Topic Legal
Manitoba Public Insurance investigations led to $8 million in ‘fraud savings’ last year
January 3, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterEfforts by Manitoba Public Insurance’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) resulted in $8 million of fraud savings for rate payers in he province in 2013, according to the organization. The special unit investigates roughly 3,000 claims per year, according to MPI.…
Texting, dialing cellphone while driving raises crash risk especially for teens, study finds
January 2, 2014 by Marilynn Marchione, THE ASSOCIATED PRESSA sophisticated, real-world study confirms that dialing, texting or reaching for a cellphone while driving raises the risk of a crash or near-miss, especially for younger drivers. But the research also produced a surprise: Simply talking on the phone did…
High-end SUVs among most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada: IBC
December 19, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Honda Civic has topped this year’s top 10 list of most frequently stolen vehicles, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, but higher-end SUVs were also a target. The 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2DR is at the top of…
Manitoba broker, U.S. company partner to offer text-blocking mobile app in Canada
December 18, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterManitoba broker Waggoner Insurance has partnered with a Florida-based mobile applications provider to offer a text-blocking and distracted driving solution across Canada. The partnership and distribution agreement has created DriveAlert-Canada, which will offer Protext Mobility DriveAlert product. The app, currently…
FSCO seeking submissions for three-year auto insurance review
December 18, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Financial Services Commission of Ontario is requesting submissions for compiling its three-year report on auto insurance regulation in the province. The Insurance Act requires FSCO to conduct a review every three years of Part VI of the act (auto…
Public comment begins on $627 million in environmental restoration projects in Gulf of Mexico funded by BP
December 13, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThe United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced it is taking comments from the public on proposed US$627 million plan, to be funded by BP Exploration and Production Inc., towards 44 restoration projects to address losses caused…
Ontario court rules against property maintenance firm over two-year limitation period
December 12, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterAn Ontario judge recently ruled against a property maintenance firm which is being sued by a resident who slipped, fell and injured his back, noting the property manager’s insurer initially advised the plaintiff there were no potential defendants in the…
Ontario Auditor General issues warning over unfunded liability for auto insurance claims fund
December 12, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterOntario’s motor vehicle accident claims fund (MVACF) has an unfunded liability, no action has been taken since 2011 to address that liability and provincial officials estimate MVACF can only meet its financial obligations through the 2020-21 fiscal year, suggests the…
High River homeowners win right to go to arbitration to try for buyouts
December 11, 2013 by THE CANADIAN PRESSHIGH RIVER, Alta. – Homeowners in two southern Alberta neighbourhoods that were under water for almost a month have won a small victory in their fight with the Alberta government for compensation. A judge has awarded 18 families who own…
Federal politicians debate privacy breach notification bill
December 9, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterFederal politicians debated last week a privacy breach notification bill, with the former president of an insurance brokerage warning that Bill C-475, if passed into law, could result in “notification fatigue” among consumers. “The bill would require organizations to report…
B.C. court rules in favour of insurer in dispute over coverage for revenue loss after evacuation order
December 6, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterA British Columbia recently ruled this week in favour of St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company over a dispute on the scope of coverage of an “interruption by civil authority” clause in a commercial policy. On July 18, 2009,…
MADD Canada criticizes Ontario auto insurance law on 15% rate reduction
December 6, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Ontario government “needs to reassess its approach” to auto insurance because the mandated 15% reduction in premiums “will award the biggest cost savings to bad drivers, including impaired drivers,” according to MADD Canada. Last August, the Ontario Ministry of…