Topic Alberta
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.…
Which insurer has to pay if garage loaner vehicle causes an accident
November 20, 2020 by Greg MeckbachWhen the driver of a loaner vehicle provided by an auto service centre is sued by an accident victim in Alberta, the insurer of the loaner vehicle may be the first payor. This is what happened when Northwest Acura in…
Will changes to Alberta auto reduce insurers’ claims costs?
November 20, 2020 by Jason ContantProposed changes to auto insurance regulations in Alberta and new Orders in Council should help reduce claims costs for insurers, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) told Canadian Underwriter Thursday. Bill 41, the Insurance (Enhancing Driver Affordability and Care) Amendment Act,…
Westland brokerage moves in an easterly direction
November 13, 2020 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance’s mergers and acquisition strategy continues in an easterly direction from its roots in British Columbia. Just days after closing its first-ever brokerage acquisition in Ontario, Westland Insurance Group Ltd. announced its second acquisition in Manitoba. On Nov. 10,…
Hard market is trickling down to condo unit owners
November 13, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe hard market in commercial property coverage for condo corporations is having an impact on individual condo and strata unit owners, new data from LowestRates.ca shows. Personal property rates for condo unit owners increased 16% year-over-year in both Alberta and…
Alberta farmers file what may be first class-action lawsuit over unpaid oil leases
November 11, 2020 by The Canadian PressCALGARY – Two Alberta landowners have filed what a lawyer says could be the first class-action lawsuit against an energy company for not making its lease payments. “It’s a pretty clear contract,” said lawyer Matthew Farrell, who is representing Reinhold…
Brokerage M&A round-up: Which four were bought?
November 9, 2020 by Jason ContantBritish Columbia-based Westland Insurance Group Ltd. has moved into the Ontario market, announcing that it has acquired Gillons Insurance Brokers Ltd. The “significant and substantial milestone” supports Westland’s expansion strategy to become a national insurance brokerage, the brokerage said when…
How this Supreme Court ruling impacts contractor insolvency risk
November 3, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling means construction clients need to be careful about contract wording that refers to insolvency or bankruptcy. With the Oct. 2 ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada has taken away a tool that a…
Western Canadian air tanker fleet busy despite drop in wildfires
October 19, 2020 by Bill Graveland - THE CANADIAN PRESSRED DEER, Alta. – A family-run company providing air-tanker support to control menacing wildfires in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Yukon is a little less busy these days, but it has nothing to do with the COVID-19 pandemic. “It has…
The growing cost to clean up abandoned and orphaned wells
October 16, 2020 by The Canadian PressThis article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Author: Kevin Kemball, Director – Centre for Boreal Research, Northern Alberta…
Brokerage M&A roundup: Westland and BrokerTeam announce deals
October 2, 2020 by Greg MeckbachWestland Insurance Group and BrokerTeam Group have both announced separate deals this past week. Westland Insurance Group Ltd. acquired two Alberta brokerages, effective Oct. 1. Surrey, B.C.-based Westland announced Friday it closed the acquisition of Carstairs, Alta.-based Ironside Insurance Brokers…