Topic Claims Canada Archive
Is the risk of coronavirus a ‘physical loss’ to the property?
April 29, 2020 by Greg MeckbachCommercial insurers may say that business interruption does not normally apply to the pandemic because coverage only kicks in when there is an insurable property loss. However, some clients’ lawyers are arguing the coronavirus should in fact be considered a…
Should removing winter tires be a priority during pandemic?
April 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAs summer approaches in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a key question is whether motorists with winter tires are getting their seasonal tire changes. Keeping winter tires on during the summer increases the risk of aquaplaning because winter tire…
Supreme Court of Canada to hear coverage dispute over fatal motorcycle accident
April 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe Supreme Court of Canada announced it will hear an auto liability coverage dispute involving RSA Canada, insurer of a motorcyclist who had alcohol in his system while holding a probationary licence. The motorcyclist, Steven Devecseri, was killed May 29,…
Flooding in Fort McMurray leads to request for military assistance from Ottawa
April 27, 2020 by THE CANADIAN PRESSFORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – Flooding in northern Alberta has led to mandatory evacuations in Fort McMurray and a request to the federal government for military assistance. “We have requested assistance from the federal government as we face this new crisis,”…
The liability of long-term care facilities: COVID-19’s projected impact
April 24, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe COVID-19 pandemic could cause large losses for liability insurers covering nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and therefore further tightening of rates, a Canadian managing general agent predicts. “There are a lot of exposures in the business,” Stephen Stewart,…
New evacuation order in B.C. as flooding affects central Interior
April 24, 2020 by THE CANADIAN PRESSVANCOUVER – A flood warning has been issued for a river near Prince George, British Columbia, after it rose nearly 35 centimetres in a day. The B.C. River Forecast Centre, which assesses water supply, flood risk and predicts flows in…
Liability claims that could arise from the pandemic
April 22, 2020 by Greg MeckbachOne result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will be liability claims against company boards, property and casualty industry watchers predict. “I think we will see litigation coming out of this,” Shara Roy, a partner with law firm Lenczner Slaght Royce…
PACICC ups insolvency benefits to consumers
April 20, 2020 by David GambrillCanada’s property and casualty insurance companies have upped the benefit amounts they will pay out to policyholders in the wake of an insurance company insolvency. In addition, they have broadened coverage for some commercial specialty lines customers who were previously…
Predicting possible outcomes to coronavirus and other pandemics with models and simulations
April 20, 2020 by Gabriel Wainer, Professor, Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University - 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 Lately, our daily lives include reading complex news items with analysis…
Fairfax predicts court’s reaction to legislated retroactive BI policy changes
April 16, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf laws get passed retroactively changing business interruption policy wording so that pandemic losses now get covered, insurers will likely launch legal challenges that will be looked at by high court judges, Fairfax Financial CEO Prem Watsa suggests. During Fairfax’s…
Easter winds may have come just shy of first pandemic-era Cat event
April 15, 2020 by Greg MeckbachHigh winds affecting various areas in Eastern Canada Monday will not necessarily result in a catastrophe event for property insurers, but it’s too early to tell for sure. Early Environment Canada forecasts suggested the storm could potentially lead to the…
Meet the restauranteur who’s taking the industry to court over pandemic BI coverage
April 14, 2020 by Greg MeckbachBelieve it or not, some commercial clients expect business interruption insurance to cover loss of income if the business gets interrupted, even if the cause of the interruption is a pandemic. Regina restaurant owner Thomas Siarkos is one such client.…