Topic Property
Ottawa loosens eligibility requirements on pandemic relief for businesses, workers
December 24, 2021 by Tara Deschamps - THE CANADIAN PRESSCanada’s federal government offered a lifeline to businesses struggling amid the latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding eligibility for two benefit programs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and several members of his cabinet announced Wednesday that, due to the…
Small businesses grappling with Omicron, after two years of closures and restrictions
December 23, 2021 by Tara Deschamps - THE CANADIAN PRESSAs the December holidays neared, the Old Triangle alehouses across the Maritimes were bustling with Christmas parties and diners revelling in the festive season. But that energy vanished in recent days as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 raged across Canada…
Strata owner not liable for common-area water damage
December 14, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA strata corporation can’t recover $25,000 towards water damage repairs originating from a unit owner’s broken toilet water supply line, the British Columba civil resolution tribunal has ruled. On June 23, 2019, water leaked out of a strata lot. The…
Product recall insurance demand to rise in 2022, lawyers predict
December 10, 2021 by Canadian Underwriter StaffComplex global supply chains, inconsistent regulations across jurisdictions, adoption of automation and the COVID-19 pandemic, will lead to a rise in product recalls, two Borden Ladner and Gervais lawyers said in a recent blog. “We predict 2022 will see more…
B.C. flooding is the costliest severe weather event in province’s history
December 10, 2021 by Jason ContantIt’s official — the massive flooding in southern British Columbia is the costliest severe weather event in the province’s history. In a press release issued late Thursday by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ) said…
These socioeconomic factors are driving up property claims
December 7, 2021 by Greg MeckbachUrbanization, the increasing popularity of solar panels and a greater awareness of what is covered insurance are among the factors driving an escalation of insured property losses, a speaker suggested at last week’s CatIQ Connect conference. “Urbanization means that we…
Claims adjusters react to B.C. flooding
December 6, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIt’s too early to tell how much the recent “atmospheric river” in British Columbia will cost the industry, but independent adjusters are observing widespread damage. Environment Canada lifted weather alerts for British Columbia on Thursday as storm conditions eased, floodwaters…
Can we blame climate change for B.C. ‘atmospheric river?’
December 2, 2021 by Greg MeckbachWe can’t say for sure that climate change has caused the heavy rainfall and severe floods and landslides currently affecting British Columbia, but global warming is making disasters like this more likely, a Swiss Re speaker suggested Thursday. “Warmer air…
More flood warnings, watches issued in B.C. as province braces for third rainstorm
November 29, 2021 by THE CANADIAN PRESSVANCOUVER – Flood warnings are posted for a section of British Columbia’s southern Interior and flood watches or high water advisories cover large parts of the province, as it deals with the consequences of a second major rainstorm in as…
Prime minister approves request for military help as Newfoundland deals with flooding
November 26, 2021 by THE CANADIAN PRESSCHANNEL-PORT AUX BASQUES, N.L. – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has approved a request for military assistance for southwestern Newfoundland, where road washouts from a punishing rainstorm have left the region cut off from the rest of the province. Trudeau issued…
Is the commercial insurance market starting to soften?
November 16, 2021 by Jason ContantPremium rate changes in commercial lines in Canada have experienced a slight downturn quarter-over-quarter, indicating that the commercial hard market may be easing up a bit. “While we are still experiencing a hard market, the Q3 index shows a slight…
Stability, finally? What insurers and brokers can look forward to in 2022
November 12, 2021 by Brooke SmithBrokers and insurers may see some stabilization in the market in 2022. “We saw tremendous rate pressure, high operating ratios, and low ROIs in 2019 and 2020,” said Kevin Neiles, president, Western Canada and chief markets officer at Gallagher, during…