Topic Commercial
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…
Charges laid in fatal 2021 tug boat sinking off B.C. coast
February 9, 2023 by The Canadian PressPRINCE RUPERT, B.C. – Charges have now been laid against a tug and barge company and one of its senior officials two years after a tug sank off British Columbia’s coast south of Kitimat, killing the captain and one crew…
Despite inflation easing, Intact expects ongoing hard market
February 8, 2023 by David GambrillDespite lower inflation, Intact Insurance is nevertheless predicting an ongoing hard market in Canada in 2023 because of higher reinsurance rates and elevated natural catastrophes. “Looking at the [Canadian P&C insurance] industry, we see hard market conditions continuing, given rising…
Industry vet joins new brokerage
February 7, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoIndustry veteran Paul Martin has been appointed as chief operating officer of Lawrie Insurance Group. Previously, Martin was president and COO of KRG Insurance Brokers for more than 40 years — a position he maintained when KRG merged with RRJ…
Extension covering “influx of water” trumps broad form flood exclusion
February 6, 2023 by David GambrillA commercial property policy extension granting coverage for an “influx of water derived from natural sources” trumps a policy’s broad form flood exclusion, Alberta’s Appeal Court has found in a 2-1 split decision. A bowling alley in Fort McMurray, Alta.,…
Aviva Canada CEO on brokers’ role in climate change mitigation
February 6, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoBrokers and insurers both said natcats and climate change will be the second biggest issue heading into 2023, according to a Canadian Underwriter survey last month. But one group is more vocal about climate change than the other, one CEO…
Will cyber bonds help reinsurers transfer risk?
February 3, 2023 by Philip PoradoCan reinsurers transfer cyber risk to the capital markets? We may be close to finding out. Recently, two announcements about the issuing of insurance-linked securities (ILS) show there’s a potential to create a broader reinsurance source for cyber risk, said…