Topic Adjusters
Q&A: Business Continuity in the Digital Age
May 26, 2020 by David GambrillMore than 3 million Canadians lost their jobs in March and April due to the business closures to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus. An Angus Reid poll published in March suggested that 44% of Canadian households reported lost…
Pandemic insurance fraud: What to watch for…
May 25, 2020 by Greg MeckbachInflated auto towing and storage claims and arson are among the risks the industry faces from the economic downturn and social distancing arising from the pandemic, a fraud and data analytics expert warns. “A legitimate accident may happen and [a…
What can go wrong if ‘actual cash value’ is not clearly defined in a property policy
May 19, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAfter a 132-year-old Cape Breton Island building was heavily damaged by a sprinkler line failure, there was a huge disparity between the property owner and insurer’s versions of “actual cash value.” The claimant said $1.59 million, while the insurer said…
Lower auto claims frequency may not translate into reduced claims severity: Intact CEO
May 13, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf your auto client base is driving less because of the pandemic, then its claims costs should drop in proportion. Right? Not necesessarily, suggests the head of Canada’s largest auto insurer. Intact Financial Corp. looked at its database of driving…
How this reinsurer views property risk in Fort McMurray
May 4, 2020 by Greg MeckbachSome properties affected by the current flooding in Fort McMurray, Alberta, were also affected by the massive wildfire in 2016 but despite the multiple tragedies, the properties are still considered insurable. “Property in the town of Fort McMurray, Alberta is…
How to exclude business interruption during pandemic
May 4, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf a commercial insurer does not want business interruption covering a pandemic-related exposure, how should the policy be worded? One insurance defence lawyer would advise the carrier to add a section entitled ‘Pandemic/viral/bacterial infection’ to the list of exclusions. “I…
Why it’s hard to determine liability when a plaintiff catches coronavirus in nursing home
May 1, 2020 by Greg MeckbachLiability insurers and courts could be entering uncharted legal territory when dealing with class-action lawsuits against nursing homes or long-term care homes in which residents have become sick and died from the coronavirus. In some cases, a question before a…
Chief medical health officer eases COVID rules in Alberta flood areas: premier
April 29, 2020 by THE CANADIAN PRESSFORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – Premier Jason Kenney says the province’s chief medical officer of health is relaxing some COVID-19 restrictions for people who are dealing with flooding in northern Alberta. Kenney says in a tweet sent out late Tuesday that…
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,…
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…
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…
The advice some lawyers give commercial clients over pandemic BI coverage
April 9, 2020 by Greg MeckbachBrokers advising commercial clients that business interruption is not usually covered during a pandemic should not be surprised if those clients are hearing something different from their lawyers. “I would caution policyholders to thoroughly review their specific policy language before…