Topic
Risk
Forget data: The case for going with your gut instinct
June 8, 2021 by David GambrillData analysis may be held up as the gold standard for making sound business decisions. But a recent study suggests gut instinct — when backed up by simple decision aids — may actually be better in situations of high uncertainty.…
How P&C insurers are using their muscle to reduce carbon
June 2, 2021 by David GambrillGlobal P&C insurers are not only setting ambitious carbon reduction targets for themselves, but they are also using their investment clout to restrict cover for high polluters in the oil and gas sectors, a commentary released by DBRS Morningstar Wednesday…
A drastic (but effective) way to keep water out of the basement
June 2, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA foundation membrane could cost a homeowner client $15,000, and it is probably not something your clients should try installing themselves, but it is “often the most effective method” of waterproofing a basement, a Bobvila.com author suggests. A foundation membrane…
Are your condo clients covered for ‘special assessment’ costs?
June 2, 2021 by David GambrillIn an age when a condo corporation’s insurance may not provide enough coverage for an insured loss, brokers can help their clients by advising condo unit owners about the merits of special assessment insurance, one lawyer suggests. “It is important…
Should insurers (and others) be banned from making cyber ransom payments?
May 30, 2021 by David GambrillEditor’s Note: A previous verison of this article incorrectly stated that a cyberattack against AXA had happened after AXA’s announcement that it was suspecnding insurance coverage in France for ransomeware extortion payments. In fact, as per a Financial Times report…
Pollution coverage gaps your clients may not know about
May 21, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe cost of cleaning up after spills of petroleum, oil, or other contaminants may not be covered under your client’s liability or property policy, a managing general agent warns. Many clients are exposed to pollution risk but are not necessarily…
How these auto reforms could reduce liability exposure for hospitality clients
May 10, 2021 by David GambrillB.C.’s move towards a form of no-fault auto insurance could wind up reducing liability exposure for commercial insureds in the hospitality and other high-risk sectors, according to a recent blog by Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. The province’s no-fault amendments came…
When humans team up with machines, P&C innovation wins
May 4, 2021 by David GambrillDebates about whether humans or computers are at the centre of innovative insurance products are a red herring — the best way to build an insurance product is an integrated approach using the best of what humans and machines have…
Small business clients are making these cyber security errors
April 16, 2021 by Greg MeckbachFailure to install patch updates, relying too much on passwords, and failure to train employees are three sources of cyber security losses all too common among small business clients, a technology vendor suggests. One of the most common cyber security…
The ‘unfair advantages’ in commercial auto
April 13, 2021 by Greg MeckbachNew commercial auto clients may suffer an unfair disadvantage if they operate small truck fleets, an Ontario broker suggests. In Ontario, individual truck drivers who decide to start their own trucking firm may have no option but to have their…
The quaint ‘killer app’ that helps brokers talk to underwriters remotely
April 13, 2021 by Greg MeckbachNot all meetings during a pandemic need to be structured around a videoconference call, commercial insurance experts said during a recent webinar. “I think we all have to be cautious about just loading up our entire agenda with Zoom calls…
Why certain commercial sub-segments are facing pricing, capacity crunch
April 12, 2021 by Greg MeckbachToday’s hard market is different not only because of COVID-19 but also because insurers are more granular in their approach towards specific segments within the commercial market, experts suggested Monday during a Canadian Underwriter webinar. “In some industries [i.e. commercial…