Topic Ontario
Navacord makes largest acquisition of the year
April 24, 2023 by Jason ContantNavacord 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…
How brokers should approach a client who wants to drop DCPD coverage
April 19, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoBrokers 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,…
Why Intact doesn’t have to defend a man found not criminally responsible for a knife attack
April 14, 2023 by David GambrillIntact 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…
M&A transactions see Canadian and U.S. brokerages expand nationally
April 13, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoM&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. …
How recent extreme weather compares to 1998 Quebec ice storm
April 12, 2023 by Jason ContantThe 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…
Why Canadian drivers are increasingly turning to UBI
April 11, 2023 by Jason ContantCanadian 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…
McDougall merges with 100-year-old brokerage
April 5, 2023 by Jason ContantMcDougall 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,…
Thousands without power as Ontario hit with thunderstorms, heavy rains and snow
April 5, 2023 by The Canadian PressThousands 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…
Can’t find defendants in auto liability cases? Don’t serve their insurers instead.
April 5, 2023 by David GambrillOntario’s Court of Appeal has laid down the law on trial lawyers habitually serving defendants’ auto liability insurers as a matter of course when they can’t find the defendants to serve notice of the lawsuit. Don’t do it. “As a…
First responders graduate from new Ontario First Nation fire program
April 4, 2023 by Fakiha Baig - THE CANADIAN PRESSA tribal council that represents five First Nations in northwestern Ontario says the first batch of local emergency medical responders from a new training program has graduated and will serve Pikangikum First Nation. The Independent First Nations Alliance says it…
Intact policyholder conflates ACV with replacement cost value
April 4, 2023 by David GambrillIntact recently won an appraisal dispute with an insured who originally claimed more than four times the market value of his business property after a fire, prompting the court to find the insured was conflating actual cash value (ACV) of…
Spouses don’t have to live under the same roof to qualify for family protection auto coverage
April 3, 2023 by David GambrillEditor’s Note: This article has been corrected to show that the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund (MVACF) has a $200,000 maximum legal liability and not $250,000, as initially reported. Canadian Underwriter apologizes for the error. Spouses don’t have to…