Canadian Underwriter

Topic Liability

Cutting Canadian dollars to represent price cuts
News BrokersCommercialInsurersLegalLiabilityLoss Trends

Why D&O price cuts may not be justified

February 15, 2024 by David Gambrill

Softer market conditions reported in some professional liability lines are premature and unjustified, a global reinsurer told September’s National Insurance Conference of Canada (NICC) in Montreal. The NICC reinsurance panel followed a presentation on the global economy by Swiss Re’s

E-scooter accidents are going to cause problems for Canadian cities because of vague insurance rules and lax enforcement.
News ClaimsEmerging RisksInsurersLegalLiabilityLoss TrendsPersonal AutoPersonal HomeProperty

Lax e-scooter insurance spells trouble for Canadian municipalities

February 12, 2024 by Philip Porado

Based on what’s taking place in other jurisdictions, lawsuits over accidents involving e-scooters will likely rise in Canada – particularly in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, where some municipalities permit their use on public streets, park trails, or sidewalks. Municipalities

Senior Male Caucasian Golfer Driving off the Tee in Fall
News B.C.ClaimsLegalLiabilityPersonal Auto

A golfer’s shot hits a homeowner’s car. Is he liable for not shouting “fore”?

February 7, 2024 by David Gambrill

A golfer who doesn’t shout “fore” before his golf ball damages a nearby homeowner’s car isn’t necessarily liable to pay the auto owner’s insurance deductible. That’s because even if the golfer had issued the warning, the parked car couldn’t get

Sign prohibiting e-scooters
News ClaimsInsurersLegalLiability

Who’s on the hook if e-scooter riders hurt pedestrians?

February 2, 2024 by Philip Porado

Many consumers facing sharply rising prices for automobiles, gasoline, and auto insurance are looking to save a buck by switching from four wheels to two. Electric standup scooters powered by small motors have become popular with people looking to get

Secure receiving and sending of messages
News AdjustersClaimsClaims ProfessionalsInsurersLegalLiabilityOntarioPersonal Auto

Why the court denied an auto insurer’s ‘shockingly intrusive’ motion

January 30, 2024 by David Gambrill

Editor’s Note:  The Ontario Superior Court decision incorrectly identified the auto insurer in this case as Echelon Insurance. Echelon has contacted Canadian Underwriter to confirm it has reached out to the court to correct the public record and it did

Food delivery driver in action
News BrokersClaimsInsurersLegalLiabilityPersonal Auto

How accident claims hit rideshare drivers’ personal auto policies

January 26, 2024 by Philip Porado

There seems to be a disconnect between drivers and their insurers about the ability to access personal auto coverage when driving for food delivery or rideshare companies like Uber, Lyft and others. While there’s no hard data to quantify a

Red pumpjack in Alberta
News AlbertaClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEnvironmentalInsurersLiability

Alberta releases liability estimate for well cleanup

January 23, 2024 by Bob Weber - The Canadian Press

Alberta’s oil and gas producers spent nearly $700 million in 2022 on cleaning up the hundreds of thousands of old wells that dot the province, the regulator’s first report on the extent of those liabilities indicates.  That’s 65 per cent

personal injury medical assessment
News ClaimsInsurersLegalLiabilityOntario

Why a court upheld a $175K personal injury award against Ontario Place

January 18, 2024 by David Gambrill

Ontario’s Court of Appeal has upheld a $175,000 damage award against Ontario Place in Toronto, finding that Ontario Place had blocked people’s access to the main exit and failed to erect barriers that would have prevented people from leaving the

Icicle hangs from edge of building
News AdjustersClaimsClaims ProfessionalsCommercialInsurersLiabilityLoss ControlPersonal HomePropertyQuebec

Roof collapses feared if freezing rain follows heavy snowfall

January 16, 2024 by David Gambrill

Fearing a wave of roof collapses could occur in the short term, Toitures Hogue, a large Quebec roofer, is urging owners of commercial, industrial and/or institutional buildings to be cautious and proactive in advance of a freezing rain forecast over

Soccer player trying to slide tackle his opponent
News B.C.ClaimsInsurersLegalLiability

Is sports liability case headed to Canada’s top court?

January 11, 2024 by David Gambrill

A “dangerous” sporting play causing injury to another player — even if the move was permitted within the rules of play — can give rise to sports negligence liability, the B.C. Court of Appeal has affirmed. The decision points to

Single wind turbine, a coal burning power plant with pollution and electricity pylons in the background.
News BrokersClaimsCommercialEnvironmentalLiability

Why your clients may be exposed to more climate change claims

January 4, 2024 by David Gambrill

Your business clients may face increased exposure to climate change liability claims, based on a recent decision by the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA). “With strong language, the Federal Court of Appeal affirmed the ‘existential challenge’ posed by climate change

Two employees have a discussion on career possibilities
News CommercialEmerging RisksInsurersLegalLiabilityManagementOperations

The down low on D&O risk in 2024

December 18, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Clients will benefit from competitive market pricing for directors and officers (D&O) insurance in 2024, but can expect underwriting discipline to return, says Allianz Commercial’s D&O insurance report.  Of particular concern is inadequate responses by company directors and officers to