Environment Canada says tornadoes destroy barns, down trees in southern Ontario
June 11, 2020 by THE CANADIAN PRESSGLENCOE, Ont. – Environment Canada says it’s investigating after two tornadoes were reported near London, Ont., Wednesday night. The weather agency says the first happened at 7:50 p.m. in Glencoe, Ont., while the second happened 40 minutes later in Belmont,…
How basement flood risk could rise with pandemic-induced municipal funding crunch
June 10, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic could have an impact on public works projects aimed at reducing basement flooding, the head of an extreme weather risk think tank suggests. “When you are talking about how we are going to…
Self-driving cars may not reduce as many crashes as you think: report
June 10, 2020 by Adam MalikInsurers expecting the rise of autonomous vehicles to lower collisions may not get the results they were hoping for, according to a new report. It turns out that self-driving vehicles might prevent only about one-third of all collisions, says the…
How the pandemic affects this claims adjuster’s property inspections
June 10, 2020 by Greg MeckbachDespite the unprecedented closures and precautions arising from the ongoing pandemic, claims adjusters continue to inspect properties affected by disasters. “With exterior damages, social distancing has done nothing to affect [claims investigations] other than requiring us to stay a safe…
How COVID-19 impacts maritime risk
June 9, 2020 by Greg MeckbachRestrictions imposed on international travel to limit the spread of COVID-19 may be a concern for merchant shipping because crews could be overdue for a rest, Allianz Global Commercial Specialty suggests in a recent paper. “Due to closed international borders…
Alberta drivers push back against no-fault
June 9, 2020 by Adam MalikAlbertans would rather stick with its at-fault auto insurance system than switch to a no-fault program, according to a new survey. More than six in 10 Albertans (61%) surveyed told Nanos Research that they prefer at-fault over the no-fault system.…
Roads flooded, some homes evacuated as rain pummels southeast Manitoba
June 9, 2020 by THE CANADIAN PRESSSTUARTBURN, Man. – Heavy rain in southeastern Manitoba has flooded roads and forced people out of some homes. David Kiansky, reeve of the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn, says the water rose up suddenly and covered a lot of farmland and…
The ‘massive’ business interruption coverage question with no ‘obvious answer’
June 8, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe outcome of an ongoing British test case for business interruption during a pandemic could set a precedent for commercial coverage disputes in Canada, a Toronto-based insurance defence lawyer suggests. Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is scheduled to file a…
Why Intact predicts sustained hard market in home insurance
June 5, 2020 by Greg MeckbachNatural disasters like the recent Fort McMurray flooding will likely continue driving home insurance rates up, suggests Intact Financial Corp. CEO Charles Brindamour. “Personal property is in a relatively hard market environment with mid to upper single digit rates increases.…
Editor’s Note: Underwriting for the next pandemic
June 5, 2020 by David GambrillThe social and economic impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020 is truly horrifying, saddening, and staggering. Many of us have lost loved ones, or know people who are out of work because of the potentially lethal virus moving…
A provincial twist on the emergency suspension of limitation periods
June 4, 2020 by David GambrillWhile many Canadian courts continue to suspend two-year limitation periods for plaintiffs to file civil lawsuits against insurers and other defendants, Alberta’s clock has started running again as of June 1 – and for claims under the province’s Insurance Act,…
Nissan recalls nearly 1.9M cars for pesky hood latch
June 4, 2020 by Tom Krisher - THE ASSOCIATED PRESSDETROIT – For the fourth time, Nissan is recalling hundreds – of thousands of midsize cars in the U.S. and Canada to fix a nagging latch problem that may allow the hood fly open while cars are moving. The latest…
