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An Ottawa resident looking out a window of a tornado-damaged home
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Tornado hits suburban Ottawa neighbourhood, damaging 125 homes and scattering debris

July 14, 2023 by Mia Rabson and Liam Fox - THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA – The remains of totalled fences, blown-out windows and ripped-off roofs were scattered across a south-end neighbourhood in Ottawa on Thursday after a tornado hit with little warning. After the skies had cleared, families sat out on their porches

turtle walking on chalkboard with drawing of an increasing line graph
News BrokersCommercialCommercial AutoConstructionInsurersPersonal AutoPersonal Home

By how much premiums increased in the first quarter

July 14, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

While consumers might have noticed their insurance rates are still increasing, prices are flattening out compared to last year’s single- or double-digit increases, two new reports from Applied Systems showed.  Commercial lines saw an overall rate increase of 7.39% in

M&A concept
News AlbertaBrokersCommercialMergers and AqcuisitionsNew BrunswickOntarioPersonal AutoPersonal Home

Large Canadian brokerages announce latest M&A deals

July 13, 2023 by Jason Contant

Canadian P&C brokerage merger and acquisition activity continues to burn red-hot in the second half of 2023, with large brokerages BrokerLink and Acera Insurance announcing a combined three deals recently. BrokerLink acquired Ontario-based Donnell Insurance Brokers Ltd. and New Brunswick-based

A forest fire near Peachland, B.C.
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B.C. expected to request Ottawa’s help with worsening wildfires 

July 13, 2023 by The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER – Canada’s Emergency Preparedness Minister says he is expecting a “fairly substantive” request for help from British Columbia as wildfires worsen.   Bill Blair tells The Canadian Press the government operations centre has been in discussions with the province for

A helicopter carrying water flies over heavy smoke from an out-of-control fire in a suburban community outside of Halifax.
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How much Intact paid in second quarter Cat losses

July 13, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Intact Financial Corporation saw an estimated $335 million in catastrophe losses in Canada for the second quarter of 2023, the insurer revealed in a release.  Comparatively, the company handled over a million claims and paid out over $10 billion globally in

Carpenter at work on a kitchen repair
News AdjustersClaimsInsurersLoss ControlPersonal HomeProperty

High building materials and labour costs still slowing home repairs

July 12, 2023 by Philip Porado

While inflation’s pace has eased in Canada, it’s still expensive to put homeowners back into their properties after a fire, flood, wind or other event. That’s because lingering supply chain and labour-shortage issues are extending restoration timelines. And that’s increasing

A washed-out section of highway in Riviere-Eternite, Que. following a major landslide
News ClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveEmerging RisksPersonal HomeQuebec

Quebec landslides bring insurance coverage questions into focus

July 12, 2023 by Jason Contant

With heavy rains triggering flooding and landslides in parts of Quebec, some clients may understandably have questions about which perils are covered under their insurance policies. Certain types of water damage are typically covered, while coverage for overland flooding or

A woman sits with her laptop and credit card in one hand and is holding her head. Another woman is behind her talking on the phone
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Why personal lines cyber is a growing need for consumers

July 10, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

When a company has been cyber breached, they are obligated to tell their clients their data’s been leaked. But personal consumers may be more likely to bury their shame and eat the cost of the cyber scam—even to their detriment,

Insurance claims adjuster working in the field
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How the pandemic changed adjusting for the long haul

July 10, 2023 by Philip Porado

COVID-19 restrictions led adjusters to shift claims work to desktop teams. The change was driven by client reluctance to meet in-person and employees’ desire to reduce site work until the risks were better understood. But those changes can make some

Wildfire on the Cariboo Plateau in B.C.
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B.C. wildfires prompt evacuation orders for two regions

July 10, 2023 by The Canadian Press

The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako and the Regional District of Cariboo have issued evacuation orders this weekend due to wildfires in British Columbia. The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako says the danger posed by the Tsah Creek wildfire has prompted an

Tornado-damaged home near Carstairs, Alta.
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Will powerful Alberta tornado be declared a Cat? 

July 7, 2023 by Jason Contant

A powerful Canada Day tornado that swept through a section of rural Alberta likely won’t result in much insured damage despite strong winds that reached an estimated 275 km/h.  The EF4 tornado tore through an area south of Didsbury, Alta.

Donnie Creek wildfire in B.C.
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Record-breaking wildfire season will continue to burn hot for months: officials

July 6, 2023 by The Canadian Press

OTTAWA – Natural Resources Canada says the country’s record-breaking wildfire season will continue to be abnormally intense throughout July and into August. The projections are based on anticipated high temperatures, dry conditions and historical comparisons. The risk is expected to