Topic Nova Scotia
Why size matters to Western Financial Group
March 4, 2021 by Greg MeckbachSome brokers are entering into mergers or partnerships so they can more easily place hard-to-find coverage, according to one brokerage executive. “We just feel that some brokers who do not necessarily have our volume are struggling to find market support…
How Western Financial made its presence known in Atlantic Canada
March 1, 2021 by Greg MeckbachWestern Financial Group is taking a non-controlling interest in Saint John, N.B.-based Huestis Insurance Group. The exact terms of the deal, announced Feb. 23, were not disclosed, other than it will give the High River, Alta.-based Western Financial a “significant”…
Regulator allows Co-operators to use credit score for rating auto
February 9, 2021 by David GambrillFollowing in Aviva Canada’s footsteps, Co-operators General Insurance Company has received approval from the Nova Scotia auto insurance regulator to use credit scoring as a rating factor to help price auto insurance rates for private passenger vehicles. “The company proposed…
Punishing winter storm belts East Coast with heavy snow and high winds
February 8, 2021 by The Canadian PressHALIFAX – Most of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland are being pounded by heavy snow and high winds Monday, creating whiteout conditions in many areas. The storm moved into the Maritimes overnight heading west to east and is…
Messy winter storm slams into the Maritimes
February 2, 2021 by Michael MacDonald - THE CANADIAN PRESSHALIFAX – A winter storm lashed the Maritimes with strong winds, snow and ice pellets on Tuesday, causing power outages and forcing the closure of schools and businesses. Snowfall and winter storm warnings were issued for much of the region,…
Canadian auto and property insurance rates headed in opposite directions
February 1, 2021 by Jason ContantAverage personal auto premium rates in Canada decreased 2.6% in 2020 Q4 compared to the same period in 2019, but some provinces did see an increase, according to the latest results from Applied Systems’ premium rate index. On average, both…
Winter storm churning out powerful winds expected to slam into Atlantic Canada
February 1, 2021 by The Canadian PressEnvironment Canada has issued a series of weather warnings for the Atlantic region, as a winter storm is expected to deliver an ugly mix of snow, rain, ice pellets and strong winds on Tuesday and Wednesday. Snowfall warnings are in…
Heartland Farm Mutual proposes merger with The Kings Mutual
January 18, 2021 by Jason ContantHeartland Farm Mutual Inc. and The Kings Mutual Insurance Company have reached an agreement to merge under the name Heartland Farm Mutual Inc. Waterloo, Ont.-based Heartland Farm Mutual and Berwick, N.S.-based The Kings Mutual Insurance Company announced the proposed merger…
The role of digital transformation in Westland’s acquisition strategy
January 14, 2021 by Jason ContantExpanded opportunities for digital transformation are one of the key reasons behind Westland Insurance Group Ltd.’s recent acquisition of Storm Insurance Group, Westland told Canadian Underwriter Tuesday. British Columbia-based Westland closed its acquisition of Storm Jan. 7. Storm operates under…
As workplace infections rise, employers grapple with ‘ambiguous’ mask rules
January 14, 2021 by Brett Bundale - THE CANADIAN PRESSHALIFAX – On the factory floor, masks were optional. Until last month, workers at TEC Business Solutions’s corrugated packaging plant in Mississauga, Ont. underwent a COVID-19 screening, had a temperature check and sanitized their hands – but once inside and…
Brokerage M&A off to a strong start in 2021
January 7, 2021 by Jason ContantLarge Canadian brokerage Westland Insurance Group Ltd. now has a coast-to-coast presence with its acquisition of Storm Insurance Group, which has offices in Nova Scotia and Quebec. The deal, which closed Wednesday, is one of three acquisitions closed or announced…
Thousands of Nova Scotians without power after first winter storm of 2021
January 4, 2021 by The Canadian PressHALIFAX – A prolonged holiday warm spell ended with a vengeance over the weekend across Atlantic Canada, leaving double-digit snowfall totals in three provinces and thousands of Nova Scotia residents in the dark on Sunday. The website for Nova Scotia…