Topic Ontario
Barrie tornado will cost more than originally estimated
October 28, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA bad storm system this past July will probably cost the industry about $100 million. On July 15, several tornadoes touched down in central Ontario. One caused irreparable damage to dozens of homes in Barrie, about 100 kilometres north of…
Insurer remains committed to specialty auto market
October 27, 2021 by Jason ContantIf you’re looking to place non-standard auto coverage for your client, rest assured that one insurer remains committed to that marketplace. “Through Echelon, we are absolutely committed to being in that, I’ll use the word specialty market. I don’t like…
How important is brokerage size when it comes to broker compensation?
October 27, 2021 by Jason ContantWhen it comes to working with brokerages, embracing the future is more important than size, said Carol Jardine, president of Wawanesa Insurance’s Canadian P&C operations. “A broker who’s embracing the future today might not be that large, but if they…
Eagle Underwriting gets acquired, keeps own brand
October 26, 2021 by Greg MeckbachManaging general agent Eagle Underwriting Group Inc. has been acquired by GroupAssur, private equity firm Novacap Management Inc. announced Tuesday. “With Eagle, the objective was to get a broader spectrum of product,” said Jean-François Raymond, president of Montreal-based GroupAssur, in…
Intact discusses RSA talent, Wawanesa looks to expand footprint in Ontario
October 22, 2021 by Jason ContantLouis Gagnon, Intact Insurance’s president of Canadian operations, is pleased with the insurer’s integration of RSA into its operations and the calibre of talent it has acquired. At the beginning of June, Intact Financial Corporation and Danish insurer Tryg A/S…
Diversity, equity and inclusion: Asking the ‘uncomfortable’ questions
October 22, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIf you think it’s a challenge to improve diversity at your brokerage, you should also view it as an opportunity, Ontario brokers heard Wednesday at the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario convention. Many brokerages are family-operated, Gore Mutual chief people…
Ontario auto claim reduces employment insurance sickness benefits: federal judge
October 20, 2021 by Greg MeckbachAn Ontario auto claimant is facing a reduction in federal employment insurance (EI) benefits because she was getting income replacement benefits with her auto insurer. In 2019, Antonina Sennikova was involved in a motor vehicle accident that prevented her from…
Ontario auto claimants seek leave to appeal HST dispute to Supreme Court
October 13, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA dispute over the handling of sales tax in Ontario auto accident benefits claims could reach the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2018, several auto clients filed lawsuits in Ontario against accident benefits insurers. Plaintiffs allege those carriers either included…
How auto insurance rates are trending in Alberta, Ontario and Atlantic Canada
October 8, 2021 by Jason ContantAuto insurance rates plunged in Alberta and Ontario this spring, while rates stayed flat in Atlantic Canada, according to Q2 2021 results from LowestRates.ca’s latest Auto Insurance Price Index Report. In Alberta, rates decreased 11% quarter-over-quarter after a steep incline…
Home insurance can be more expensive in smaller towns: experts
October 8, 2021 by Salmaan Farooqui - THE CANADIAN PRESSAs some Canadians are priced out of larger cities and look to move to smaller communities, insurance experts say homebuyers should be aware that life in a small town can often mean higher home insurance premiums. According to financial products…
The latest acquisitions from Westland and Hub
October 7, 2021 by Jason ContantLarge brokerages Westland Insurance Group Ltd. and Hub International Limited have both announced recent mergers and acquisitions activity. On Tuesday, Surrey, B.C.-headquartered Westland said it had acquired personal and commercial lines brokerage Insurance Unlimited in Mississauga, Ont. The following day,…
Phasing out gas generation by 2030 would lead to blackouts, higher bills, report says
October 7, 2021 by The Canadian PressTORONTO – Ontario’s electricity system operator says phasing out natural gas generation by 2030 would result in rotating blackouts and higher electricity bills. The Independent Electricity System Operator examined the idea after 31 municipal councils in the province called for…