Topic Adjusters
Calgary hail damage ‘pretty startling’ to this adjuster
June 19, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf you have clients in the Calgary area who suffered property damage in the June 13 hail storm, they could be waiting a while to get their properties repaired, an executive for one independent adjusting firm suggests. “There are tens…
How the industry can take advantage of artificial intelligence
June 18, 2020 by Greg MeckbachBrokerages who use artificial intelligence could find opportunities to upsell based on changes in a client’s lifestyle, according to a software vendor executive. The more data you feed a machine learning model and the more you train it, the better…
COVID-19 has accelerated changes to the claims industry
June 15, 2020 by Adam MalikAuto insurance customers should enjoy a shorter claims journey if pandemic-related changes stick around, insurance pros told Canadian Underwriter recently. Social distancing rules related to the COVID-19 pandemic have forced the insurance industry, along with its customers, to adopt technology…
One cheap way for cities to reduce basement flood risk
June 11, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation is encouraging Canadian municipalities to follow the example of Nova Scotia municipalities that are distributing basement flood prevention tips to property owners with their tax bill. Starting Friday June 12, both the town and…
How the pandemic affects this claims adjuster’s property inspections
June 10, 2020 by Greg MeckbachDespite the unprecedented closures and precautions arising from the ongoing pandemic, claims adjusters continue to inspect properties affected by disasters. “With exterior damages, social distancing has done nothing to affect [claims investigations] other than requiring us to stay a safe…
How COVID-19 impacts maritime risk
June 9, 2020 by Greg MeckbachRestrictions imposed on international travel to limit the spread of COVID-19 may be a concern for merchant shipping because crews could be overdue for a rest, Allianz Global Commercial Specialty suggests in a recent paper. “Due to closed international borders…
A provincial twist on the emergency suspension of limitation periods
June 4, 2020 by David GambrillWhile many Canadian courts continue to suspend two-year limitation periods for plaintiffs to file civil lawsuits against insurers and other defendants, Alberta’s clock has started running again as of June 1 – and for claims under the province’s Insurance Act,…
How Lloyd’s is handling claims differently with COVID-19
June 3, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIn response to the ongoing pandemic, the Lloyd’s market is changing the way claims are handled when multiple syndicates write one risk. “One challenge with COVID-19 is the subscription nature of the market, whereby it is often several syndicates writing…
Six-figure pain and suffering judgement against Wal-Mart Canada attracts appeal court scrutiny
May 29, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA $225,000 award in a lawsuit against Wal-Mart Canada, arising from the accidental spraying of a fire extinguisher by a worker, could be headed to the Supreme Court of Canada. The victim of the accidental spraying, Kim Manos, initially won…
Q&A: Business Continuity in the Digital Age
May 27, 2020 by David GambrillIn an age of social distancing, contactless claims resolution is an important part of preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Canadian Underwriter has talked to those in the claims industry about how to do their jobs safely in the…
Pyrrhic victory for Intact in faulty workmanship coverage dispute
May 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIntact Insurance has convinced an Alberta court that the “faulty workmanship” exclusion applies in a disputed commercial fire claim but the carrier still has to pay more than $600,000 to a bakery, mainly because the judge rejected Intact’s definition of…
Dry conditions in Nova Scotia fuelling three large wildfires
May 27, 2020 by THE CANADIAN PRESSHALIFAX – Provincial officials in Nova Scotia are warning about the potential for forest fires in dry, humid conditions as firefighters battle three significant wildfires across the province. The fires burning Tuesday follow a weekend blaze near Porters Lake east…