Topic Personal Auto
Western Financial rings in New Year with acquisition
January 6, 2022 by Jason ContantWestern Financial Group began the New Year with the announcement that it has acquired a full-service brokerage located in southern Ontario. Western Financial’s latest acquisition of Wiesner Insurance Inc. “adds a significant commercial interest in Ontario,” the large brokerage said…
What Canadian insurers paid for reinsurance in Jan. renewals
January 5, 2022 by David GambrillReinsurance rate increases for catastrophes in Canadian property lines depended on whether the carriers’ portfolios took a hit last year, with 10% to 20% rate increases for catastrophe portfolios that took a loss, and 5% to 10% increases for those…
Appeal Court overturns $350K bad faith award against public insurer
January 5, 2022 by David GambrillManitoba’s Court of Appeal has overturned a $348,000 damage award against the province’s auto insurer, finding that the insurer did in fact act in good faith towards a person injured in a collision involving an uninsured auto. In making its…
Meet Chubb’s new Canadian leaders
January 4, 2022 by David GambrillPaul Johnstone is now Chubb Canada’s chief operating officer, while Melanie Wilcox will succeed him in his former role as the head of personal risk services in Canada. “Paul and Melanie both bring extensive experience to their new roles,” John…
Talk to home and auto clients about changes that may affect premiums
December 23, 2021 by Brooke SmithCanadians getting ready to ring in 2022 probably aren’t thinking about insurance coverage. Clients are required to alert brokers to any changes that might impact their coverage throughout a policy period — regardless of the renewal date, said Anthea McFarland,…
Brokerage expands its reach in Manitoba
December 22, 2021 by Alyssa Di SabatinoAndrew Agencies, a multi-line brokerage based in Virden, Manitoba, is expanding its footprint in the province with the acquisition of two Manitoba brokerages — Kimp Services in Shoal Lake, and Ducharme Agencies in Winnipeg. The acquisitions are effective Nov. 1, 2021,…
B.C. government warns strong storms will clash with ‘Arctic air’ over the holidays
December 22, 2021 by The Canadian PressVANCOUVER – British Columbia residents are being urged to prepare for extremely cold temperatures, power outages and slick streets as a series of winter storm and freezing rain warnings covered most of the province. The B.C. government released a statement…
Lawsuit arising from 1982 vehicle accident dismissed in 2021
December 20, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA negligence lawsuit against a plaintiff’s lawyer by an Ontario claimant who was injured in a 1982 motor vehicle accident has been thrown out of court. The claimant settled his accident benefits and tort claims in 1999, when he was…
Direct compensation for property damage coming to Alberta
December 13, 2021 by Canadian Underwriter StaffAmendments to Alberta’s Standard Auto Policy Form No. 1 will enable direct compensation for property damage (DCPD) for certain kinds of automobile property damage claims, starting January 1, 2022. The amendments were approved by Alberta’s Superintendent of Insurance. Sharon Stefanyk,…
Westland’s acquisition spree continues
December 10, 2021 by Jason ContantLarge independent Canadian-owned brokerage Westland Insurance Group Ltd. continues its acquisitions of western Canadian brokerages with the purchase of Reider Insurance. Westland announced Dec. 7 the acquisition of Reider Insurance in Winnipeg. It follows the acquisitions of Church Eaton Insurance of Calgary and…
Here are the latest trends in insurance fraud
December 8, 2021 by Jason Contant“Re-vinning” of stolen vehicles — where thieves steal a vehicle, put what appears to be a legitimate vehicle identification number (VIN) on the front dash and then sell it to an unsuspecting customer — is increasing as a fraud trend,…
Loan program helps Manitobans get better traction
December 7, 2021 by Canadian Underwriter StaffClients telling you they can’t afford winter tires? Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) administers a loan program to help get drivers the cash, and the traction, they need. Loan terms last up to four years at prime plus 2% and up…