Topic Commercial
Court approves insurer’s settlement over COVID flight cancellations
February 23, 2023 by David GambrillOntario’s Superior Court has approved a $4.8-million settlement in a class action lawsuit related to the denial of travel insurance claims by TD Home and Auto Insurance for cancelled flights during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that…
How automation’s shifting on-site claims work to bigger losses
February 23, 2023 by Philip PoradoCOVID-19 accelerated development of process efficiencies for insurance adjusters. Pre-pandemic, data-gathering and communications systems began shifting many claims to desk teams, creating efficiencies for adjusters by reserving site visits for complex cases. “What COVID did was expedite some of that…
Alberta, Saskatchewan methane emissions almost 4 times more than reported: research
February 21, 2023 by Jason ContantNew research using advanced technology suggests heavy oil facilities in Alberta and Saskatchewan are releasing almost four times the amount of a powerful greenhouse gas than they report to government. The research, published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology,…
Why 2022 was a good year for cyber insurers
February 21, 2023 by Jason ContantControls and underwriting actions that cyber insurers took over the course of 2020 and 2021 started paying off last year, a cybersecurity expert told Canadian Underwriter recently. “I think the cyber insurance industry in general had a much better year…
No one’s auto insurance was suspended under the Emergencies Act: Inquiry Report
February 21, 2023 by David GambrillPolice chose not to apply federal Emergencies Act measures to suspend the auto insurance policies of any Freedom Convoy protest participants last year, according to the Report of the Public Inquiry into the 2022 Public Order Emergency. “The duty to…
Why one cyber expert believes cyber insurance is in a good place right now
February 16, 2023 by Jason ContantThe cyber insurance market has never been in a more stable and positive position going into 2023, largely because of the learning experiences over the last two to three years, one cyber expert told Canadian Underwriter in an interview Wednesday.…
Will volatile stock markets spark claims against asset managers?
February 15, 2023 by Philip PoradoSo far, wobbly stock markets aren’t sparking higher claims activity for asset managers’ liability coverages. But the kinds of investor claims that lead to complaints against money managers often lag the equity markets’ overall performance, noted Reid Irwin, practice leader…
Westland acquires brokerages in two provinces
February 15, 2023 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance continues its expansion across Canada with acquisition of Quebec-based Niche Assurance Inc. and Saskatchewan-based Heritage Insurance, effective Feb. 1. The latest acquisitions come a month after industry veteran Doug Morrow joined Westland as its new vice president of…
Is there a better coverage solution for flood plain residents?
February 14, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWhen insurers recommend consumers pack up and move from their flood-prone homes, it’s easier said than done. That’s why the industry needs to come up with better resilience solutions and more efficient claims response to protect the customers most impacted…
Has Russia-Ukraine hindered insurers’ ESG plans?
February 13, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoInsurers with ESG plans are still sticking to their guns to stop backing fossil fuels and thermal coal, even as geopolitical events like Russia’s Ukraine invasion put strain on the international energy sector, an industry expert told delegates at CatIQ…
Indigo cyberattack highlights mounting prevalence, sophistication of hackers: Experts
February 13, 2023 by Brett Bundale - THE CANADIAN PRESSA cybersecurity incident stretching into its fifth day at Indigo Books & Music Inc. has illuminated the increasing risk of cyberattacks on Canadian companies and consumers, experts say. The ongoing outage of the bookstore’s website serves as a warning of…
Recent extreme cold snap causes ‘devastating’ damage to Nova Scotia vineyards
February 10, 2023 by The Canadian PressThe president of the Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia says it will take years for vineyards to recover from the recent extreme cold snap. Steve Ells says between 95 and 100 per cent of Nova Scotia-grown vinifera variety grapes…