Topic Loss Trends
What’s smoking hot in cannabis insurance claims trends
February 24, 2021 by Jason ContantNearly two-and-a-half years after recreational marijuana was legalized in Canada, the country’s P&C insurance industry is starting to get a sense of the type of claims arising from the October 2018 legalization. The big issue right now is vaping, said…
Intact CEO’s forecast for auto rate relief in 2021
February 24, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIt could be up to a year before driving habits return to normal, but don’t expect many of your clients to pay less for auto insurance. Those were a couple of key takeaways from a recent Intact earnings call. “It…
Why business interruption lawsuits against Aviva got ‘carved off’ from Ontario class action
February 23, 2021 by Greg MeckbachAviva Canada is facing two proposed class-action lawsuits in Ontario from clients whose business interruption claims were denied during the ongoing pandemic. Allegations that Aviva has breached insurance contracts by denying BI claims have not been proven in court. Nordik…
Canada’s hardest-hit commercial lines — and a reason for optimism
February 18, 2021 by David GambrillCommercial lines market hardening in Canada — and globally — should continue through the early half of 2021, with some possible easing of rate increases during the second half of the year once vaccine rollout is widespread, an Aon report…
How much COVID business interruption claims could cost Fairfax
February 17, 2021 by Greg MeckbachBusiness interruption claims arising from the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to cost Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. nearly Cdn$300 million. Toronto-based Fairfax released Feb. 11 its financial results for 2020, reporting US$669 million in COVID-19 losses across all of its insurers.…
What’s making it harder to estimate property Cat claims
February 17, 2021 by Greg MeckbachRecent price increases in building materials means it is harder than normal to predict the cost of repairing property damage, restoration experts say. Restoration contractor Peak Services handled several thousand claims after the June 13, 2020, record hail storm in…
One knock-off effect of rising condo deductibles
February 16, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA large increase in deductibles on condo corporations’ insurance is starting to put pressure on individual condo owners’ premiums, a new report from LowestRates.ca shows. “When a deductible goes up – say from $20,000 a year to $100,000, or $200,000…
How COVID-19 has affected repair of vehicles from hail
February 12, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe COVID-19 pandemic has created some barriers to repairing vehicle and property damage – including a shortage of auto body parts, and a labour shortage impacted by Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) recipients who are reluctant to return to work,…
How much the second COVID wave will probably add to Intact’s claims costs
February 10, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIntact Financial Corp. has now reserved $106 million for claims related to COVID-19, with $23 million of that booked during the last three months of 2020. Intact initially set aside $83 million in reserves for COVID-19 claims during the three…
What the P&C industry is telling Wall Street about cyber risk
February 9, 2021 by Greg MeckbachCommercial insurers are taking a good look at their exposure to widespread cyber events and some are forming partnerships with tech vendors in the hopes of improving their clients’ cyber risk management. “The next pandemic – the exposure that looks…
Business interruption insurer could be sued by this Canadian restaurant owner
February 9, 2021 by Greg MeckbachAn Ontario-based restaurant company whose sales dropped more than 50% during the pandemic may be taking legal action against its business interruption insurer. In a recent securities filing, SIR Royalty Income Fund said its business interruption claim from the COVID-19…
2020 NatCats underscore need for insurers to collaborate with public sector: Aon exec
February 4, 2021 by David GambrillGlobally, the COVID-19 pandemic may not have affected insurers’ balance sheets in the same way that weather-related disasters did in 2020, but the industry is now much more aware of the impact of multiple catastrophe scenarios unfolding at once, an…