Canadian Underwriter

Topic Property

Coins being squeezed by vice grip pliers
News CatastrophesClaimsCommercialConstructionCyberProperty

Will inflation reboot the P&C hard market?

August 5, 2022 by Philip Porado

Although the commercial insurance market shows signs of gradually shifting toward more stable conditions, the hard market isn’t yet in the rear-view mirror and a soft market hasn’t arrived. “I would say we are more in a transitioning market [and]

Burned out buildings in Lytton, B.C.
News AdjustersAlbertaB.C.ClaimsClaims ProfessionalsCommercialCommercial AutoConstructionEnvironmentalInsurersLoss ControlLoss TrendsOntarioPersonal AutoPersonal HomeProperty

2021 Cat frequency ties 2008 for second place

August 3, 2022 by Glenn McGillivray

Severe weather cost Canadian insurers $2.25 billion in 2021, placing the year in the Top 5 for losses according to Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ). Last year, 14 events with $25 million in claims or higher were declared nationwide,

Stack of 45-rpm hit records
News BrokersCatastrophesClaimsCommercialCommercial AutoConstructionCyberInsurersLoss ControlPersonal AutoPersonal HomeProperty

P&C industry’s 2021 results: A one-hit wonder?

July 28, 2022 by Glenn McGillivray

Last year was generally the most favourable for Canada’s insurers in a while – since 2006 as a matter of fact – with the industry’s return on equity (ROE) coming in at a solid 17.2% (against 11.2% in 2020). ROE

Business person walking through a target to illustrate specialization
News BrokersCommercialCommercial AutoConstructionCyberHRInsurersManagementMergers and AqcuisitionsOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal HomeProperty

Is specialization the best route to broker independence?

July 27, 2022 by Jason Contant

A bevy of challenges, including M&A frenzy, rapidly evolving technology, automation and directs, has spurred some independent brokerages to focus on specialization. And some are even divesting of personal lines. “From a client perspective, it’s great to have a broker

Group of businesspeople shaking hands representing an M&A deals
News AlbertaBrokersBusiness InterruptionCommercialMergers and AqcuisitionsNew BrunswickOntarioPersonal AutoPersonal HomeProperty

BrokerLink closes three more acquisitions across Canada

July 15, 2022 by Jason Contant

BrokerLink is continuing its expansion into Alberta, Ontario and Atlantic Canada with the acquisition of three more brokerages over the past couple months. A subsidiary of Intact Financial Corporation, BrokerLink closed the acquisition of New Brunswick-based McTague Insurance on June

Egg in a vice to illustrate high pressure on workers.
News BrokersCommercialCommercial AutoConstructionInsurersOperationsPersonal AutoPersonal HomePropertyTrusted Advisor

Hard market challenges aside, brokers not racing for the exits

July 12, 2022 by David Gambrill

Canada’s hard market in insurance remains the Number 1 concern of new and experienced brokers alike, as well as brokerages big and small, according to Canadian Underwriter‘s 2022 National Broker Survey. The gender split among respondents was most prominent, with

Inflation going up in Canada
News ClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveCommercialCommercial AutoConstructionPersonal AutoPersonal HomeProperty

What the latest inflation measures mean for insurers

July 7, 2022 by Philip Porado

Several inflation drivers have increased claims costs for insurers since 2020, but some are less aggressive than expected and a few have yet to register significant impacts, a June report from AON found. Insurers can expect it to cost more

Indemnity agreement on desk with pen and eye glasses.
News BrokersBusiness InterruptionClaimsClaims ProfessionalsCommercialCyberEmerging RisksInsurersLegalLiabilityPropertyRisk ManagersTrusted Advisor

How to advise clients on commercial contract indemnities

July 6, 2022 by Michael Carey

Commercial contracts often contain indemnities, and brokers should be prepared to address issues pertaining to indemnities within those contracts. Some clients may ask what an indemnity is. Simply put, it’s a promise to compensate another person for certain costs and

A leaking roof in an old office
News AdjustersClaimsCommercialEnvironmentalInsurersLiabilityLoss ControlProperty

Why your client now needs environmental insurance

July 4, 2022 by Jason Contant

Climate change is resulting in larger and non-traditional pollution losses, necessitating the need for environmental insurance to cover possible coverage gaps left by other policies, an environmental insurance expert said recently. Stronger storms coupled with increased land development can lead

Jurors sitting in a court room box
News ClaimsClaims Canada ArchiveClaims ProfessionalsEmerging RisksInsurersLegalLiabilityPersonal AutoPersonal HomePropertyRisk ManagersTrending

Will rocketing consumer prices spark social inflation?

June 24, 2022 by Philip Porado

While consumers are paying close attention to inflation’s impact on their wallets, insurers should be keeping an eye on social inflation – and recognize the two are often linked. “There’s quite a distinction between the impact of what I would

Stressed out person working from home.
News BrokersCommercialCommercial AutoConstructionCyberHRPersonal AutoPersonal HomeProperty

Yes, COVID-19 really did boost broker workloads

June 20, 2022 by David Gambrill

While the pandemic created extra work for brokers, it also highlighted the value of the broker proposition, which includes, choice, advice and advocacy, according to Canadian Underwriter‘s 2022 National Broker Survey, which asked more than 250 brokers nationwide about challenges

Damage following the Barrie tornado in July 2021
News CatastrophesConstructionEnvironmentalPersonal HomeProperty

The cheaper we build our buildings, the more they cost after an earthquake, wildfire or tornado

June 17, 2022 by Keith Porter

By Keith Porter, adjunct research professor, civil and environmental engineering, Western University This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original