Canadian Underwriter

Topic Claims

Burnt out trucks from a wildfire in Drayton Valley, Alta. in May 2023
News AlbertaCatastrophesClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEmerging RisksEnvironmentalPersonal Home

Alberta to add firefighters for expected busy wildfire season: minister

February 9, 2024 by Bob Weber – The Canadian Press

Alberta will field more firefighters, more volunteers and more high-tech gear as it braces for what it expects will be another busy wildfire season, the province’s forestry minister said Thursday. And as the province faces a summer of possibly severe

Emergency warning alert on a smartphone
News B.C.CatastrophesClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEnvironmentalPropertyQuebec

When the national earthquake early warning system goes live

February 8, 2024 by Jason Contant

Canada’s national earthquake early warning system is expected to go live in British Columbia in April followed by Ontario and Quebec this fall, a program manager for the federal government told delegates at CatIQ Connect Wednesday. The system works by

Wildfire in Halifax
News CatastrophesClaimsCommercialConstructionEnvironmentalInsurersLoss ControlPersonal Home

Should the industry incentivize wildfire mitigation?

February 8, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatino

For the insurance industry, Canada’s record-breaking wildfire season should raise the question: Can we blame people for where they live?  Amid mounting wildfire risk, consumers need incentives from their insurers to apply retrofits that can protect their house from fire

Car thief with flashlight
News ClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveInsurersPersonal Auto

Feds devote $28M to beef up fight against stolen car exports

February 8, 2024 by The Canadian Press

OTTAWA – The federal government is earmarking $28 million in new money to help fight the export of stolen vehicles. The Liberal government said Wednesday the money will give the Canada Border Services Agency more capacity to detect and search

Senior Male Caucasian Golfer Driving off the Tee in Fall
News B.C.ClaimsLegalLiabilityPersonal Auto

A golfer’s shot hits a homeowner’s car. Is he liable for not shouting “fore”?

February 7, 2024 by David Gambrill

A golfer who doesn’t shout “fore” before his golf ball damages a nearby homeowner’s car isn’t necessarily liable to pay the auto owner’s insurance deductible. That’s because even if the golfer had issued the warning, the parked car couldn’t get

Flooded out house
News AdjustersClaimsClaims ProfessionalsEmerging RisksInsurersLoss ControlLoss Trends

Insurers bring Cat claims in-house: How independent adjusters adapt

February 7, 2024 by Jason Contant

Some major Canadian P&C insurers are bringing claims processes in-house, arguing it results in a better customer experience, cost efficiencies and consistent claims-handling. But that doesn’t mean the end is near for independent adjusters (IAs). They see a bright future

Accident between an e-scooter and a car.
News AlbertaB.C.ClaimsEmerging RisksInsurersLegalOntarioPersonal Auto

What types of injuries happen when e-scooters collide with cars?

February 6, 2024 by Philip Porado

As you might expect, roadways and especially intersections are the most common places for accidents involving e-scooters that lead to claims and lawsuits. “It’s difficult when a motor vehicle [is] following the rules of the road and, all of a

3D rendering of Hurricane Fiona over Nova Scotia
News CatastrophesClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEmerging RisksEnvironmentalNova ScotiaPersonal HomeProperty

Do we need a Category 6 for hurricanes?

February 6, 2024 by Jason Contant

Two climate scientists are questioning whether the open-endedness of Category 5 hurricanes is sufficient to communicate the risk of hurricane property damage in a warming climate. Michael Wehner of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and James Kossin of First

A vehicle buried under snow following a winter storm
News ClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEnvironmentalNova ScotiaPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Disruptions continue as Nova Scotia emerges from under heavy snow

February 6, 2024 by The Canadian Press

Cleanup in Nova Scotia could take days after more than a metre of snow piled up in some parts of the province over the weekend. Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan says Parks Canada will be sending snow removal equipment

Much of Nova Scotia paralyzed following snowstorm
News ClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEnvironmentalNova ScotiaPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Emergency declared in Cape Breton as snowstorm leaves much of Nova Scotia paralyzed

February 5, 2024 by The Canadian Press

HALIFAX – A local state of emergency remains in effect in parts of Cape Breton as Nova Scotia digs out from one of the heaviest snowfalls in 20 years. On Sunday afternoon, as a stalled low-pressure system continued to dump

Sign prohibiting e-scooters
News ClaimsInsurersLegalLiability

Who’s on the hook if e-scooter riders hurt pedestrians?

February 2, 2024 by Philip Porado

Many consumers facing sharply rising prices for automobiles, gasoline, and auto insurance are looking to save a buck by switching from four wheels to two. Electric standup scooters powered by small motors have become popular with people looking to get

Grouse Mountain in Vancouver
News B.C.Business InterruptionClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveCommercialEnvironmental

B.C. ski resorts shut as warm, wet weather strips mountains of snow

February 2, 2024 by The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER – All three of Metro Vancouver’s local ski hills are closed for a second day at what should be the peak of the season, as a spate of warm, wet weather strips mountains bare. Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour