015 Chris Dunn, partner; and Josiah MacQuarrie, associate, Dutton Brock LLP|Chris Dunn, partner; and Josiah MacQuarrie, associate, Dutton Brock LLPA review of the ten most important insurance coverage cases of 2014.
Ontario appeal court rules on discussions between defence lawyers and expert witnesses
January 30, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Court of Appeal for Ontario suggested this week that lawyers representing clients in lawsuits can discuss and review draft reports with expert witnesses and do not need to disclose all written communications. “While some judges have expressed concern that…
British Columbia auto insurer estimates more than 10% of claims have ‘element of fraud or exaggeration’
January 30, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Insurance Corporation of British Columbia announced Thursday its investigation units last year advanced 131 fraud-related charges to crown attorneys, noting that DNA evidence was used to prove an ICBC customer prohibited from driving was actually behind the wheel at…
BP subsidiary executive: No guarantee of help from parent company to pay penalty for oil spill
January 27, 2015 Kevin McGill, THE ASSOCIATED PRESSNEW ORLEANS – An executive for the BP subsidiary that faces billions of dollars in possible fines for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill testified Tuesday that it is uncertain whether other BP entities would step in to help…
New Ontario auto insurance dispute resolution system faces constitutional challenge
January 27, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterA Toronto-based personal injury lawyer is challenging, on constitutional grounds, an amendment to Ontario’s Insurance Act that changes the dispute resolution for auto insurance claims. Currently, when there is a dispute over an auto insurance claim, both the insurer and…
Little drone, big fears: White House incident occurs amid worries over UAVs
January 27, 2015 Alexander Panetta, THE CANADIAN PRESSWASHINGTON – A tiny drone that crashed on the White House lawn Monday struck a sensitive area – and not just in the geographic sense. There’s big concern about those small devices in the U.S. intelligence community. So when a man…
Changes that support permanent fixes to Ontario auto system needed
January 23, 2015 Angela Stelmakowich, EditorProgress on the Ontario insurance product will continue to stall out without changes to clarify injury definitions and to enhance transparency in the tort system, both of which are fuelling higher costs and hampering efforts to achieve government-mandated rate reductions,…
Marsh reacts to U.S. President Obama’s remarks on cyber security
January 22, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterMarsh & McLennan Companies Inc. issued this week a brief statement reacting to remarks by United States President Barack Obama on computer security vulnerabilities. “Marsh & McLennan Companies recognizes that cyber security is a race without a finish line,” the…
Potential economic benefit of driverless cars in Canada $65 billion annually
January 21, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterAutomated vehicles – or self-driving cars – could be on Canadian roads between 2020 and 2025, with the economic benefits being more than $65 billion per year, says a new report from the Conference Board of Canada. That benefit could…
Past, future effects of Gulf oil spill argued in BP trial; experts testifies they’re unclear
January 21, 2015 Kevin McGill, THE ASSOCIATED PRESSNEW ORLEANS – The 2010 BP oil spill’s long-term effects on Gulf of Mexico sea life and coastal marches remains uncertain, an environmental expert testified Wednesday as federal attorneys laid out their case for penalties against the oil corporation that…
Changes slow to come as Quebec town prepares to mark first anniversary of seniors’ home blaze
January 21, 2015 Sidhartha Banerjee, THE CANADIAN PRESSMONTREAL – A deep chill that recently fell over Quebec left Yves Desjardins uneasy as his thoughts turned to the tragic blaze one year ago that swept through a seniors’ home, killing 32 people. The winds and chilly temperatures were…