Topic Loss Control
Tips for insuring properties worth more than $500 million
October 2, 2023 by Philip PoradoCoverage for high-value real estate, defined as sites worth $500 million or more, is often based as much on how those sites are used as on the physical assets themselves. Multi-use sites, where activities like manufacturing, distribution, logistics and management…
How generative AI is enabling cyber criminals
September 29, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoGenerative AI is revolutionizing how cyber criminals enact their scams, making their targets fail to detect what would usually be obvious phishing attempts, experts shared with Canadian Underwriter. As these threats become more and more sophisticated, insureds must exercise…
How insurance helps when converting office buildings to housing
September 29, 2023 by Philip PoradoCanada’s housing crisis has deepened since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. And when office vacancy rates across Canada topped 17% in 2022 Q4, calls grew louder to convert some of that unused commercial space into residential units. What’s more,…
What it will actually take to reduce human error in cyber security
September 26, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoHumans are still the weakest link when it comes to cyber security, but preventing simple slip-ups means creating a workplace culture where employees are comfortable raising their security concerns, one expert shared. Human error is consistently a major driver in…
How well the industry protects policyholders against insolvency
September 22, 2023 by Jason ContantCanada’s P&C insurance industry compensation fund will almost entirely protect both personal and commercial lines policyholders in the event of an insurer insolvency, a comprehensive review of coverage and benefits has found. Should an insurer member of the Property and…
How Canada’s P&C insurers are faring under IFRS 17
September 21, 2023 by Jason ContantDespite significant changes to financial statements from IFRS 17, 2023 is shaping up to be an “average” year at best for Canada’s P&C insurers, even as continued Cat events remain likely to negatively impact Q3, says a new report. In…
How ransomware claims are trending
September 20, 2023 by Jason ContantRansomware claims have transformed from mostly third-party liability claims into first-party liability, a cyber insurance expert tells Canadian Underwriter. “It used to be third-party liability; you were concerned about monitoring credit, and somebody sues you because of a hack,” said…
Why captives will stick around after a hard market
September 20, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoCanada’s P&C insurance industry is showing signs of market softening in some lines, but captives remain a viable option for commercial clients — particularly in fledgling tech industries such as cryptocurrency. Alternative risk transfer solutions have merit even when hard…
What’s driving challenges in commercial property?
September 19, 2023 by Jason ContantChallenges in the Canadian commercial property insurance market continue to be a focal point throughout 2023, primarily driven by NatCat concerns and reinsurance costs, Aon said in its Fall 2023 Insurance Market Update Canada report. “The property market continues to…
Why insurers worry about clients’ crime coverage
September 15, 2023 by Alyssa Di SabatinoAs clients tighten their purse strings in anticipation of an economic downturn, they are increasingly underinsured for their crime-related losses. Crime insurers are seeing an uptick in social engineering (i.e., phishing) claims, says Katherine Gauthier, vice president of specialty solutions…
Why strong housing markets have builders tweaking their insurance
September 14, 2023 by Philip PoradoBooming real estate markets in many Canadian cities have top-tier developers considering building sites they might previously have written off. “Here in Toronto, we know the city was heavily industrialized with old manufacturers that were there 100 years before going…
Where brokers can find opportunity in a softer D&O market
September 13, 2023 by David GambrillAfter several years of a hard market, P&C industry executives report a plateau of price increases in directors and officers (D&O) lines. As fears of pandemic-fuelled losses fade, D&O lines are becoming more profitable and that’s leading to some increased…