Canadian Underwriter

Topic Liability

Blurred people moving quickly in the hallway
News BrokersClaimsInsurersLegalLiabilityOperations

Pace of P&C industry cited as a reason for more broker E&O claims

February 17, 2023 by David Gambrill

The frenetic pace required for brokers to meet the Canadian P&C insurance industry’s premium growth targets — not to mention keeping current with the kaleidoscopic transformation of products — is putting brokers in harm’s way, broker E&O experts told Live

Driver sleeping in self-driving car
News ClaimsCommercial AutoCyberEmerging RisksInsurersLegalLiabilityLoss ControlLoss TrendsPersonal AutoTechnology

When will self-driving tech consistently prevent crashes?

February 17, 2023 by Harrison Griffiths and Hannah Van Staveren

One aim of autonomous driving technology is to take the human element out of the driving ecosystem with an eye toward preventing collisions. But right now, autonomous driving technology can’t guarantee it will detect and react to road hazards earlier

Motorbike accident
News ClaimsInsurersLegalLiabilityOntarioPersonal Auto

Failure to tell an insurer about a new vehicle can mean trouble

February 16, 2023 by Philip Porado

A multiple-vehicle owner who failed to add a motorcycle to his insurance within a set time period is precluded from receiving benefits following an accident, said a Feb. 6 decision by Ontario’s Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) adjudicator Stephanie Kepman. On

Long-haul truck crossing grassy area
News AlbertaB.C.ClaimsCommercial AutoInsurersLiabilityManitobaSaskatchewanTechnology

How telematics may help Alberta truckers’ rates

February 9, 2023 by Philip Porado

With an eye toward improving driving habits, Facility Association (FA) announced the launch of a telematics program for truck drivers in Alberta, effective May 1, 2023. It said the program’s objective is to help drivers and operators correct poor driving

Condo owner calls her insurance company as the kitchen ceiling leaks
News B.C.BrokersClaimsLegalLiabilityPersonal HomeProperty

How an insurer’s report on a condo ceiling leak won the day

February 8, 2023 by Philip Porado

Repairs outlined in an insurance company’s assessment of damages at a British Columbia condo must be made by the strata, said a decision from the province’s Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT). Applicants in Rolfe v. The Owners, Strata Plan EPS3064 claimed the

Excited family tobogganing in snow
News InsurersLiabilityOntario

Councillors vote down controversial proposed tobogganing ban in Oshawa, Ont.

February 6, 2023 by Jordan Omstead - THE CANADIAN PRESS

A proposal to ban tobogganing at all but two municipal parks in a city east of Toronto was voted down after a lengthy council debate and a wave of public pushback. City staff in Oshawa, Ont., will instead look to

The Coastal GasLink pipeline under construction.
News B.C.ClaimsCommercialConstructionInsurersLiability

Unexpected construction issues, rising labour costs increase pipeline cost to $14.5 billion

February 1, 2023 by Amanda Stephenson - THE CANADIAN PRESS

CALGARY – The estimated cost of the Coastal GasLink pipeline has increased by 29 per cent to $14.5 billion, as the company behind the project continues to be dogged by unexpected construction issues and rising labour costs. Calgary-based TC Energy

Five Islands Lighthouse in Nova Scotia
News ClaimsLegalLiabilityNova ScotiaProperty

Lawsuit over fall at historic Nova Scotia lighthouse allowed to proceed

January 31, 2023 by Keith Doucette - THE CANADIAN PRESS

HALIFAX – An American tourist who alleges she was injured in a fall at Nova Scotia’s historic Five Islands Lighthouse in July 2017 can proceed with her lawsuit, a Nova Scotia judge has ruled. Mary Riddle of Pennsylvania is suing

Alberta's NDP is criticizing a governmental review of a program that's supposed to ensure oilsands companies can clean up their mines.
News AlbertaEmerging RisksEnvironmentalLiability

Review of oilsands cleanup funding program needs public input, says Alberta NDP

January 30, 2023 by Bob Weber - THE CANADIAN PRESS

EDMONTON – Alberta’s New Democrat Opposition says a government review of the program that’s supposed to ensure oilsands companies can clean up their mines was conducted too privately and should have been done in public.   Environment critic Marlin Schmidt

Dangling car key in front of a car
News ClaimsInsurersLegalLiabilityOntarioPersonal Auto

Borrowing cars and implied consent: When ‘No’ doesn’t mean ‘No.’

January 27, 2023 by David Gambrill

If a friend asks you to borrow your rental car, sometimes saying ‘No’ doesn’t actually mean ‘No.’ An auto repair shop owner in Ontario was held vicariously liable last Wednesday for an auto accident injury caused after his friend, who

Distorted image of the head of a road rager driving a car
News ClaimsInsurersLegalLiabilityOntarioPersonal Auto

Insurer wins third-party liability claim against road-rager

January 24, 2023 by David Gambrill

An insurer successfully brought a third-party liability claim against a road-rager who was found to be 50% responsible for an accident between two other vehicles as a result of his threatening actions. The insurers were not named in the Court

Hand in front of a blue backdrop, denying access
News ClaimsCommercialInsurersLiabilityPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Claims denials on their way down, regulator reports

January 23, 2023 by David Gambrill

Claims denial ratios for the stressed business lines of aircraft, liability and marine — which spiked during the pandemic in 2020 — are starting to return to their pre-pandemic levels, according to the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR). “For