Topic Alberta
Western broker: Don’t chop off the head of oil industry
December 9, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAlthough the impact of carbon emissions on climate is a major concern for carriers, western Canadian brokers are concerned about efforts to reduce Canada’s reliance on oil and gas. “Oil and gas is not going away any time soon, and…
Alberta’s top court dismisses appeal of Edmonton man convicted in road rage attack
December 9, 2020 by Daniela Germano - THE CANADIAN PRESSEDMONTON – An Edmonton man sentenced to 3-1/2 years in prison for breaking a woman’s arms with a crowbar in a road-rage attack has lost an appeal of his conviction. Jared Eliasson was granted bail in December 2019, moments after…
Fort McMurray residents still cleaning, considering options after spring flooding
December 8, 2020 by The Canadian PressFORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – More than seven months ago, Cora Dion and her husband fled Fort McMurray for the second time in four years as a spring flood threatened their home in northern Alberta. They returned to a soggy mess…
End of the line for Intact’s bid to appeal frozen food spoilage coverage dispute
December 7, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA Supreme Court of Canada decision released Thursday means Intact Insurance has to defend two lawsuits against a client that operates a cold storage warehouse. Clauson Cold & Cooler Ltd. had a “Commercial Edge Express Plus” policy with Intact. In…
Editorial: Regulators, leave subscription policies alone
December 7, 2020 by David GambrillWhen it comes to regulating “Best Terms Pricing” in Canada, Canadians, politicians and insurance regulators be forewarned: Be careful what you wish for. Banning the practice in a hard commercial lines market could wind up making things worse for consumers,…
Wildfire damage is not like a Godzilla attack. Why that matters to Cat modellers
December 7, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA client’s structure can remain standing after a wildfire, even when other buildings in the same neighbourhood burn down, because dozens of factors affect a property’s risk, experts said Thursday during a webinar. “The interesting thing about wildfire is [that]…
Mother Nature’s wrath
December 7, 2020 by Derek ClouthierAlberta continues to endure the most expensive insured weather events in Canada. What’s happening and what can be done about it?
Western Perspective
December 4, 2020 by Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorMeet Clint Smith, chief operating officer of Manitoba-based Andrew Agencies Ltd., which recently acquired several brokerages in Saskatchewan. Smith gave us his take on the challenges brokers face in Western Canada, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the inside…
Insurance regulators expand scope of inquiry into Best Terms Pricing
December 2, 2020 by David GambrillCanada’s national association of provincial property and casualty insurance regulators is looking into “Best Terms Pricing” in all commercial lines following recent regulatory actions to ban the practice in the strata insurance line in B.C. and Alberta. The Canadian Council…
How COVID-19 workplace risk advice has evolved
November 26, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAs the pandemic enters its ninth month, risk managers are seeing more emphasis on the length of conversations and the importance of wearing proper masks. “The key thing now is the length of contact with somebody else. Right now, if…
The Alberta hail cat has not stopped biting
November 23, 2020 by Greg MeckbachInsurers are still receiving new claims from the June 2020 Alberta hail storm that is estimated to have cost the industry more than $1 billion. “We are actually still seeing some new losses reported from the June storm today,” said…
Will Alberta move to a pure no-fault auto insurance system?
November 23, 2020 by Jason ContantAn Alberta auto insurance advisory committee has recommended the province move to a pure no-fault system delivered by private insurers, a change that the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) does not feel would be in the best interest of drivers.…