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Where Calgary’s $1.2-billion hailstorm ranks among Canada’s largest insured disasters
July 8, 2020 by David GambrillThe June 13 Alberta storm that hit Calgary, Airdrie, Rocky View County is now officially the worst hailstorm in Canadian history, causing almost $1.2 billion in insured damages, according to Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ). And on the all-time…
How liability for deductibles on strata claims is changing in B.C.
July 3, 2020 by Greg MeckbachStrata unit owners might see a reduction in liability risk for common-area damage if a recently-tabled bill is passed in British Columbia. “Right now, if a water pipe bursts in a bathroom due to manufacturer error and leaks beyond common…
How insurtech Lemonade’s IPO is going so far
July 3, 2020 by Greg MeckbachDespite the pandemic-induced economic downturn, an insurtech that promises tenants quotes within minutes started trading this week on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of Lemonade Inc. rose sharply July 2, closing at US$69.41, more than double the price at…
Flood warnings issued as B.C.’s major rivers surge, rainfall continues
July 3, 2020 by Amy Smart - THE CANADIAN PRESSVANCOUVER – Heavy rainfall has caused rivers to surge across much of British Columbia, washing out roads and putting many communities on alert. The River Forecast Centre has issued flood warnings, its highest alert, for the areas around the upper…
What was abnormal about June Calgary hail storm
July 2, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAlberta’s hailstorm in mid-June was so severe that some homes suffered interior damage as a result, an independent adjusting firm reports. “We have seen skylights completely blown out to the point that the hail that impacted that skylight also impacted…
Dam threatened by water levels in rural Manitoba, some residents evacuate
July 2, 2020 by THE CANADIAN PRESSRIVERS, Man. – A rural Manitoba mayor says some people and livestock have been evacuated from his community because high water levels are threatening a dam. Rural Municipality of Riverdale Mayor Todd Gill says 38 households in the Little Saskatchewan…
Three injured, including firefighter, in house fire in Toronto’s Little Italy
June 29, 2020 by THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – Two residents and a firefighter have been injured in an early morning house fire in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood. Emergency crews were called to a home near College Street and Manning Avenue at 1:25 a.m. for a fire…
How ‘actual cash value’ could be affecting some Alberta hail victims
June 26, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf some Alberta homeowners are only getting a small fraction of the cost to repair properties damaged in the recent hail storm, that could be the result of choosing a policy that only covers actual cash value, Insurance Bureau of…
Public reaction to insurers ‘could get ugly’ after Calgary hail storm: Broker
June 25, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe industry’s reputation could take a beating in the aftermath of the devastating June 13 Alberta hail storm if misleading rumours are spread by people who do not understand how insurance works, an official with the province’s broker association warns.…
Auto total loss claims escalate after Calgary hail storm: IBC
June 24, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe industry is expecting well over 20,000 claims from the recent Alberta hail storm, and some vehicles were wrecked badly enough that they have to be written off, the Insurance Bureau of Canada reports. “We are hearing from several consumers…
How pandemic could complicate claims adjusting after Alberta hail storm
June 22, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe COVID-19 pandemic could complicate the movement of adjusters if help is needed from south of the border to deal with the aftermath of the recent southern Alberta storm. “I think customers by and large are recognizing that it’s complicated…
Hot line: Why residential fire frequency is up
June 16, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe surge in people working from home has brought an increase in home cooking fires, risk and insurance professionals observe. “You are seeing a spike in residential fires in condos and rental units because people are at home more and…