Topic Licensing
Unlicensed adjuster doesn’t fit the ‘expert’ exemption: Regulator
May 9, 2022 by David GambrillManitoba’s insurance regulator fined a former adjuster $500 and ordered him to pay partial investigation costs of $2,500 for acting as an adjustor without a licence and not, as the former adjuster claimed, as an ‘insurance expert’ helping claimants. Kenneth…
Insurance Act changes may help Alberta as insurers retreat from oil and gas
May 4, 2022 by Philip PoradoMajor insurers continue to announce they’ll cease issuing coverage to the oil and gas industry, which remains economically critical to Alberta and other Canadian provinces – and is poised to experience a demand boost as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian…
Beware the tax implications of unlicensed insurance
May 3, 2022 by Jason ContantIf you’re looking to place a risk through an insurer that’s not licensed to write business in Canada, it’s important to understand the requirements around filing federal and provincial taxes, as well as special broker licenses. Although direct placement with…
A car crashes in Ontario: Why Canadian auto insurers pay attention
April 13, 2022 by Daniel StrigbergerPeople love to visit Ontario. Unfortunately, some of them get into car accidents. Why should a visitor’s auto insurer care about accidents in Ontario? Because when a non-resident is involved in an auto accident in the province, their insurers will…
Regulators’ principles of conduct: Are ‘MGAs’ the same as retail brokers?
April 13, 2022 by Jason ContantThe Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) is proposing to adopt principles of conduct for insurance intermediaries, including adjusters, brokers, MGAs and third-party administrators. Whether the principles apply to MGAs in the same way as retail brokers is open…
Placing business with non-licensed markets: What to look for
March 31, 2022 by Greg MeckbachClients looking for property and casualty coverage have options other than insurers licensed to write coverage in Canada. But brokers and managing general agents say there are hazards and tax implications when placing with an unlicensed or non-admitted insurer. And…
Brokers and carriers react to MGA self-regulation
March 28, 2022 by Jason ContantProperty and casualty insurance carriers and brokers have embraced the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents’ (CAMGA) self-regulatory regime, the association’s managing director tells Canadian Underwriter. Late last year, CAMGA’s board and membership approved and adopted the undertaking as a…
What happens when a broker schemes to drive uninsured…
March 24, 2022 by David GambrillA former B.C. broker has been disciplined after she cancelled an auto insurance transaction and then affixed the cancelled sticker to her car’s licence plate, essentially allowing her to drive uninsured for several months. The former broker, whose licence has…
Why this broker was fined $700 after an acquisition
March 3, 2022 by David GambrillAn Alberta broker has been fined $700 for failing to transfer her broker’s license when the Co-operators General Insurance Company took over the ownership of her brokerage. Brokers in Alberta and other provinces must have a license that is connected…
Large brokerage reprimanded in credit card fraud case
February 14, 2022 by Jason ContantThe Insurance Council of British Columbia has reprimanded Westland Insurance Group Ltd. for failing to take appropriate action after becoming aware of a possible compromise of client information. Council executive director Janet Sinclair found that while Westland co-operated with agencies…
Looking to sell your brokerage? Here’s what to ask yourself first
January 21, 2022 by Jason ContantWhen it comes to selling your brokerage, timing is everything. Principals considering selling their brokerage should always ask themselves when is the best time to exit in terms of career and family situation, and then work backwards to plan from…
Ontario clients can operate these large trucks with no formal course
December 8, 2021 by Greg MeckbachTwo years after flagging the issue, Ontario’s auditor general says the transportation ministry has made “little to no progress” in mandating formal training for drivers of all large commercial vehicles. In Ontario, Class A licensed commercial operators need a formal…