Topic Commercial
Why standard coverage for unions doesn’t cut it
May 15, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoUnions and corporations operate differently, and that means a union needs more tailored insurance coverage when an aggrieved member takes legal action, lest they find themselves underinsured, one expert told Canadian Underwriter. Standard policies typically exclude important coverages for unions,…
McDougall-McFarlan merger just the beginning for Definity
May 15, 2023 by David GambrillMcDougall’s $232-million merger with Ontario brokerage McFarlan Rowlands last week is only the beginning for Definity, which is seeking more M&A growth to put it into the Top-5 P&C insurance companies in Canada. In its 2023 Q1 earnings call, Definity…
Alberta regulator says Imperial Oil faces more water problems at oilsands mine
May 12, 2023 by Bob Weber - THE CANADIAN PRESSThe Alberta Energy Regulator has warned Imperial Oil about more wastewater problems at its Kearl oilsands mine in northern Alberta. The regulator has issued a notice of non-compliance to the company after chemicals associated with oilsands tailings were found at…
Vacant retail and office space: How to advise clients on this post-pandemic trend
May 12, 2023 by Philip PoradoWith office vacancy rates rising in many Canadian cities, brokers need to coach building owners on the need to manage their insurance obligations. A 2023 Q1 report from commercial real estate firm Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) Canada notes, “The…
Canadian P&C industry luminary to head over the pond
May 11, 2023 by David GambrillCanadian property and casualty insurance industry luminary Adrian Hall will be taking on a new role as head of Swiss Re Corporate Solutions’ UK, Ireland, South Africa and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and African) Wholesale division in September 2023. Hall…
Growth? Maybe. Why carriers aren’t promising a soft market yet
May 11, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoBeyond the obvious threats of inflation and a possible economic downturn later in 2023, a confluence of other issues is triggering duress for brokers and insurers, which has carriers cautioning the hard market isn’t over yet. Taken together, these factors…
Don’t let clients cheap out on cyber coverage
May 10, 2023 by Philip PoradoAs high-profile ransomware attacks continue to grab headlines, insurers providing directors and officers (D&O) coverage are concerned private company boards might not be managing cyber risk. “Are they allocating enough funds to cybersecurity? Are they going to have a lawsuit…
How is the cannabis insurance market faring?
May 9, 2023 by Jason ContantFour-and-a-half years after recreational marijuana use was legalized in Canada, cannabis companies continue to face a number of challenges, including insolvency, consolidation and low or flat growth, according to a recent report from EY Canada. “Established/mature markets — including Canada,…
Tips for advising commercial clients during economic downturns
May 9, 2023 by Alyssa Di SabatinoInflation and the looming threat of an economic downturn would seem like a one-two punch that would make commercial clients think about ways to skimp on insurance. But it isn’t necessarily so. “Insurance is not a discretionary spend for most companies,”…
Westland expands reach in Ontario with latest acquisition
May 5, 2023 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance has acquired Ontario-based First Durham Insurance & Financial Ltd., one of the largest and oldest full-service independent brokerages in the Durham Region. “Effective May 1, this acquisition helps Westland expand its reach in the important Ontario market,” Westland…
What your business clients need to know about generative AI risks
May 4, 2023 by David GambrillCommercial brokers and insurers should alert their business clients to new liability risks around intellectual property (IP), copyright and licensing associated with using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT, Dall-E and Bard. “Generative AI is a type of artificial…
Aviva reveals Number 1 risk facing Canadian businesses
May 3, 2023 by Jason ContantEconomic uncertainty remains the Number 1 risk facing Canadian businesses, according to Aviva Canada’s second annual Risk Insights Report. Based on a survey of nearly 1,500 Canadian business leaders, the report found one in three businesses stated they were “very…