Canadian Underwriter

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Man injured in a crash while sleeping in a stolen truck is covered

May 31, 2023 by David Gambrill

A man sleeping in the back of a pickup truck when it was stolen by an uninsured driver and involved in a serious crash is entitled to auto insurance coverage, the Court of Appeal for Ontario has ruled. The Appeal…

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How hybrid work can increase broker E&O risk

May 31, 2023 by David Gambrill

Workplace flexibility, one feature of a hybrid workplace, has proven to be a selling point to attract younger brokers. But the hybrid office makes it difficult to supervise newly recruited brokers to make sure they’re doing things correctly, broker E&O…

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The state of the cannabis insurance market in 2023 

May 30, 2023 by Jason Contant

Even though inflation cooled to 4.3% in March from a high of 8.1% last summer, its effect is still being felt on personal and commercial lines alike.  The cannabis insurance market is no exception. Carriers across the board are looking…

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Government announces aid for residents affected by spring flooding

May 30, 2023 by The Canadian Press

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon government says it’s working to provide financial support and other help to residents and businesses hurt by ongoing flooding in the Klondike Valley. The government said 82 residents have signed up for emergency support services so…

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‘Foreseeable’ cyberattack on N.L. health network hit majority of province: report

May 29, 2023 by The Canadian Press

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – A new report says the cyberattack that temporarily knocked down Newfoundland and Labrador’s health-care IT systems in October 2021 was foreseeable and almost inevitable.  The 115-page report from the office of the province’s privacy commissioner concludes…

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What makes the Halifax wildfire so unique

May 29, 2023 by Jason Contant

Nova Scotia is no stranger to wildfire, but the out-of-control blaze burning in suburban Halifax is unique in its aggressiveness, Glenn McGillivray, managing director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction told Canadian Underwriter Monday.  As of Monday afternoon, an…

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‘Immense sorrow:’ Major fire at Montreal heritage building that once housed monastery

May 26, 2023 by Sidhartha Banerjee - THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL – A major fire at a Montreal heritage building was still not under control Friday and authorities were not able to provide a firm timeline of how long it would take to extinguish the blaze. The fire broke out…

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How busy will Atlantic hurricane season be?  

May 25, 2023 by Seth Borenstein - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

Two clashing climatic behemoths, one natural and one with human fingerprints, will square off this summer to determine how quiet or chaotic the Atlantic hurricane season will be.   An El Nino is brewing and the natural weather event dramatically dampens…

Nails being bent by a hammer to illustrate business errors and the need to slow down and think News BrokersClaimsCommercial LinesInsuranceLive with CUProfessional Development

What key factors spark E&O claims against brokers?

May 25, 2023 by David Gambrill

Senior broker retirements, a labour shortage that’s spurring firms to bring new, inexperienced employees into brokerages, and a hybrid office may be combining to increase a broker’s errors and omissions (E&O) exposure. “It’s very difficult to track [broker E&O] claims…

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More than half of N.W.T. wildfires so far this season caused by humans: officials

May 24, 2023 by The Canadian Press

HAY RIVER, N.W.T. – Officials in the Northwest Territories say more than half of the wildfires in the territory this year were started by people. A total of 15 wildfires have burned 161 square kilometres across the territory so far…

Damaged property from recent wildfires is shown in Drayton Valley, Alta. News BrokersCatastrophesClaimsClimate ChangeInsurance

Losses adjusters don’t want to see from Alberta wildfires

May 24, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

With wildfires raging on across Alberta and the west, adjusters are hoping the fires stay remote and spare populous areas from catastrophic losses. “We are seeing some claims and anticipate seeing many more as dangerous conditions persist,” Patricia (P.J.) Davis,…

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Rain could slow down record-breaking Alberta wildfires, officials say

May 23, 2023 by Rob Drinkwater - THE CANADIAN PRESS

EDMONTON – Light rainfall and cooler temperatures slowed down wildfire activity in Alberta over the long weekend and more rain that’s in the forecast may help firefighters catch a breath during a record-breaking season of fires. “This could be a…