Topic Alberta
Auto theft’s impact on your clients’ premiums
August 29, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoPremiums for commonly stolen vehicles have increased between 25% and 50% over the last two years, according to data from RatesDotCa. Insurers are bumping up rates after the Canadian P&C insurance industry paid out a record $1 billion for auto…
Rollover communication error lands BrokerLink in hot water
August 28, 2023 by David GambrillBrokerLink in Alberta got some unwanted regulatory attention after failing to inform a client about a rollover agreement the brokerage had made with a new insurer on behalf of a farm insurance client. As is common in P&C insurance, when…
Aviva Canada’s first-half experience in personal lines
August 16, 2023 by David GambrillAviva Canada’s 2023 half-year results in personal lines are a mixed bag, with strong results on the personal property side, but the insurer is taking initiative to shore up its personal auto results. Overall, the company reported half-year growth of…
Wildfires close evacuation routes out of N.W.T. towns, some being transported by air
August 14, 2023 by The Canadian PressFORT SMITH, N.W.T. – Residents of a second town near the Alberta-Northwest Territories boundary were ordered to evacuate to safety Sunday evening due to encroaching wildfires, with a new fire meaning the only route out for one of the communities…
A busy summer for M&A at two of Canada’s largest brokerages
August 9, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoSummertime M&A has not been slowing down for BrokerLink and Westland Insurance who have respectively completed three and two more deals in August. For BrokerLink, the three latest deals account for a total of twelve in 2023 thus far, focused…
The P&C benefits firm buying frenzy continues
July 31, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAcera Insurance Services Ltd. is merging with Prizm Financial Inc. to expand its benefits division. The deal follows an ongoing trend of P&C firms expanding their offerings into the financial services realm by becoming one-stop shop for their commercial and…
Why this title insurer doesn’t owe the client’s improvement taxes
July 31, 2023 by David GambrillCanada’s top court has effectively upheld a decision that a title insurer isn’t on the hook for local improvement charges that become payable in the years following the closing of a real estate transaction. FCT Insurance thus won its appeal…
Trial to decide insurer’s duty to defend in seniors lodge explosion
July 24, 2023 by David GambrillIt’s going to take a trial to decide whether or not Co-operators General Insurance Company owes a duty to defend in a complicated legal case concerning a 2015 gas explosion that happened on a construction site at the Bow River…
Zenith Insurance ends broker contract; Alberta Finance Minister cites rate pause
July 20, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoEditor’s Note: On Friday July 21, 2023, Canadian Underwriter sent out an e-newsletter with an incorrect subject heading, implying that Zenith pulled out of auto insurance in Alberta. In fact, Zenith has only cancelled a contract with a brokerage that…
M&A frenzy continues with multiple deals announced
July 19, 2023 by Jason ContantCorrection: The article has been amended to show Andrew Agencies has 22 locations, not 200 as previously reported. Canadian Underwriter apologizes for the error. On the heels of separate deals that closed at the beginning of the month, large…
Insurer backs away from Alberta auto — could others follow suit?
July 19, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAlberta’s auto insurance rate pause has caused one insurer to back away from the market, with others potentially following suit. The insurer is said to have a market share of less than 0.5% of auto policies in Alberta, a source…
New government commits to auto insurance reform
July 17, 2023 by David GambrillAlberta’s new UCP government has tasked its minister of finance, Nate Horner, to come up with options for auto insurance reform. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith sent a mandate letter to Horner dated July 13 instructing Horner to lead a review…