Topic Personal Auto
By how much premiums increased in the first quarter
July 14, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWhile consumers might have noticed their insurance rates are still increasing, prices are flattening out compared to last year’s single- or double-digit increases, two new reports from Applied Systems showed. Commercial lines saw an overall rate increase of 7.39% in…
Large Canadian brokerages announce latest M&A deals
July 13, 2023 by Jason ContantCanadian P&C brokerage merger and acquisition activity continues to burn red-hot in the second half of 2023, with large brokerages BrokerLink and Acera Insurance announcing a combined three deals recently. BrokerLink acquired Ontario-based Donnell Insurance Brokers Ltd. and New Brunswick-based…
How much Intact paid in second quarter Cat losses
July 13, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoIntact Financial Corporation saw an estimated $335 million in catastrophe losses in Canada for the second quarter of 2023, the insurer revealed in a release. Comparatively, the company handled over a million claims and paid out over $10 billion globally in…
Don’t believe the hype: Why the hard market is softening
July 11, 2023 by David GambrillCanada’s P&C insurance industry is showing signs of market softening despite the many reasons for a hard market to persist, according to a June 2023 Marketplace Insights report from Lloyd Sadd, a Navacord brokerage. The report cites many reasons industry…
Is spilling coffee on yourself at a drive-thru an auto ‘accident’?
July 10, 2023 by Jason ContantOntario’s Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) has ruled in favour of Co-operators in an accident benefits case after finding a driver’s use and operation of his vehicle did not directly cause his injuries and thus did not meet the definition of…
How the pandemic changed adjusting for the long haul
July 10, 2023 by Philip PoradoCOVID-19 restrictions led adjusters to shift claims work to desktop teams. The change was driven by client reluctance to meet in-person and employees’ desire to reduce site work until the risks were better understood. But those changes can make some…
Will powerful Alberta tornado be declared a Cat?
July 7, 2023 by Jason ContantA powerful Canada Day tornado that swept through a section of rural Alberta likely won’t result in much insured damage despite strong winds that reached an estimated 275 km/h. The EF4 tornado tore through an area south of Didsbury, Alta.…
Why auto insurers are more likely to declare cars totalled
July 7, 2023 by Philip PoradoIs that car worth repairing? Given ongoing supply chain disruption and high inflation rates, the answer for insurers may increasingly be ‘no.’ “We see significant increases in rental costs,” said Kumar Siva, senior vice president for third party administration services…
Two insurance agencies rebrand as belairdirect
July 4, 2023 by Jason ContantIntact Financial Corporation subsidiary belairdirect has announced that agencies Johnson Insurance and Anthony Insurance will both rebrand as belairdirect. Beginning this fall, the car and home division of Johnson Insurance will gradually rebrand to belairdirect, with the group benefits and…
Which peril might bankrupt the Canadian P&C industry?
June 28, 2023 by Canadian Underwriter StaffOttawa’s effort to build policy around flood risk in the face of climate change is important, but it overlooks a peril that could be far more catastrophic for Canadian P&C insurers, Alister Campbell, president and CEO of Property and Casualty…
Large Canadian brokerage now operating coast to coast
June 28, 2023 by Jason ContantEditor’s Note: An original version of this article incorrectly identified Western Financial Group as Westland. Canadian Underwriter apologizes for the error. Western Financial Group now operates coast to coast following its full acquisition of Huestis Insurance and Associates Ltd.…
Despite easing inflation, P&C insurers face challenges
June 27, 2023 by Philip PoradoCanada’s May inflation rate slipped to an annualized 3.4%, Statistics Canada said Tuesday. That’s the lowest rate in two years and solidly below the 4.4% annual rate posted in April. It’s also in line with the Bank of Canada’s efforts…