Topic
Legal
Less than 10% of Canadian executives use fraud detection software: SAS
December 20, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterA vast majority (83%) of Canadian executives said fraud prevention and detection is a priority for their organizations, but only 9% of those surveyed said they have business analytics software designed to help detect fraud running all the time, according…
Law Society of B.C. expands lawyers’ professional indemnity coverage to respond to “bad cheque” scams
December 20, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Law Society of B.C. (LSBC) has broadened the scope of lawyers’ professional indemnity coverage to respond to trust fund shortfalls resulting from various forms of “bad cheque” scams.Typically, the scams involve between $200,000 and $350,000, with one matrimonial scam…
FSCO introduces two new processes to expedite mediation backlog
December 19, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Financial Securities Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has introduced two expedited processes in mediation in an attempt to ease the backlog that has formed. In its December 2011 newsletter, FSCO describes the two new processes: •Consent failures (the option to…
Alberta Court of Appeal finds policy endorsement in underinsured motorist case trumps 10-year limitation period in Limitations Act
December 16, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterAlberta’s Court of Appeal has allowed a plaintiff to sue his own insurer with respect to an underinsured motorist case more than 10 years after the accident occurred, ruling that a contractual clause in the plaintiff’s policy endorsement trumped a…
RCMP investigates link between data breach at ICBC and series of arsons and shootings
December 15, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterThe RCMP has linked a data breach at the ICBC with a series of arsons and shootings since September 2011 that have targeted approximately 13 people linked to the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC).No one has been physically harmed…
Facebook photos found relevant to an auto accident injury case, but not status updates or wall posts
December 14, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterPhotos posted to a plaintiff’s Facebook and MySpace pages are relevant to litigation surrounding his motor vehicle accident injuries, but Facebook status updates and postings to other people’s walls do not necessarily meet the relevance test, the Ontario Superior Court…
Manitoba Public Utilities Board calls for 8% premium decrease for basic auto insurance premiums
December 13, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Manitoba Public Utilities Board (PUB) has ordered Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) to reduce its overall basic premiums and fees by 8%.PUB further approved MPI’s application for enhanced fleet rebates and increased drivers’ premiums for those at the top of…
New Brunswick’s Appeal Court considers (twice) an insurer’s quest for RCMP documents in a home fire case
December 8, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterNew Brunswick’s Court of Appeal has now been consulted twice about a case in which State Farm is seeking production of RCMP documents in a home fire case.State Farm says the RCMP notes it is seeking are relevant in determining…
Auditor general’s report puts Ontario auto insurance in the political spotlight
December 6, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterOntario’s auto insurance system came under the microscope in the provincial auditor’s annual report for 2011, and the result has been the politicization of the province’s 2010 auto insurance reforms.At the heart of the discussion is the auditor’s observation that…
Ontario Anti-Fraud Task Force interim report suggests working groups look into licensing health-care clinics, creating dedicated fraud investigation unit
December 2, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterThe steering committee of the Ontario Auto Insurance Anti-Fraud Task Force has asked its working groups to consider the licensing and regulation of health-care clinics, plug current gaps in regulation (such as the introduction of a regulatory regime for tow…
New Brunswick draft regulation proposes to ban credit scoring in residential and auto insurance lines
December 2, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterNew Brunswick’s department of justice has posted draft regulations for public consultation that would ban credit scoring in residential property and auto insurance lines. In addition, the draft regulations would not allow insurers to decline to issue, refuse to renew…
Court finds portion of B.C.’s new drinking and driving law to be unconstitutional
December 1, 2011 by Canadian UnderwriterB.C.’s new tough drinking and driving law, in effect for a year, has just hit its first roadblock, with a significant section of the law – an automatic 90-day license suspension based on roadside blood alcohol tests of .08 mg…