Topic
Markets / Coverages
Will powerful Alberta tornado be declared a Cat?
July 7, 2023 by Jason ContantA powerful Canada Day tornado that swept through a section of rural Alberta likely won’t result in much insured damage despite strong winds that reached an estimated 275 km/h. The EF4 tornado tore through an area south of Didsbury, Alta.…
Why auto insurers are more likely to declare cars totalled
July 7, 2023 Philip PoradoIs that car worth repairing? Given ongoing supply chain disruption and high inflation rates, the answer for insurers may increasingly be ‘no.’ “We see significant increases in rental costs,” said Kumar Siva, senior vice president for third party administration services…
How consolidation is changing broker-insurer relationships
July 7, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoBrokerage consolidation is changing how insurers interact with their broker partners, panellists said during the Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. (IBABC) AGM and Leader’s Conference in Whistler, B.C., last week. The impact of consolidation is most acute for insurers who…
Record-breaking wildfire season will continue to burn hot for months: officials
July 6, 2023 The Canadian PressOTTAWA – Natural Resources Canada says the country’s record-breaking wildfire season will continue to be abnormally intense throughout July and into August. The projections are based on anticipated high temperatures, dry conditions and historical comparisons. The risk is expected to…
Is it possible for MGAs to become too mainstream?
July 5, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWhile Managing General Agents (MGAs) say their firms are here to stay, their competitors are discussing whether the specialty underwriting market is oversaturated. The topic arose in response to an audience question about whether the industry acknowledges the role MGAs…
Brokers, insurers differ on the value of numerous flood products for home owners
July 4, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoCanada’s property and casualty insurance brokers have long maintained the need for a unified flood map, but insurers want to compete on their proprietary flood maps, and the ongoing differences between brokers and their insurance partners on this point became…
Two insurance agencies rebrand as belairdirect
July 4, 2023 by Jason ContantIntact Financial Corporation subsidiary belairdirect has announced that agencies Johnson Insurance and Anthony Insurance will both rebrand as belairdirect. Beginning this fall, the car and home division of Johnson Insurance will gradually rebrand to belairdirect, with the group benefits and…
How automation is helping brokerages onboard new talent
June 30, 2023 by Jason ContantOnboarding new insurance employees remains a major pain point for brokerages, but digital technology is making that process easier, attendees to a recent Canadian Underwriter webinar heard. Automation can help brokerages with marketing, business growth, sales transactions, and to connect…
B.C. must urgently change forest strategies or face more wildfire disasters: report
June 30, 2023 Dirk Meissner - THE CANADIAN PRESSVICTORIA – British Columbia’s independent forests watchdog is calling for the provincial government to make critical changes to how it manages forests to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The report, released Thursday by the B.C. Forest Practices Board, says…
What the court said about a condo owner using his unit for Airbnb
June 29, 2023 by Jason ContantBritish Columbia’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ordered a strata corporation to direct one of its council members to stop using a unit for short-term accommodations (STAs) after finding the council member violated a strata bylaw. The case centred around Bylaw…
Large Canadian brokerage now operating coast to coast
June 28, 2023 by Jason ContantEditor’s Note: An original version of this article incorrectly identified Western Financial Group as Westland. Canadian Underwriter apologizes for the error. Western Financial Group now operates coast to coast following its full acquisition of Huestis Insurance and Associates Ltd.…
Suncor cyberattack likely to cost company millions of dollars, expert says
June 28, 2023 Amanda Stephenson - THE CANADIAN PRESSCALGARY – The systems breach at Suncor Energy Inc. will likely cost the company millions of dollars before it is able to resolve the issue, according to a cybersecurity expert. Jon Ferguson, general manager of cybersecurity at the Canadian Internet…