Canadian Underwriter

Topic Ontario

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News BrokersHRMergers and AqcuisitionsOntarioOperations

Definity’s McDougall merges with McFarlan Rowlands 

May 8, 2023 by Jason Contant

Large Ontario brokerage McDougall Insurance Brokers Limited, a subsidiary of Definity Financial Corporation, has merged with another large provincial brokerage — McFarlan Rowlands Insurance Brokers Inc.  The combination of McDougall and McFarlan Rowlands represents more than $700 million in annual

Close-up of male lawyer working in office.
News BrokersHRLegalOntario

Court backs broker in dispute over buying his book of business

May 5, 2023 by David Gambrill

Ontario’s Appeal Court has denied an appeal by a St. Catharines, Ont. brokerage in a dispute over the contract terms of a producer buying out his book of business after he served notice he was leaving the brokerage. In Lindsay

Mergers and acquisitions concept
News BrokersCommercialCommercial AutoMergers and AqcuisitionsOntarioOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Westland expands reach in Ontario with latest acquisition

May 5, 2023 by Jason Contant

Westland Insurance has acquired Ontario-based First Durham Insurance & Financial Ltd., one of the largest and oldest full-service independent brokerages in the Durham Region. “Effective May 1, this acquisition helps Westland expand its reach in the important Ontario market,” Westland

Houses surrounded by water
News ClaimsEnvironmentalOntarioPersonal Home

Communities along Ottawa River declare emergency over flood

May 4, 2023 by The Canadian Press

Communities in eastern Ontario have declared states of emergency over flood risks as water levels are expected to peak today on the Ottawa River.   Whitewater Region Mayor Neil Nicholson says water is backed up along most of the township’s riverbanks

We've got ourselves a deal
News B.C.BrokersCommercialHRMergers and AqcuisitionsOntarioOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Navacord makes largest acquisition of the year

April 24, 2023 by Jason Contant

Navacord has made its fifth and largest transaction of the year with the acquisition of British Columbia-based SeaFirst Insurance Brokers, effective Apr. 1. With roots dating back to 1950, SeaFirst Insurance has since grown to one of the largest commercial

Collision between a bus and a car
News BrokersClaimsCommercial AutoEmerging RisksInsurersLiabilityOntarioPersonal Auto

How brokers should approach a client who wants to drop DCPD coverage

April 19, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Brokers with clients looking to save money would be better off helping them understand how affordable a coverage is, rather than opting out of OPCF-49, or Direct Compensation-Property Damage (DCPD) coverage, one expert told Canadian Underwriter.  Starting on Jan. 1,

stabbing with a knife, assault. Illustration. Black silhouette on rad background
News ClaimsInsurersLegalLiabilityOntario

Why Intact doesn’t have to defend a man found not criminally responsible for a knife attack

April 14, 2023 by David Gambrill

Intact Insurance does not have a duty to defend a man with schizophrenia who stabbed the owner of a firearms store while in the grip of a psychotic delusion, Ontario’s Court of Appeal has ruled. Brett Butterfield suffered a psychotic

Business merger and acquisition M&A concept
News AlbertaB.C.BrokersCommercialInsurersMergers and AqcuisitionsOntarioPersonal AutoPersonal Home

M&A transactions see Canadian and U.S. brokerages expand nationally

April 13, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

M&A activity this month has seen two major Canadian brokerages—Westland and Brokerlink—expanding their practices nationally, and one U.S.-based brokerage entering the Canadian market.  B.C.-based Westland Insurance expanded its P&C practice with three acquisitions across Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba in April. 

People survey the damage around their home in Montreal after the ice storm.
News AdjustersCatastrophesClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveClaims ProfessionalsEnvironmentalOntarioPersonal AutoPersonal HomeQuebecSupply Chain

How recent extreme weather compares to 1998 Quebec ice storm

April 12, 2023 by Jason Contant

The storm that struck Ontario and Quebec — leaving some Quebecers without power for more than a week — was large, but it was nothing compared to the infamous 1998 Quebec ice storm, industry professionals said. Catastrophe Indices and Quantification

Hand of man driving car on the road
News AlbertaInsurersOntarioPersonal AutoTechnology

Why Canadian drivers are increasingly turning to UBI

April 11, 2023 by Jason Contant

Canadian drivers are increasingly turning to usage-based insurance (UBI), particularly since the beginning of 2023, new data from rate aggregator RatesDotCa found. Quotes for UBI from the rate comparison site were up 18.22% year-over-year, RatesDotCa said Mar. 31. The data

Business team success and partnership
News BrokersCommercialManagementMergers and AqcuisitionsOntarioOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal HomeProperty

McDougall merges with 100-year-old brokerage

April 5, 2023 by Jason Contant

McDougall Insurance has merged with 100-year-old brokerage Rayburn Insurance Brokers Ltd., a fourth-generation family-owned business located in Tweed, Ont.  Rayburn Insurance has been in business since 1922. The brokerage serves Tweed, Northbrook and surrounding areas, offering home, auto, commercial, farm,

Storm water overflowing from a roof gutter
News ClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEnvironmentalOntarioPersonal Home

Thousands without power as Ontario hit with thunderstorms, heavy rains and snow

April 5, 2023 by The Canadian Press

Thousands of people in Ontario are without power after a messy mix of freezing rain and thunderstorms pummeled parts of the province, with downpours and possible ice storms still in the forecast. Hydro One says crews are responding as an