Topic Claims
How commercial premium renewal rates are trending in Canada
April 30, 2021 by Jason ContantCanadian commercial line renewal rates increased at a slower pace across all major lines in Q1 2021 compared to one year ago, according to the latest commercial premium rate index from tech vendor Applied Systems. Overall, the magnitude of rate…
Why insurers like Ontario’s plans to restrict tow trucks
April 29, 2021 by Greg MeckbachOntario tow truck operators will be prohibited from stopping within 200 metres of motor vehicle accidents unless they are specifically asked to do so by people involved in the collision. This is what will happen if Bill 282, the Moving…
Opinion: Why the specialty aviation market may soon be taking off
April 29, 2021 by Michael McEwen, HDI Global Specialty SELast year was challenging for aviation insurers’ customers but there are many signals that it may be wheels up towards a recovery. While there is increasing demand for regional airlines, that doesn’t mean it’s clear skies for challenges. The airline…
Tribunal quashes small claim from owner of water-damaged strata unit
April 29, 2021 by Greg MeckbachYour client owns a strata apartment in a high-rise. Water starts coming in from the ceiling from the unit above. The night security guard visits the higher of the two units but neither the occupant nor the security guard can…
Airbnb sees promise in rural Canada as company slowly rebuilds from pandemic lull
April 29, 2021 by Tara Deschamps - THE CANADIAN PRESSWhen the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world last year, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky watched business shrivel up at record speed and his company’s phonelines flood with cancellations, eventually leading him to lay off 1,900 workers. But under that cloud…
Why IBAC foresees a national flood insurance program
April 28, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe recently-released federal budget gives brokers reason to be optimistic that Canada will eventually have a national flood insurance program for homeowners, the head of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada suggests. “The commitment from the federal government is clear…
What courts say about vacancy exclusion when elderly homeowner client moves to a care home
April 27, 2021 by Greg MeckbachAn elderly homeowner’s health takes a turn for the worse, necessitating a move into a care home. The client still owns her original home, which suffers water damage. The insurer denies the claim on the grounds that the property is…
Ontario introducing harsher penalties for speeding, stunt driving
April 27, 2021 by John Chidley-Hill - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – Ontario plans to increase penalties for speeding, stunt driving and other traffic violations, saying it has seen a spike in the offences since the pandemic hit. The government introduced legislation Monday that would, among other things, increase vehicle…
The ‘low hanging fruit’ for claims innovation
April 26, 2021 by Greg MeckbachCollecting high-resolution images, making it easy to report a loss, and integrating the service providers into the claims process are claims innovations carriers need to bring in if they are not already, InsurTech North speakers suggested last week. “Make it…
COVID’s effect on Canadian auto and property rates
April 22, 2021 by Jason ContantEndorsements to auto policies as a result of changing driving habits from COVID-19 are resulting in average premium rate renewal decreases across most of the country, according to Applied Systems’ latest rating index report. Personal property rates, on the other…
Ontario judge urges legislature to deal with insurance fraud
April 22, 2021 by David GambrillAn Ontario judge has taken the rare approach in a sentencing decision to urge the provincial government to take steps to prevent future instances of insurance fraud. Ontario Court Justice David S. Rose made the obitur remarks in his written…
Alarms being installed on B.C. river and dam following fatal water release
April 22, 2021 by The Canadian PressVANCOUVER – An interim public alarm system is being installed on the Cleveland Dam and along the Capilano River in North Vancouver to prevent future deaths from a sudden release of water. Five people fishing on the river last October…