Topic Loss Control
What’s driving D&O rate increases for privately-held firms
September 11, 2020 by Greg MeckbachLawsuits from employees alleging harassment or discrimination is one reason for significant price increases in directors’ and officers’ liability rates. In Canada, commercial brokerage Gallagher is seeing an uptick in age and gender discrimination claims and workplace harassment claims under…
How bad Canada’s auto loss ratios are getting
September 11, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe Canadian industry’s loss ratio in auto liability has deteriorated for the fourth year in a row, A.M. Best Company Inc. has reported. Meanwhile, the loss ratio in “auto personal accident” deteriorated nearly 10 points. It increased from 70.4% in…
More than one way to define a Cat
September 3, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf you disagree with a co-worker on exactly what a catastrophe is, both of you could be right. There is no single standard definition of a “Cat,” with the industry’s loss costs — and even media coverage — among the…
Insurers adding pandemic exclusions in commercial policies that go beyond just BI
September 2, 2020 by Greg MeckbachMany insurers that did not start adding pandemic exclusions this past July may have to do so in January, a Winnipeg-based executive with commercial brokerage Gallagher reports. “The majority of insurers – or all insurers – are adding specific wording…
MGAs finding it harder to place this kind of commercial coverage
September 1, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf you are finding it difficult to place business interruption insurance for restaurants, hotels and event venues, you aren’t alone. Aurora Underwriting Services Inc., an Alberta-based managing general agent and Lloyd’s coverholder, is still placing insurance for restaurants, company owner…
Adjuster training: How the industry can up its game
August 31, 2020 by Greg MeckbachCanada’s property and casualty insurance industry needs to cross-train more claims adjusters if it wants to have enough property adjusters to be available in the event of a catastrophe, industry experts said last week. “Cross-training is important because it is…
What brokers can do more of to help their clients protect against flood risk
August 27, 2020 by David GambrillCanadians understand that flood damage has increased, but they don’t necessarily know to protect their homes against it, according to joint research conducted by RSA Canada and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada. The research suggests an opportunity for Canadian P&C…
The impact of MGAs getting more business
August 25, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIt is taking longer to get insurance placed through managing general agents because MGAs are getting more business in the hard market, one Ontario broker suggests. Many commercial accounts, which previously would have been handled by retail brokers, are now…
Intact’s Brindamour: Why the hard market could last for up to two more years
August 20, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA hard market in reinsurance is among three main reasons why primary insurance rates will continue to rise for brokers’ clients for at least another year or two, Intact Financial Corp. CEO Charles Brindamour suggests. In a recent virtual fireside…
Why it’s hard to make telematics ‘commercially viable’ in Canada
August 13, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf regulators continue to prohibit auto insurers from imposing surcharges when they detect risky driving behaviour through telematics, it will be difficult for usage-based insurance to be commercially viable, an Aviva Canada data science expert suggests. “Telematics is a good…
Hot Lines
August 10, 2020 by Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorA surge in directors and officers liability claims, withdrawal of some carriers from hospitality and high-profile cyberattacks are among the big trends now in commercial specialty
Policies under the microscope
August 7, 2020 by Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorHow the outcome of a test case in Britain over business interruption coverage during COVID-19 may reverberate throughout the Canadian commercial P&C market