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Will Hurricane Florence affect reinsurance rates in Canada?

September 12, 2018 by Jason Contant

As the southeastern United States braces for Hurricane Florence – one year after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria caused widespread destruction in the country – the question of whether there is sufficient reinsurance capacity is again thrust into the spotlight.

News CatastrophesClaimsRisk

This storm preparation tip is a myth

September 12, 2018 by Greg Meckbach

As Newfoundland gets hit by the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon and Hurricane Florence threatens the Carolinas, brokers can make a difference in advising homeowners what not to do as nasty weather approaches. “In Canada, there are not many hurricane-type

News InsuranceRiskTechnology

Desjardins Group part of new Canadian cybersecurity collective

September 12, 2018 by Jason Contant

MONTREAL – Security-minded consumers will soon have access to a free app designed to protect their data from cybersecurity threats. The digital app, called Protection, is designed to help users detect security breaches and scamming attempts in their emails, texts

News InsuranceLegislation / RegulationRiskTechnology

Where Canada should look for regulation on autonomous vehicles

September 10, 2018 by Jason Contant

Canadian provinces seeking guidance on addressing liability issues of autonomous vehicles could look to the United Kingdom as an example, an insurance lawyer told Canadian Underwriter Friday. The UK has a bill in the reading stages that, if passed, would

News Risk

Unpredictable sinkhole in Nova Scotia takes bite out of parking lot

September 5, 2018 The Canadian Press

OXFORD, N.S. – A large sinkhole that has swallowed trees and picnic tables in a Nova Scotia park has now taken a bite out of a parking lot, as the natural phenomenon continues to capture the attention of geological experts

News ClaimsLegislation / RegulationRisk

Liability risk for private pot retailers

August 28, 2018 by Greg Meckbach

Your retail client could be at risk of a lawsuit if it starts selling cannabis, but the exposure may not be the same as the liability risk of a bar serving alcohol, an insurance defence lawyer suggests. Whether a retailer

News Risk

Feds approve first saliva screening roadside test for marijuana

August 28, 2018 The Canadian Press

OTTAWA – Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is giving the green light to a new roadside test to check for drugs. On Monday, Wilson-Raybould approved the Drager DrugTest 5000 as the first saliva screening equipment to be used by law enforcement

News ConstructionInsuranceRisk

Could this new construction method hike insurance costs?

August 27, 2018 by Greg Meckbach

A client occupying a tall wood building could face higher insurance costs, a group of masonry producers claims, while one fire insurer confirms such a building deserves closer scrutiny from an underwriter. Your insurance premiums would be higher as an

News Mergers and AqcuisitionsRisk

Hot opportunity in this Canadian insurance line is linked to M&A

August 24, 2018 by Greg Meckbach

Representations and warranties (R&W) insurance is becoming a hot market, as commercial clients wonder whether mergers and acquisitions could expose them to unforeseen liabilities. In Canada, the R&W market “has really expanded,” according to Brian Kelly, a Montreal-based managing partner

News Risk

How smoke from B.C. wildfires affects this industry

August 24, 2018 Beth Leighton - THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER – Winemakers can only hope the scent of smoke that’s in the air across British Columbia from wildfires won’t swirl in the glass once this year’s vintages have been bottled. Smoke-shrouded grapes can give an ashy, bitter flavour to

News BrokersInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesProductsRisk

Hub’s Top 3 pot risks

August 23, 2018 by Jason Contant

As cannabis comes closer to being legalized in Canada, Hub International told Canadian Underwriter the three major risks the brokerage has faced while writing cannabis insurance for the past four years. One of them is cash-on-hand, meaning pot producers have money

News Legislation / RegulationRisk

Why Canada’s railway safety authority is concerned about winter tires on a bus

August 23, 2018 by Greg Meckbach

Figuring out which tires should be used in winter is a risk management challenge for many school bus operators, a federal safety organization warned Wednesday. “If school bus operators do not have access to independent and objective assessments of winter