Topic Construction
Remember 1970s stagflation? Why insurers should pay attention to the World Bank
June 7, 2022 by Philip PoradoLingering impacts of COVID-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have magnified a global economic slowdown and raised the risk of stagflation – in which long-term, feeble growth combines with high inflation – the World Bank says in its latest prospects…
Inflation creates need for brokers to revisit coverage levels with their clients
June 3, 2022 by Philip PoradoBrokers are typically leading conversations about inflation-driven insurance value adjustments for commercial building owners and builders, said Bernard McNulty, chief agent and head of claims, Allianz Global Corporate Specialty. But, he added, clients also are contacting brokers to inquire about…
Why insureds might need parametric coverage alongside conventional policies
June 1, 2022 by Megan LinkinWhen Hurricane Ida made landfall on Aug. 29, 2021, a handful of parametric insurance policies in Swiss Re Corporate Solutions’ portfolio were affected and potentially triggered. By Sept. 1, all relevant data for determining if the hurricane’s winds met policy-defined…
Insurers must defend, even if damage falls below the deductible
May 24, 2022 by David GambrillInsurers have a duty to defend in construction cases involving policy exclusions for a “work performed” or “own work,” even if the amount of property damage claimed falls under the policy deductible, Ontario’s Court of Appeal has ruled. In GFL…
Brokers beware: High inflation may catch up to claims valuation software
May 20, 2022 by Philip PoradoValuation models in software systems used by insurers to calculate replacement and restoration costs for commercial structures must be checked more often when inflation’s running high. That’s because costs for labour, lumber, drywall, concrete and other construction materials can jump…
5 key trends in the Canadian P&C market, according to Aon
May 18, 2022 by Canadian Underwriter StaffP&C insurers are actively managing how they deploy their global capacity for cyber insurance, and the underwriting process for that sector continues to gain rigor, said Aon’s quarterly global markets insights report. Although the frequency of cyber claims remained relatively…
Rising lumber, materials costs lead claims professionals to tweak their approach
May 16, 2022 by Philip PoradoWith the inflation rate at a 30-year high, specialists handling home reconstruction claims are making adjustments that reflect surging prices for construction components – including lumber, finishing materials and appliances. What started as supply chain problems, some of which were…
Where have all the good underwriters gone?
May 12, 2022 by Gloria CilliersFor years, insurers have poached commercial underwriters from one another amid M&A activity, an aging population and hard/soft markets. But that’s left the industry with less seasoned talent and slower investment in acquisition, training and retention. “Suddenly, more so than…
Construction to begin on flood mitigation project west of Calgary
May 5, 2022 by The Canadian PressCALGARY – Nine years after a catastrophic flood caused billions of dollars in damage to parts of Calgary and surrounding communities, work is to begin on a dam to protect the area from rising water in the future. Premier Jason…
Why Barrie’s 2021 tornado damage was “largely preventable”
May 4, 2022 by Jason ContantMore than 35 years after a deadly tornado in Barrie, Ont. – the site of another strong tornado last year – the industry is still looking for modernizations to the Ontario Building Code and tornado protection construction practices. “Since before…
Beware the tax implications of unlicensed insurance
May 3, 2022 by Jason ContantIf you’re looking to place a risk through an insurer that’s not licensed to write business in Canada, it’s important to understand the requirements around filing federal and provincial taxes, as well as special broker licenses. Although direct placement with…
How guaranteed replacement fits within a world of rising home costs
April 26, 2022 by Philip PoradoWhile federal budget proposals aimed at dampening home-price escalation may modestly help insurers control reconstruction costs for insureds, there’s another side to the conversation. What if it doesn’t work? Beyond price appreciation, lots of factors — like updates to building…