Canadian Underwriter

Topic Personal Home

Hand holding two jigsaw puzzles pieces.
News BrokersCommercialManitobaMergers and AqcuisitionsOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Navacord’s first deal of the year 

February 29, 2024 by Jason Contant

Commercial insurance brokerage Navacord Corp. has completed its first transaction of the year with a partnership with Winnipeg-based Avant Insurance.  Announced Wednesday, the deal with the personal and commercial lines brokerage was effective Feb. 1. Navacord said in a press

Snow fall covering a car in Nova Scotia
News ClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEnvironmentalNova ScotiaPersonal Home

As planet warms, ferocious snowfalls like the one that hit Nova Scotia could increase

February 26, 2024 by Hina Alam, The Canadian Press

ATLANTIC CANADA – Forecasters say a warming global climate could actually cause some parts of Canada to see colder conditions, including heavy snowfalls like the one that hit parts of the Maritimes this week. There’s a direct relationship between the

Electrical outlet on fire.
News ClaimsEmerging RisksInsurersLoss TrendsPersonal HomeProperty

Managing insurer concerns about knob-and-tube wiring

February 21, 2024 by Brian Cook, PowerCheck

Most insurers see homes with knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum wiring, and 60-amp service as high-risk, which prevents clients with those systems from easily obtaining home insurance. But are wiring types and service levels really the culprits causing fires? I’ve examined electrical

A fourplex destroyed by a wildfire at Sturgeon Lake Cree First Nation.
News AlbertaCatastrophesClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEnvironmentalPersonal Home

Warm and dry weather prompts Alberta to declare an early start to wildfire season

February 21, 2024 by The Canadian Press

EDMONTON – The Alberta government has declared an early start to the 2024 wildfire season in the face of low snowpacks and forecasts of dry weather to come. Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said Tuesday the season is

Engineer using thermal camera to inspect home
News CommercialConstructionInsurersPersonal HomeProperty

Co-operators acquires home inspection firm

February 16, 2024 by Jason Contant

The Co-operators has entered the home services line of business with the acquisition of the parent company of home inspection firm Carson Dunlop & Associates Ltd. Co-operators Financial Services Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Co-operators Group Limited, announced the

Creating long-term value within your client base
News BrokersCommercialCommercial AutoInsurersManagementOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Making clients valuable to your brokerage for the long term

February 15, 2024 by Adam Mitchell

When it comes to ensuring clients have the right products and coverage levels, life insurance brokers are doing things much better than personal lines brokers. But there’s no reason the P&C industry can’t operate at that level. You can’t sell

Snowplow clearing the streets
News ClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEnvironmentalNewfoundland & LabradorNova ScotiaPersonal HomeProperty

Blizzard-like conditions expected in Newfoundland

February 15, 2024 by The Canadian Press

Schools in Newfoundland’s capital are closed today, due to the threat of inclement winter weather. The head office for NLSchools in St. John’s will be open, but officials say not until 11:00 a.m. local time. This week’s hazardous winter conditions

Cyber graphic of an arrow pointing upward
News BrokersCatastrophesClaimsCommercialInsurersPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Cats scratch Intact’s bottom line in 2023

February 14, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Intact Financial Corporation (IFC) has reported elevated catastrophe losses in 2023, raising its combined operating ratio (COR) by 4.3 points since 2022. “The past year has been challenging for society, particularly in the face of numerous natural disasters,” said Charles

Flooded homes following torrential rainfall
News CatastrophesClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEnvironmentalPersonal Home

Are your clients adding water endorsements to home policies?

February 14, 2024 by Jason Contant

An increasing number of your clients are expressing interest in water endorsements on home insurance policies, according to data from rate aggregator Rates.ca’s home insurance quoter. The rate comparison website found 36% of all home insurance quotes on the tool

Building demolished by an earthquake, Christchurch, New Zealand
News BrokersClaimsCommercialConstructionInsurersLegalPersonal Home

The post-pandemic broker E&O trend, and how to prevent it

February 13, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Many clients’ commercial property limits aren’t being adjusted for inflation, and that’s unduly exposing brokers to errors and omissions (E&O) claims, one commercial litigation lawyer observed.  Inflationary increases are typically applied to all building values upon renewal. The problem is,

E-scooter accidents are going to cause problems for Canadian cities because of vague insurance rules and lax enforcement.
News ClaimsEmerging RisksInsurersLegalLiabilityLoss TrendsPersonal AutoPersonal HomeProperty

Lax e-scooter insurance spells trouble for Canadian municipalities

February 12, 2024 by Philip Porado

Based on what’s taking place in other jurisdictions, lawsuits over accidents involving e-scooters will likely rise in Canada – particularly in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, where some municipalities permit their use on public streets, park trails, or sidewalks. Municipalities

Business acquisition sealed with a handshake
News BrokersCommercialCommercial AutoHRManagementMergers and AqcuisitionsOntarioOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Hub’s latest Ontario brokerage acquisition

February 12, 2024 by Jason Contant

Hub International Ltd. has enhanced its personal, commercial and employee benefits services with the acquisition of Ontario brokerage Mitchell Sandham. Located in Oakville, Ont., Mitchell Sandham is one of the oldest and largest independently owned insurance brokerages in the Greater