Topic Legal
Ontario appeal court upholds decision on 60-day limit for FSCO mediation wait
November 29, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Court of Appeal for Ontario has upheld a decision by a lower court to dismiss the appeals by insurers, in a case involving the wait time for mediation from the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO). The case, Hurst…
Executor liability product aims to cover increasingly risky role
November 29, 2012 by Harmeet Singh, Online EditorAs much of the country’s population grows older, many Canadians are being thrown into an unfamiliar new role – one that arguably has become more risky over time. The risk that comes with being the non-professional executor of a will…
Some anti-fraud task force recommendations need work: OTLA
November 26, 2012 by Harmeet Singh, Online EditorThe Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) has responded the recent final report from a task force on auto insurance fraud in the province, and while it says it’s supportive of most recommendations, some of them could use some work. Among…
Absence of adjudication may feed future tort in Ontario auto
November 23, 2012 by Angela Stelmakowich, EditorA lack of adjudication relating to Ontario’s minor injury guideline (MIG) is creating uncertainty and could set the stage for a large increase in bodily injury (BI) tort, George Cooke, CEO of The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, suggested…
No limit to liability for environmental cleanup costs in Ontario: Lawyer
November 7, 2012 by Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorProperty owners may be asking their insurers to increase the limits on insurance policies covering environmental cleanup costs in the wake of some recent rulings in Ontario, one lawyer says. Rosalind Cooper, a partner with Fasken Martineau, delivered a presentation…
DAS Canada launches DASbusiness policy for Quebec
November 5, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterSpeciality legal expense insurer DAS Canada has launched its DASbusiness policy in Quebec, offering a week of free phone legal advice.The policy covers legal fees associated with issues such as staffing, tax filings and outstanding invoices. “With the average price…
New privacy regulation requires “mature” corporate governance: Lawyers
October 25, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterWith the increase in data flowing over electronic networks, insurance firms need to take heed to a privacy management document released earlier this year by regulators, two lawyers suggested at a recent industry event. A guidance document, titled Getting Accountability…
Four insurance companies reach tentative agreement on 1998 ice storm lawsuit
October 23, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterFour of the 19 insurance companies named in a class action lawsuit launched by consumer association Option consommateurs following the 1998 ice storm in Ontario and Quebec have agreed to pay $12.5 million, without admitting liability. The tentative agreement was…
New product aims to help small businesses avoid heavy commercial vehicle legal costs
October 22, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterSpecialty legal expense insurer DAS Canada has launched a new product to help protect small businesses from major legal costs associated with their commercial vehicles. DAStransport is meant to “fill the gaps in traditional commercial vehicle insurance coverage,” the company…
How the time-out at Queen’s Park will affect the auto and property insurance industry
October 16, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterWith the Ontario legislature prorogued, several measures that would affect the industry, including efforts to fight auto insurance fraud, will be delayed, according to officials with two industry associations. On Monday night, Premier Dalton McGuinty announced he would be stepping…
Study indicates average cost of data breach increases to $3.7 million
October 10, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterLegal damages accounted for the majority of the $3.7 million average cost per data breach that occurred between 2009 and 2011, notes a new whitepaper from NetDiligence, based in Philadelphia. Cyber Liability & Data Breach Insurance Claims: A Study of…
XL Foods admits food safety protocols were lacking after beef recall expands again
October 5, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterXL Foods, the producer involved in a major beef product recall, has said it takes full responsibility for its facilities and the food there, and will work to improve plant standards. In an Oct. 4 statement published by several media…