Topic Claims
Top 3 ways Mother Nature can ruin your cottage
August 5, 2021 by Canadian UnderwriterWater is often touted as “the new fire,” but not in cottage country, where fire still ranks as the Number 1 cause of loss. “In personal lines, we have seen water become the new fire, or in some cases surpass…
The claims impact of the B.C. wildfires
August 5, 2021 by Jason ContantWildfires raging across British Columbia have resulted in a lot of additional living expenses (ALE) claims, a property restoration firm told Canadian Underwriter Wednesday. “There’s just a lot of increases on the ALE [claims],” Shane Swinson, senior vice president, insurance…
Sixth First Nation in northwestern Ontario evacuating due to forest fires
August 5, 2021 by The Canadian PressTORONTO – Members of a sixth First Nation in northwestern Ontario are being evacuated due to the threat posed by wildfires. The Ontario government says about 200 members of the Wabaseemoong First Nation are expected to be evacuated from the…
How Fairfax is reserving for COVID-19 business interruption reinsurance charges
August 4, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe uncertainty around business interruption insurance coverage and the impact of a United Kingdom Supreme Court are among the reasons Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings has put aside more than US$80 million this year in COVID-19 reserves. Fairfax reported July 29…
Separate hailstorms bring 2,500 claims to date
August 4, 2021 by Jason ContantTwo hailstorms in late July have resulted in about 2,500 property and auto claims to date, a spokesman for Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) told Canadian Underwriter Tuesday. The storms ripped through Saskatchewan on July 22-23 and July 27-28. The larger…
Why this towing company is on the hook for $2,000 in damages
August 3, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIf your client dings another vehicle and informally offers $500 to the driver of the other vehicle, this does not limit your client’s liability to $500. This is one lesson from a British Columbia civil resolution tribunal ruling released last…
McLarens acquires MGB Claims Consultants
August 3, 2021 by Greg MeckbachCanadian adjusting firm MGB Claims Consultants Inc. has been acquired by McLarens, a Norcross, Ga.-based insurance service provider. The financial terms of the deal, announced Tuesday, were not disclosed. Shawn Malik, James Giffen and Shawn Burnett – who founded MGB…
Address misrepresentation a ‘growing problem’: Aviva Canada exec
July 30, 2021 by Canadian Underwriter StaffAviva Canada is reporting a spike in insurance claims that involve misrepresented addresses, leading one executive to call for greater awareness around the issue. According to chief claims officer Bryant Vernon, Aviva Canada data shows a 9.1% increase in Ontario…
Why avid cottagers should consider standalone coverage
July 29, 2021 by Canadian UnderwriterAvid cottage enthusiasts may benefit from some of the “bells and whistles” offered in a standalone policy, as opposed to simply attaching their recreational homes to existing homeowner policies, according to a lifestyle insurance expert at Aviva Canada. Benefits of…
Court clarifies definition of ‘newly acquired automobile’ in motorcycle accident case
July 29, 2021 by Jason ContantA newly acquired motorcycle is considered a “newly acquired automobile” for the purpose of accident benefits under the Ontario Automobile Policy (OAP 1), a panel of three Ontario judges has found. The Divisional Court considered a statutory appeal of the…
Why many brokers need to change their auto quoting process
July 28, 2021 by Greg MeckbachMany brokerages that use AutoPlus to obtain auto insurance quotes will likely have to change their processes over the next couple of months. AutoPlus’s vendor, CGI Group Inc., will start updating that online database product Aug. 13, says the Insurance…
How much ransom demands are increasing for your cyber clients
July 27, 2021 by Jason ContantAverage ransom demands have increased nearly threefold and smaller companies are experiencing more cyberattacks, according to the results of Coalition Inc.’s latest cyber insurance claims report. From the first half of 2020 to H1 2021, the average ransom demand made…