Topic Ontario
Brokerage, carrier partner up to offer digital auto coverage
November 7, 2023 by Jason ContantSquare One Insurance Services and Zurich Canada have partnered to offer personal auto insurance to Ontario drivers, with a Quebec and Alberta rollout planned for early 2024. “What sets this offering apart is our fully digital experience that allows our…
Why Ontario thinks auto theft needs a federal approach
November 3, 2023 by Jason ContantOntario’s provincial government is urging a federal and multi-jurisdictional approach to combat auto theft in Canada. In its 2023 Fall Economic Statement released Thursday, the government called for the Canada Border Services Agency, RCMP, Montreal and Halifax port authorities, as…
Will building code changes affect farm fire severity?
November 2, 2023 by Jason ContantWith changes from the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) in the process of becoming law in Ontario next spring, farm insurance experts are raising concerns that the maximum barn size restriction will be removed and Ontario’s Fire Code (OFC)…
Ontario hospitals warn stolen patient, employee data may be published
November 2, 2023 by The Canadian PressFive Ontario hospitals affected by a recent ransomware attack, along with their shared IT provider, are warning patients and staff that their data may be published. The attack caused an outage of some online services at Bluewater Health, Chatham-Kent Health…
McFarlan Rowlands acquires two brokerages
November 1, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoMcFarlan Rowlands Insurance Brokers Inc. today announced the acquisition of McConville Omni Insurance Brokers Ltd. and T.G. Colley & Sons Ltd. These acquisitions enable McFarlan Rowlands to expand in the southwestern Ontario region, the brokerage said in a release. …
Coastal storms: Could U.S. scenario happen here?
November 1, 2023 by Philip PoradoIncreasing intensity of hurricanes making landfall along the U.S. coastline, sparked largely by climate change, has resulted in significant insured losses for several years. And storms seem to be getting worse. That trend impacts insurability and, going forward, “property values…
How to build environments that reduce staircase injuries
October 31, 2023 by By Dr. Andrew Huntley and Claire Miller, 30 Forensic EngineeringAs research drives new ways to build staircases that can prevent slip-and-falls, Canada’s building codes should be updated accordingly to reflect the safer designs. The importance of code updates is illustrated by falls on stairs, which in Ontario alone led…
Why McFarlan Rowlands decided to sell
October 27, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoA desire for scale, coupled with a rapid succession of shareholder retirements, compelled McFarlan Rowlands to sell to a subsidiary of Definity earlier this year, a senior exec told the Insurance Brokers’ Association of Ontario’s annual convention in Toronto. …
Accelerant scoops up Omega Insurance Holdings
October 27, 2023 by David GambrillAccelerant Holdings U.K. Ltd. has officially entered the Canadian property and casualty insurance market, closing the deal to acquire Omega Insurance Holdings Inc. from Till Capital Corporation. Accelerant will pay Till Capital approximately $13 million Cdn in exchange for all…
Why auto insurance concerns might hinder electric vehicle adoption
October 26, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAs governments gear up for a national push toward electric vehicles (EVs), Canadians are harbouring anxieties about their auto insurance policies. Seventy eight per cent of Canadians are concerned about the cost of their insurance premiums on an electric vehicle,…
Make sure your talent recruiter is licensed — or else!
October 25, 2023 by David GambrillIf your Ontario P&C business is using a recruiter or temporary staffing organization to find talent, make sure they’re licensed as of Jan. 1, 2024. Otherwise, you may be subject to a hefty fine in the New Year. As of…
Where auto and home insurance rates are headed
October 24, 2023 by Jason ContantHard market conditions in personal lines across Canada are not slowing down in 2023 Q3, according to data from tech vendor Applied Systems. Auto and homeowner premiums are rising year-over-year in all provinces. In 2023 Q3, personal auto premiums in…