Topic Property
Who’s responsible for 20 years of sewer backups?
January 16, 2023 by Jason ContantBritish Columbia’s Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) has dismissed a condo unit owner’s request for $50,000 in punitive damages following sporadic sewer backups over a 20-year period. But the tribunal awarded the owner $3,000 for loss of enjoyment of his unit.…
Where Ontario’s 2022 fire-related deaths ranked
January 13, 2023 by Philip PoradoOntario’s 133 fire-related deaths during 2022 were the highest in more than 20 years, the province’s Fire Marshal Jon Pegg said in a Jan. 3 tweet. In comparison, 2021 saw 124 fire-related deaths. There were 115 fire-related deaths in 2020…
How an Alberta election may impact decisions on captive insurance
January 12, 2023 by Philip PoradoCompanies looking at the benefits of setting up an Alberta captive insurance company appear to be taking a ‘wait-and-see approach’ with respect to tax treatment. At the moment, the province’s tax authorities have indicated captives will be treated the same…
Hard market “fatigue” setting in, P&C industry survey suggests
January 12, 2023 by David GambrillHard market fatigue is starting to become an issue for Canada’s property and casualty insurance industry, and several industry professionals are worried ongoing capacity and pricing issues could invite government intervention down the road. “We will continue to have many…
Hurricane Fiona insurance damage estimate revised to $800 million
January 5, 2023 by David GambrillHurricane Fiona has now caused insured damage of more than $800 million in Canada, according to Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ). CatIQ’s initial estimate in October 2022 was $660 million. Hurricane Fiona now sits as the seventh-largest catastrophe in…
Defining vacancy: Why the court upheld insurer’s denial of a $100K water damage claim
January 4, 2023 by David GambrillAn insurance policy exclusion for vacancy applies, even when an insured has arranged for people to look after the vacant property on a daily basis, so long as there is no intention to inhabit the place again, the Ontario Superior…
Sedgwick appoints new president, property and international business
January 4, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoTom Simoncic has been appointed as president of Sedgwick’s property and international business. Simoncic joined Sedgwick through acquisition. He is currently president of property for the Americas for the last seven years and is responsible for servicing clients in Canada…
Why your reinsurance bills are up this year
January 3, 2023 by Alyssa Di SabatinoJanuary 1 reinsurance renewals are proving to be “one of the most challenging reinsurance markets” the insurance sector has experienced, says Guy Carpenter, a Marsh McLennan global risk and reinsurance specialist firm. Property insurers in particular can expect rates to escalate due…
B.C. flooding potential persists, despite end of official warnings
December 28, 2022 by Canadian PressVANCOUVER – No weather warnings or watches were posted across British Columbia for the first time in weeks, but Environment Canada says more heavy rain is on the way while flood watches are still up for large parts of Vancouver Island…
How switching appliances can shorten claims cycles
December 15, 2022 by Philip PoradoSupply chain problems aren’t going away any time soon for insurance adjusters. Home improvement retailers and warehouses have been plagued by empty shelves since the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. And goods scarcities for everything from lumber to La-Z-Boys…
Are product liability insurers ready to face mass torts?
December 13, 2022 by Philip PoradoClass action lawsuits have long been drivers of social inflation for insurers that provide product liability overage. But now a new legal vehicle, the ‘mass tort,’ looks to be waiting in the wings. Unlike class actions, in which one plaintiff…
The real reasons behind Canada’s softer D&O market
December 9, 2022 by Philip Porado“Expanded insurer appetite and competition in the primary space,” as well as new capacity in excess layers, helps explain a softening of Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance pricing and limits expansions in Canada, says a recent quarterly market insights report…