Topic
Legislation / Regulation
Volkswagen engineer gets prison, $200,000 fine in diesel scandal
August 25, 2017 The Associated PressDETROIT – A Volkswagen engineer who had a key role in the company’s diesel emissions scandal was sentenced Friday to more than three years in prison and a $200,000 fine, a steeper punishment than prosecutors requested. Robert Liang, 63, knew the German automaker was cheating and worked to cover it up, U.S. District Court Judge Sean Cox said during the sentencing hearing in Detroit. The judge imposed a 40-month prison sentence.
“The conspiracy perpetrated a massive … and stunning fraud on the American consumer that attacked and destroyed…
Making ICBC a co-op one option for B.C., competition must be part of any option selected: taxpayers federation
August 25, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe British Columbia government has options at its disposal to address auto insurance problems in the province – ranging from leaving the Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC) to shuttering the insurer – but all should include reintroduction of competition, concludes a new report commissioned by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF). CTF argues that “fast and furious changes” are needed in light of the “looming 30% hike to car insurance,” a figure noted in an Ernst & Young LLP (E&Y) report made public last month. Among its many observations, the…
Insurer can dispute conviction of driving without insurance in accident benefits priority dispute
August 24, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterFederated Insurance Company of Canada is allowed to bring forth arguments – in an Ontario auto accident benefits priority dispute with Intact Insurance Company – that a motorist convicted of driving without insurance was nevertheless insured by Intact, now that the Supreme Court of Canada has denied Intact leave to appeal.
Court records indicate that in early 2010, Patrick Cadieux had his vehicle insured by Intact. But his premium payment for February, 2010 was returned due to non-sufficient funds, Justice James Diamond of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice noted…
Worldwide spending on IT security products and services to reach US$86.4 billion in 2017: Gartner
August 22, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterWorldwide spending on information technology security products and services will reach US$86.4 billion in 2017, an increase of 7% over 2016, according to the latest forecast from Gartner, Inc.
Spending is expected to continue its growth to US$93 billion in 2018, the Stamford, Conn.-based research and advisory company said in a press release last week.
Within the infrastructure protection segment, Gartner forecasts fast growth in the security testing market (albeit from a small base) due to continued data breaches and growing demands for application security testing as part of…
B.C. Green Party leader to re-introduce ridesharing legislation in the fall
August 22, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe leader of the BC Green Party said on Monday that he will re-introduce legislation this fall to enable ridesharing in the province.
Andrew Weaver said in a press release that he has twice introduced the Ridesharing Enabling Act, once in April 2016 and again in February 2017.
“All parties want to see B.C. be a leader in the emerging economy,” Weaver said in the release. “To do so, government must take a proactive, responsive approach that considers the wide ranging impacts of technological innovation. Vancouver is the largest…
Alberta considering changes to impaired driving legislation
August 21, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Government of Alberta has announced that it will “look at implementing changes” to impaired driving legislation in the province following a recent Court of Appeal of Alberta decision. On May 18, 2017, the Court of Appeal ruled that part…
Canadian inflation perks up for first time since January, hits 1.2% in July
August 18, 2017 Andy Blatchford - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – Inflation picked up its pace last month for the first time since January as the annualized rate accelerated to 1.2 per cent, Statistics Canada said Friday. The latest inflation number increased from its June reading of one per…
Supreme Court ruling against electronics firm director raises concern of increasing exposure of individuals to oppression remedy claims
August 17, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterA ruling last month by the Supreme Court of Canada means it will be more difficult for corporate directors to have oppression remedy lawsuits against them summarily dismissed by courts, a lawyer suggested Wednesday in a blog post. The decision…
RIMS calls for reauthorization of National Flood Insurance Program, warns of consequences of expiration
August 16, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterRIMS, the risk management society, is calling on its U.S. membership of risk management and insurance professionals to support its push for the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). “The program’s expiration on September 30, 2017 would leave…
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador finalizes terms of reference for auto insurance review
August 16, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe provincial government announced on Tuesday that it has finalized the terms of reference for the automobile insurance review for Service NL and the provincial Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities (PUB). Government has directed PUB to begin its review…
Modern-day Hurricane Andrew would cost an estimated US$80-100 billion in economic damage compared to 1992’s US$26.5 billion: Swiss Re
August 9, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterA modern-day Hurricane Andrew would cost an estimated US$80-100 billion in economic damage, up dramatically from the US$26.5 billion cost in 1992 dollars, according to a new report from Swiss Re. The hurricane in August 1992 destroyed more than 25,000…
Insurers should ensure consumers are ‘better able to understand’ home insurance policies: CCIR
August 9, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterIn a paper released Wednesday, Canada’s insurance regulators’ association suggests that insurers need to better educate consumers so they can understand the terms – including limitations, exclusions and deductibles – of their property insurance contracts, while sharing aggregated property risk…