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Thousands in Ontario remain without power after winter storm
February 23, 2023 by The Canadian PressTORONTO – Hydro One says tens of thousands of its customers in southwestern Ontario lost power after Wednesday’s winter storm and some might have to wait until Friday night for it to be restored. The utility says more than 33,000…
How automation’s shifting on-site claims work to bigger losses
February 23, 2023 by Philip PoradoCOVID-19 accelerated development of process efficiencies for insurance adjusters. Pre-pandemic, data-gathering and communications systems began shifting many claims to desk teams, creating efficiencies for adjusters by reserving site visits for complex cases. “What COVID did was expedite some of that…
Sales Column: Clients ignoring your emails? Try texting
February 22, 2023 by Adam MitchellPeople love their smartphones. And even those who claim they don’t still spend hours using them every day. A study last year by cybersecurity company NordVPN found 66% of Canadians even use their phones while in the washroom. I’ve always…
Rural Nova Scotians want power grid designed for a changing climate
February 17, 2023 by Michael Tutton - THE CANADIAN PRESSHALIFAX – Residents of a rural Cape Breton community that has lost power during cold and windy weather are looking for compensation from the utility – and a grid designed for the changing climate. Parker Donham, a resident of Boularderie…
Westland acquires brokerages in two provinces
February 15, 2023 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance continues its expansion across Canada with acquisition of Quebec-based Niche Assurance Inc. and Saskatchewan-based Heritage Insurance, effective Feb. 1. The latest acquisitions come a month after industry veteran Doug Morrow joined Westland as its new vice president of…
Investigation underway into apparent gas explosion in Ottawa
February 15, 2023 by Cindy Tran and Mickey Djuric - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – Officials say the investigation is now ongoing after 12 people were injured in an apparent gas explosion that rocked an east Ottawa suburb on Monday morning, including two children and two people who were pulled out of the…
Is Canada seeing more tornadoes every year?
February 14, 2023 by Jason ContantCanada saw 117 recorded tornadoes across the country during the 2022 season, tying 2021 for the highest-ever single season on record, according to the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP). As with 2021, 29 of the tornadoes reached up to EF2 on…
Is there a better coverage solution for flood plain residents?
February 14, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWhen insurers recommend consumers pack up and move from their flood-prone homes, it’s easier said than done. That’s why the industry needs to come up with better resilience solutions and more efficient claims response to protect the customers most impacted…
Quebec brokers build aggregator to benefit the broker channel
February 10, 2023 by David GambrillQuebec’s broker association has built a new online quote aggregator system by brokers for brokers. “Some insurance companies would call it an aggregator, but I would say it’s more like an online rocket,” said Mathieu Brunet, vice president of MP2B…
Despite inflation easing, Intact expects ongoing hard market
February 8, 2023 by David GambrillDespite lower inflation, Intact Insurance is nevertheless predicting an ongoing hard market in Canada in 2023 because of higher reinsurance rates and elevated natural catastrophes. “Looking at the [Canadian P&C insurance] industry, we see hard market conditions continuing, given rising…
What’s the best way to increase earthquake insurance take-up in Quebec?
February 8, 2023 by Jason ContantThe best way to get consumers to buy earthquake insurance in provinces like Quebec is to find a balance between highlighting the benefits of early intervention and not making the narrative too scary, a research social scientist told delegates at…
How an insurer’s report on a condo ceiling leak won the day
February 8, 2023 by Philip PoradoRepairs outlined in an insurance company’s assessment of damages at a British Columbia condo must be made by the strata, said a decision from the province’s Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT). Applicants in Rolfe v. The Owners, Strata Plan EPS3064 claimed the…