Topic Personal Auto
Broker lands in hot water after a man receives a surprise gift from his father-in-law
September 29, 2020 by David GambrillA B.C. broker received a $1,000 fine and was ordered to complete a course in auto insurance for her role in trying to help a man purchase a car for his son-in-law. The provincial broker regulator found that the broker,…
Mud + snow tires count as winter tires: Tribunal
September 28, 2020 by Greg MeckbachBritish Columbia’s civil resolution tribunal has ruled against a motorist who claims the car he rented did not have proper winter tires because they were marked “mud + snow,” but the motorist is not liable for alleged damage to the…
Why this client wants to take insurer to Supreme Court over family protection endorsement
September 25, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA motor vehicle personal injury lawsuit, involving Ontario’s family protection endorsement and multiple defendants when alcohol is involved, could be headed to the Supreme Court of Canada. A key question before the top court — if it decides to hear…
The good news and bad news about Ontario auto
September 24, 2020 by Greg MeckbachOntario auto insurance rates were 3.7% lower in the second quarter of 2020, than in the same period in 2019, but were still higher than in the three months ending March 30, 2020, data released Tuesday by LowestRates.ca suggests. “COVID…
Winners and losers of the COVID-19 quarter
September 24, 2020 by David GambrillAlthough COVID-19 infected the underwriting results of the entire P&C insurance industry, it did not affect all insurance organizations equally, as recent data released by MSA Research shows. “The overall picture that emerges at the end of June is one…
What happens in Alberta when auto insurers are not comfortable with their profitability
September 23, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe Alberta auto insurance industry is still suffering “hangover” from a 5% cap on rate increases that was abolished more than a year ago, with many insurers not looking for new business, suggests the co-founder of LowestRates.ca. Data released Tuesday…
How the pandemic will change insurers’ medical assessments
September 23, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe COVID-19 pandemic has prompted some insurers’ medical examiners to consider virtual exams instead of in-person exams when the examiner needs to speak with the claimant. “We work with a number of firms that provide independent medical assessments and evaluations…
How vehicle depreciation can create E&O risk
September 21, 2020 by Greg MeckbachPersonal auto insurance brokers who don’t offer an endorsement that would limit an insurer’s right to restrict its coverage to actual cash value could be increasing their errors and omissions risk, a senior broker has cautioned. Alberta and Ontario have…
No, you can’t ram a car in a fit of road rage and collect insurance for the damage
September 18, 2020 by David GambrillA B.C. driver recently learned the hard way that you can’t ram your car into another car during a parking lot road rage incident and then make an insurance claim for the repair. Majid Abood was waiting in his car…
Why Uber Canada dropped Intact as its insurance provider
September 16, 2020 by Greg MeckbachRide sharing firm Uber Canada chose Economical as its insurance provider because Uber would not agree to Intact’s pricing, a senior Intact executive said Tuesday. “We had a very good relationship, we just couldn’t agree on the price,” Intact CFO…
Pandemic relief: Keeping the size of auto insurance discounts in perspective
September 14, 2020 by Greg MeckbachSometimes it’s not just about the size of the pandemic auto insurance discount, but the fact that it was a discount and not a rate hike that makes all the difference to a consumer. For example, a 25% auto insurance…
How bad Canada’s auto loss ratios are getting
September 11, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe Canadian industry’s loss ratio in auto liability has deteriorated for the fourth year in a row, A.M. Best Company Inc. has reported. Meanwhile, the loss ratio in “auto personal accident” deteriorated nearly 10 points. It increased from 70.4% in…