Topic Catastrophes
Reinsurance in Canada unlikely to cost less in 2024
August 24, 2023 by David GambrillIf Canadian P&C insurers thought the Cat reinsurance market was tough this year, just wait until next year. “Global reinsurers are cutting back on the cover they provide against medium-sized natural catastrophe risks due to investor pressure after several years…
Heavy rain aids in tempering B.C. wildfires in Shuswap, Okanagan regions
August 24, 2023 by The Canadian PressFirefighters in British Columbia’s southern Interior continue to battle a number of major blazes, having been aided by ample rainfall that fell Wednesday over the Okanagan and Shuswap regions. B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Forrest Tower says one weather station…
How much insurers can expect to pay for Canadian wildfires
August 23, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoCanadian insurers could see between $700 million and $1.5 billion in insured losses from this summer’s wildfire season, DBRS Morningstar predicts in new commentary. Despite the high loss figures, the claims incurred in 2023 Q3’s wildfire season will be manageable…
Yellowknife mayor says it’s too unsafe for residents to return to the capital city
August 23, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoYELLOWKNIFE — The mayor of Yellowknife says it’s not safe for residents to go home to the territorial capital, but notes city officials are working on a return plan as a fire continues to burn about 15 kilometres away. Most…
How wildfires are affecting some of Canada’s largest P&C insurers
August 22, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoDespite facing a heavy loss year and an unusually active wildfire season, four of Canada’s publicly traded P&C companies — Intact Financial Corporation, Fairfax Financial Holdings, Definity Financial Corporation and Trisura Group Ltd. — reported positive underwriting profits thus far,…
Almost 60 buildings lost to wildfire in Kelowna, B.C., area, fire chiefs say
August 22, 2023 by Dirk Meissner The Canadian PressA West Kelowna man says he is still in shock after the wildfire tearing through the region burned down his condo and forced him and his eight-months-pregnant wife to evacuate twice in one night. Randy Miskuski said his family had…
Update on Yellowknife wildfire
August 21, 2023 by The Canadian PressYELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T – Firefighters battling a wildfire near the capital of the Northwest Territories shifted from defence to offence Monday after a weekend of cooler temperatures, favourable winds and some rain. “We’re in a position to move to direct attack…
What P&C industry can expect from Kelowna wildfires
August 21, 2023 by David GambrillIn an eerie coincidence, almost 20 years to the day wildfires caused $200 million in insured damage back in 2003, Kelowna is burning once again. About 30,000 people in the southern Interior region of B.C. — about a third of…
Thunderstorms now a primary concern for insurers
August 10, 2023 by David GambrillDamage from secondary perils such as thunderstorms in the first half of 2023 is of primary concern to reinsurers. A series of widespread thunderstorms hitting the U.S. accounted for 68% of global insured natural catastrophe losses in the first half…
What’s driving Intact’s high personal property combined ratio?
August 3, 2023 by Jason ContantIntact Financial Corporation (IFC) saw an elevated combined ratio (undiscounted) of 119.2% in its Canadian personal property segment in 2023 Q2, driven in part by twice the expected level of Cat losses. The 119.2% combined ratio in Intact’s personal property…
What’s the future for Canada’s reinsurance rates?
August 2, 2023 by Alyssa Di SabatinoNew risks emerging in Canada are leading reinsurers to increase premiums, industry experts have told Canadian Underwriter. Although U.S. damage losses last year far outweighed Canada’s, contributing significantly to escalating reinsurance prices, insured NatCat damage in Canada in 2022 was…
‘Complacency’ blamed for N.S. struggles with flooding, other climate disasters
August 1, 2023 by Michael Tutton - THE CANADIAN PRESSHALIFAX – On the night floodwaters swept through his Nova Scotia county, taking lives and tearing out bridges, Doug Pynch says he had trouble believing an emergency alert that flashed across his phone. It called for residents to evacuate to…