Topic Claims
Ontario seeing more and larger wildfires this year, officials say
July 26, 2021 by Allison Jones - THE CANADIAN PRESSThe number and size of wildfires in northern Ontario this year are substantially higher than average, and have forced thousands of people to flee First Nations communities, the government said Monday. This year there have been 902 wildfires so far,…
Severe drought expected to cost Alberta $1 billion in insurance payouts
July 23, 2021 by Jason ContantCrop insurance payouts in Alberta will likely reach about $1 billion later this year due to hot, dry weather that is contributing to severe drought conditions, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry said Thursday. “This year’s crop insurance claims will…
Cyclist loses bid to summon the Queen to court in auto insurance case
July 23, 2021 by David GambrillA B.C. cyclist injured in a car collision has lost his bid to demand an audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in an effort to make his case against the province’s public auto insurer. In addition to seeking an…
Supreme Court of Canada sides with city over release for ‘claims of any kind or nature whatsoever’
July 23, 2021 by Greg MeckbachAs the late singer Prince said, forever is a mighty long time. While his 1984 tune “Let’s Go Crazy” is not about tort claims, a Supreme Court of Canada decision released Friday should serve as a reminder of the significance…
Why your clients should do an inspection before buying a home
July 21, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA couple who discovered a leaking bathtub after moving into their new home cannot get compensation from the sellers. A “reasonable inspection” would have revealed a water problem before Tyler and Keva Luscombe bought their home in 2020, the British…
Did loosening COVID restrictions contribute to more serious accidents?
July 21, 2021 by Jason ContantStatistics from Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) show a definitive link between the lifting of COVID-19 public health orders and an increase in serious collisions and fatalities on roads in the province. Throughout the pandemic, Canadian Underwriter has reported auto insurer…
Get ready for hundreds of claims from Barrie twister
July 21, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe industry will probably see well over 200 claims from the July 15 tornado that hit Barrie, Ont., says a wind damage expert who has looked at the affected area. “I expect the total number of damaged houses was about…
Hundreds more ordered out of their homes in B.C. by threatening wildfires
July 21, 2021 by The Canadian PressHundreds more British Columbians have joined the thousands already forced from their homes by wildfires as several local governments ordered residents to get out Tuesday night ahead of nearby blazes. The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary declared a local state…
The legal pitfalls of online and over-the-phone insurance applications
July 20, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA property insurer can be stuck paying out on a claim even though the client made a “material omission” on their insurance application, but the industry can mitigate this risk by being especially careful when taking applications over the phone…
Look for AI to “hyper-personalize” customer experience in 3-5 years: Aviva exec
July 20, 2021 by David GambrillHyper-personalization of customer experience in three to five years’ time is a big reason why the property and casualty insurance industry is ramping up the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning now, an Aviva Canada tech executive suggests. “I…
Who’s building your client’s green energy farm? Why you need to know
July 19, 2021 by Adam MalikWhether it’s a solar or wind turbine farm, or any other energy-related facility, an insurer expert is raising red flags about the quality of people at job sites. Underwriters care about a site and its propensity to be hit by…
Why your clients may not have the high ground on overland flood risk
July 19, 2021 by Greg MeckbachMany homeowners opt not to buy overland flood coverage and this could leave them uninsured in the event of a severe rain storm. “Overland flooding is any water that comes into your house through the windows or door or anything…