Topic Ontario
Ontario to take over licensing and oversight of tow truck industry
December 12, 2023 by David GambrillOntario is taking tow truck services out of the hands of municipalities and requiring tow truck operators to be certified and adhere to a Code of Conduct. “This marks the end of municipal regulation of towing and storage operators, with…
MGA acquires Echelon’s surety division
December 11, 2023 by Jason ContantMontreal-based managing general agency REVAU Advanced Underwriting Inc. has acquired Echelon Insurance’s surety division. “This acquisition aligns with REVAU’s focus on expanding its existing surety operations across Canada,” the MGA said in a press release Monday. “The teams’ shared values,…
Climate change battering municipal finances across Canada
December 11, 2023 by Thomas MacDonald - THE CANADIAN PRESSMONTREAL – The hamlet of Gore, Que., had the foresight to start preparing for more intense annual flooding due to climate change a decade ago. That’s when the rural township 60 kilometres northwest of Montreal began quadrupling the size of…
Private equity firm acquires digital brokerage
December 8, 2023 by Jason ContantPrivate equity firm Southampton Financial Inc. has announced its acquisition of Ontario-based digital insurance brokerage aha insurance. Launched in 2017, Waterloo, Ont.-based aha insurance offers consumers the ability to quote, purchase and manage car and home insurance policies entirely online.…
Where the feds stand with an earthquake backstop
December 7, 2023 by David GambrillCanada’s federal government is aware of the need for a government financial backstop for earthquake losses, but the question is, will an earthquake happen before then? Panellists at Canadian Underwriter’s 2024 Economic Outlook webinar Nov. 27 were asked if there…
U.S.-based insurance provider to acquire Sutton Special Risk
December 6, 2023 by Jason ContantNew York-headquartered insurance services provider Amynta Group has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire specialty insurance managing general underwriter (MGU) Sutton Special Risk Inc. “The acquisition of Sutton expands Amynta’s offerings in the accident and health market and accelerates…
Police, insurers collaborate to dismantle auto theft ring
November 30, 2023 by Jason ContantOntario’s Peel Regional Police (PRP) in collaboration with Équité Association have prevented more than $350,000 of insurance fraud by disrupting and dismantling an auto theft ring, the southern Ontario police force reported Wednesday. As part of the investigation dubbed Project…
Psychologist fined over accident benefits statements
November 29, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAn Ontario registered psychologist has been fined $15,000 and suspended from practice for a total of 24 months after a regulator found he made misleading accident benefits statements to insurers. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) has imposed…
How auto insurers responded to Ontario’s auto fraud announcement
November 24, 2023 by David GambrillOntario auto insurers are commending the provincial government for committing $18 million over three years to help police services combat and prevent auto theft. “Last year marked the first time in history when Canada’s insurers paid over $1 billion in claims…
The latest merger for McDougall
November 24, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoMcDougall Insurance Brokers Limited announced it has merged with Ontario-based M.B. Kouri Insurance Brokers Ltd. The brokerage will join operations with McDougall’s insurance and finance team to operate as an independent brokerage, McDougall announced in a press release. McDougall has…
What Ontario drivers might save by dropping DCPD coverage
November 23, 2023 by David GambrillOntario brokers are questioning the value of the Ontario government’s forthcoming new law allowing drivers to drop out of direct compensation property damage (DCPD) coverage for their cars. DCPD coverage is currently mandatory and protects policyholders in the event of…
Proactive climate adaptation can cut Ontario public infrastructure costs: watchdog
November 23, 2023 by Jordan Omstead - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – The dangers of a changing climate could add more than $4 billion per year to the cost of maintaining Ontario’s public infrastructure over the rest of the century, the province’s financial watchdog said Wednesday. But the report from…