Auto insurers, province dispute whether B.C.’s Bill 11 limits competition
July 9, 2020 by David GambrillThe Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has published an open letter to British Columbia Premier John Horgan, outlining concerns that the province’s Bill 11 may “stifle the limited competition that currently exists in BC’s optional auto insurance market,” a claim…
Three found dead after downtown motel fire in Prince George, B.C
July 9, 2020 by THE CANADIAN PRESSPRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The RCMP say the bodies of three people have been found at the scene of a motel fire in downtown Prince George, B.C. Cpl. Craig Douglass says emergency services were called to the Econo Lodge City…
Ontario premier’s stance on liability protection from pandemic
July 8, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIt is not clear yet whether the Ontario government will grant any protection for liability arising from COVID-19, but the province will not protect “bad actors” in the long-term care or nursing home sector, a spokesperson for Premier Doug Ford…
How an insurer in an “underinsured” auto case reduced its exposure by more than $452K
July 7, 2020 by David GambrillAn Ontario auto insurer in an underinsured accident case is entitled to make a subrogated claim against a third party – in this case, a bartender who was found 11% responsible for a fatal car crash — even though its…
Lloyd’s proposes “open source” frameworks for future pandemic coverage
July 6, 2020 by David GambrillLloyd’s of London is proposing three “open-source frameworks” to provide a blueprint for better protecting society against systemic catastrophic events such as pandemics, after noting the market will pay out between $3 billion and $4.3 billion to its global customers…
COVID-19 sparks debate about U.S. adjuster use in Calgary
July 3, 2020 by David GambrillCOVID-19 appears to be kindling proud sentiments about employing Canadian adjusters, after social media posts triggered an age-old debate about using U.S. adjusters to handle catastrophe claims in Canada. Twitter was abuzz with comments after Global News posted a piece…
A new regime for tow truck regulations? What auto insurers want to see
July 2, 2020 by David GambrillAuto insurers are applauding Ontario’s creation of a new government task force to improve provincial oversight of the tow truck industry, citing the possibility of reducing insurance fraud and associated premium reductions for consumers. “IBC applauds the Ontario government for…
Dam threatened by water levels in rural Manitoba, some residents evacuate
July 2, 2020 by THE CANADIAN PRESSRIVERS, Man. – A rural Manitoba mayor says some people and livestock have been evacuated from his community because high water levels are threatening a dam. Rural Municipality of Riverdale Mayor Todd Gill says 38 households in the Little Saskatchewan…
What the court said about parents’ liability when hosting teen drinking parties
June 25, 2020 by David GambrillParents hosting a house party in which minors are drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana must be reasonable — but not perfect — when protecting teens against “foreseeable” risks, a B.C. court ruled in a recent social host liability case. The…
This Nissan seatbelt lawsuit will have more than 100 witnesses
June 24, 2020 by Greg MeckbachVehicle manufacturer Nissan is facing a lawsuit in British Columbia over rear seatbelts, in a case that demonstrates how legal defence costs can multiply in a hurry. The plaintiff, Arshdeep Singh Sidhu, was nine years old in 2008 when he…
Auto total loss claims escalate after Calgary hail storm: IBC
June 24, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe industry is expecting well over 20,000 claims from the recent Alberta hail storm, and some vehicles were wrecked badly enough that they have to be written off, the Insurance Bureau of Canada reports. “We are hearing from several consumers…
Toronto officer now allegedly linked to illegal tow truck scheme
June 24, 2020 by Paola Loriggio - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – A Toronto police officer arrested last week in the theft of a police radio has now allegedly been linked to an illegal operation benefiting the tow truck industry. Toronto police said Monday that 11 people, including 47-year-old Const.…
