Topic Ontario
Why more Canadian drivers are using winter tires
November 14, 2023 by Jason ContantWinter tire use in Canada is increasing, with 71% of polled Canadian drivers outside of Quebec now using winter tires, up from 63% in 2022, according to a survey conducted by Leger for the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada…
The Top 10 stolen cars in Canada
November 14, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoFor the second year in a row, the Honda CR-V was the most stolen vehicle in Canada, according to Équité Association. The auto insurance fraud prevention organization today announced its Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Canada, which now includes…
BrokerLink completes triple acquisition
November 13, 2023 by Jason ContantBrokerLink has expanded its well-established footprint in the Greater Toronto Area with the acquisition of brokerages All-Risks Insurance (Burlington), Dowhaniuk Insurance and Heinsoo Insurance. BrokerLink announced Monday it completed the asset acquisition of Solutions Financial PCC Inc., operating as All-Risks…
Why hay barn fires catch insurers’ attention
November 9, 2023 by Jason ContantThe massive amount of water and firefighting resources required to put out hay barn fires is just one reason why these blazes are so stubborn, an industry professional said at the Farm Fire Summit last week. A multi-million-dollar hay barn…
What P&C brokerage buyers are really looking for
November 8, 2023 by Jason ContantBuyers of Canadian P&C brokerages are becoming more selective about the brokerages they will pursue, with an increase in demand for commercial lines-focused brokerages, a new report from advisory firm Smythe LLP says. P&C consolidators continue to diversify their acquisitions,…
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…