Canadian Underwriter

Topic Construction

Construction site accident
News ClaimsCommercialConstructionLegalLiabilityProperty

Who’s responsible when construction projects go wrong

March 13, 2024 by By Dr. Yasser Korany, KSI Engineering

Construction project delays can expose commercial insurers to significant claims costs. Canada’s property and casualty insurance market collected more than $748 million in direct written premiums for surety bonds in 2022, per Canada’s solvency regulator, the Office of the Superintendent

Damage after a load fell from a crane in Vancouver
News B.C.ClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveCommercialConstructionEmerging RisksProperty

Crane accidents ‘a huge concern’ after fourth incident in Metro Vancouver

March 6, 2024 by Chuck Chiang and Brenna Owen – The Canadian Press

In 30 years of working in construction, Josh Towsley says this is a first, after Metro Vancouver saw its fourth crane accident since the start of the year. “I’ve been involved in construction since I was 19 years old …

Engineer using thermal camera to inspect home
News CommercialConstructionInsurersPersonal HomeProperty

Co-operators acquires home inspection firm

February 16, 2024 by Jason Contant

The Co-operators has entered the home services line of business with the acquisition of the parent company of home inspection firm Carson Dunlop & Associates Ltd. Co-operators Financial Services Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Co-operators Group Limited, announced the

Building demolished by an earthquake, Christchurch, New Zealand
News BrokersClaimsCommercialConstructionInsurersLegalPersonal Home

The post-pandemic broker E&O trend, and how to prevent it

February 13, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Many clients’ commercial property limits aren’t being adjusted for inflation, and that’s unduly exposing brokers to errors and omissions (E&O) claims, one commercial litigation lawyer observed.  Inflationary increases are typically applied to all building values upon renewal. The problem is,

Construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline
News AlbertaB.C.ClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveCommercialConstructionEnvironmental

Regulator calls out Trans Mountain for ‘environmental non-compliance’ in B.C.

February 12, 2024 by The Canadian Press

CALGARY – The company building the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has been cited for environmental non-compliance related to its management of recent flooding in B.C. The Canada Energy Regulator said Thursday its inspection officers found issues near Abbotsford, B.C., where

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

Repair team in a storm damaged building
News ClaimsCommercialCommercial AutoConstructionLoss TrendsPersonal AutoPersonal Home

How reconstruction companies are improving repair timelines

January 22, 2024 by Alyssa Di Sabatino

A shortage of tradespeople isn’t making it easy for the restoration industry to recover from extended repair cycle times during the pandemic. While cycle times are starting to improve, frequent NatCats and a lack of qualified talent are stretching capacity

Removing damaged drywall
News ClaimsClaims TechnologyConstructionInsurersLoss ControlLoss TrendsPersonal Home

Can higher lodging costs cut restoration losses?

January 12, 2024 by Philip Porado

Insurers looking to reduce home restoration claims costs should find ways to avoid tearing out walls, flooring, rugs, trim and other major construction components. One insurer’s launched a program to do just that. The approach will lead to a “1%

Close up of an industrial bricklayer installing bricks to build back on a construction site
News AlbertaB.C.BrokersCatastrophesClaims ProfessionalsCommercialCommercial AutoConstructionEmerging RisksEnvironmentalInsurersLoss ControlLoss TrendsNew BrunswickNewfoundland & LabradorNova ScotiaOntarioP.E.I.Personal AutoPersonal HomePropertyQuebec

Should insurers help customers build back better…or not at all?

January 4, 2024 by Philip Porado

Increased severity and frequency of NatCats has Canada’s P&C insurance ecosystem seeking ways to add resilience to the claims process. This includes build back better initiatives to encourage adding things like hurricane straps or hail-resistant shingling to roof rebuilds to

Bernard McNulty
News BrokersCommercialCommercial AutoConstruction

2024 Executive Outlook |Bernard McNulty, Allianz Commercial

December 26, 2023 by Canadian Underwriter Staff

Bernard McNulty, Chief Agent, Canada, Allianz Commercial Many challenges our industry faced in 2023 will continue to be headwinds in 2024. These include climate change/natural catastrophes, cybercrime and inflation. The industry’s talent shortage will also continue to be a challenge in 2024.

Contractor on ladder with cell phone figuring out hail damage repair costs for customer.
News CatastrophesClaimsCommercialConstructionEmerging RisksEnvironmentalInsurersOntarioPersonal HomePropertySaskatchewan

How restoration firms are growing in Canada

December 14, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

With natural disasters on the rise, restoration firms are responding to the growing need through expansions and acquisitions, according to recent announcements.   Intact subsidiary On Side Restoration has acquired Superior Disaster Services Ltd., in a deal that closed Dec.

Office building for rent
News CommercialConstructionEmerging RisksInsurersLoss ControlLoss TrendsPropertyTrusted Advisor

How COVID-19’s wane could change commercial real estate coverage

December 13, 2023 by Philip Porado

Real estate pundits, including panellists at a Columbia University School of Business discussion early this year, are sounding the alarm about North America’s downtown cores. They’re predicting employees will shun return-to-office mandates, sparking tenancy death spirals for commercial lessors that