Topic Personal Auto
Definity acquires majority stake in an Ontario brokerage
October 7, 2022 by Jason ContantDefinity Financial Corporation has increased its ownership interest in Ontario-based brokerage McDougall Insurance from approximately 25% to 75%, “building a broker partnership with proven M&A expertise.” The partnership is for a cash consideration of $217 million (subject to post-closing adjustments),…
Many Canadians are driving more but are they telling their insurers?
October 6, 2022 by Canadian Underwriter StaffInsurers across Canada gave drivers a break on their premiums during pandemic lockdowns to reflect a sharp reduction in the number of kilometres they were driving each month. But, even as 20% of Canadians report they’re driving to work more…
How Hurricane Ian will strain insurers’ capacity
October 3, 2022 by Philip PoradoHurricane Ian’s Florida landfall last week and subsequent return to the Carolinas means it’s shaping up to be one of the costliest storms in U.S. history. But, while the storm that arrived on the heels of Hurricane Fiona caused massive…
What happened to the ‘quiet’ hurricane season?
September 30, 2022 by Jason ContantNot long ago, hurricane season began very quietly with no North Atlantic hurricanes in all of August. But now it appears 2022 could produce a record-breaking hurricane. Property data provider CoreLogic is predicting Hurricane Ian could be the costliest Florida…
Vancouver gas prices break North American record: analyst
September 30, 2022 by The Canadian PressVANCOUVER – Gas prices in Vancouver hit a new high of more than $2.39 a litre at some stations Thursday, blowing past the previous peak set this summer. One gas analyst said that’s a new all-time record for North America,…
What claims adjusters are seeing from Fiona
September 28, 2022 by Jason ContantClaims adjusters are seeing a wide variety of personal and commercial lines claims in the wake of post-tropical storm Fiona – everything from food spoilage and infrastructure claims to total losses. “Currently, we are seeing claims for personal and commercial…
Which firm racked up 8 mergers over the summer?
September 28, 2022 by Canadian Underwriter StaffBrokerage M&A has been hectic so far in 2022, with one firm bringing eight brokerages across Canada under its wing during the summer. Navacord today announced it closed eight acquisitions during July and August that expands the company’s presence in…
Texting while driving, and 4 other things that boost clients’ premiums
September 27, 2022 by Canadian Underwriter StaffClient sent a text while driving and got caught? A conviction for that infraction beyond the police fine can cost a driver a 70% premium hike when it’s time to renew, said a new study from RatesDotCa. The study was…
Is Canada’s insurance industry becoming an online fraud target?
September 26, 2022 by Canadian Underwriter StaffCanada’s insurance industry saw the highest increase in digital fraud attempts—up 125% between Q2 2021 and Q2 2022—of all industries in the country that were screened as part of a quarterly study from credit-reporting firm TransUnion. The only Canadian industries…
How rising interest rates impact insurers’ investment decisions
September 23, 2022 by Philip PoradoRecent interest rate hikes aimed at curbing inflation, and the potential for more rate hikes next year, has the insurance industry keeping an eye on its investment returns. But while the transition from a low-interest-rate environment to a higher-rate environment…
Ontario auto: The impact of inflation on rate increases
September 22, 2022 by Jason ContantFinancial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s (FSRA) recent approval of auto insurance rate increases for several insurers signals inflation may finally be making its way into the world of auto insurance prices, according to rate comparison site Ratesdotca. “Currently, FSRA…
CapriCMW and Rogers Insurance announce merger
September 20, 2022 by Jason ContantBritish Columbia-based CapriCMW and Alberta-based Rogers Insurance have announced that they have merged and will be known as Acera Insurance. The merger will create a company with 1,000 employees located in more than 50 offices across Alberta, B.C., Ontario and…