Topic Environmental
Adjusters provide update on B.C., N.W.T. wildfires
September 6, 2023 by Jason ContantWildfires in British Columbia and Northwest Territories continue to present a mixed bag of claims for P&C adjusters. Claims adjusters are seeing a variety of both residential and commercial losses. “Major loss, total losses and less severe claims as well,”…
Canada ‘trailing partners’ on securing vital utilities and services: internal memo
September 5, 2023 by Jim Bronskill - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – A newly released federal memo concedes Canada is “trailing key international partners” who have updated their approaches to securing vital utilities and services from a growing array of risks. The Public Safety Canada memo says “new and rapidly…
Fire activity expected to kick up in N.W.T., Mounties warn against re-entering
September 1, 2023 by The Canadian PressYELLOWKNIFE – Fire activity along a key Northwest Territories highway is expected to kick up in the coming days, while Mounties say they’ll stop a potentially large group from trying to re-enter when an evacuation order is still in effect.…
Wildfire threat in B.C. continues as winds pick up during stormy weather
August 31, 2023 by The Canadian PressSeveral major wildfires continue to burn out-of-control in British Columbia’s Interior, where forecasted rain had been hoped to dampen blazes in parts of the Central Okanagan and the Shuswap. But Environment Canada data shows neither Kelowna’s airport nor Salmon Arm…
Adjusters respond to Kelowna fires as burn tally grows
August 30, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAfter close to 200 buildings burnt around Lake Okanagan, claims adjusters in Kelowna can expect to see claims range from personal and commercial across a swath of coverage types, an adjuster tells Canadian Underwriter. “Kelowna has a diverse geography with…
N.W.T. extends wildfire state of emergency
August 30, 2023 by The Canadian PressYELLOWKNIFE – A state of emergency in the Northwest Territories has been extended until Sept. 11. The territorial government declared it on Aug. 15 as wildfires threatened several communities, including the capital, Yellowknife. The move was meant to allow the…
Grapes of wrath: How the wildfires could burn your winery clients
August 25, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAs wildfires rage across Canada, wineries might struggle to keep smoke from tainting their crops. Such was the case for wineries operating in and around southern Oregon in 2020, said Heidi Moore, insurance agent for U.S-based Country Financial and host…
What the Nova Scotia floods cost insurers
August 24, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoA flood and rainstorm event that hit Nova Scotia in July is estimated to have caused over $170 million in insured damage, according to initial estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ). The atmospheric river event dropped more than…
Heavy rain aids in tempering B.C. wildfires in Shuswap, Okanagan regions
August 24, 2023 by The Canadian PressFirefighters in British Columbia’s southern Interior continue to battle a number of major blazes, having been aided by ample rainfall that fell Wednesday over the Okanagan and Shuswap regions. B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Forrest Tower says one weather station…
How much insurers can expect to pay for Canadian wildfires
August 23, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoCanadian insurers could see between $700 million and $1.5 billion in insured losses from this summer’s wildfire season, DBRS Morningstar predicts in new commentary. Despite the high loss figures, the claims incurred in 2023 Q3’s wildfire season will be manageable…
Yellowknife mayor says it’s too unsafe for residents to return to the capital city
August 23, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoYELLOWKNIFE — The mayor of Yellowknife says it’s not safe for residents to go home to the territorial capital, but notes city officials are working on a return plan as a fire continues to burn about 15 kilometres away. Most…
How wildfires are affecting some of Canada’s largest P&C insurers
August 22, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoDespite facing a heavy loss year and an unusually active wildfire season, four of Canada’s publicly traded P&C companies — Intact Financial Corporation, Fairfax Financial Holdings, Definity Financial Corporation and Trisura Group Ltd. — reported positive underwriting profits thus far,…