Topic Technology
Documents show many cities are wary of mapping flood risks, making data public
May 9, 2017 by Jordan Press - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – When municipal officials were told last year about new tools to help them map the risk of flooding in their communities, they immediately raised red flags, suggesting they wanted no part of it over concerns about legal liability…
Drivers slower to respond to safety critical events in semi-automated cars, new study finds
May 8, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterDrivers using automated driver support systems responded worse than those manually driving in terms of reaction time, lane departure duration and “maximum steering wheel angle to an induced lane departure event,” a new study has found. Published in the June…
Uber announces Toronto research hub for self-driving technology
May 8, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterUber has announced that Toronto will be the first international research hub of its Advanced Technologies Group. The technology company also welcomed Raquel Urtasun, an associate professor at the University of Toronto “and one of the world’s leading researchers in…
Economical Insurance posts net income of $5.3 million in 2017 Q1, down from $28.5 million in prior-year quarter
May 8, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterAuto lines, catastrophe and weather-related losses served as a drag on underwriting results which, in turn, contributed to Economical Insurance posting net income of $5.3 million in 2017 Q1 compared to $28.5 million in 2016 Q1. “Higher investment income was…
Global demand for new vehicles to increase 1% to 2% in 2017: Fitch
May 4, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterGlobal demand for new vehicles will increase 1% to 2% in 2017, according to Fitch Ratings’ latest U.S. Automotive Handbook, published on Wednesday. The handbook noted that growth in China, Europe and Brazil will more than offset demand declines in…
Mobile earthquake simulator to visit Quebec in May and June
May 3, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is inviting Quebecers to experience the Quake Cottage, a mobile earthquake simulator, this month and next. As part of its earthquake preparedness campaign, IBC will be touring Quebec cities and shopping centres from La…
Aviva Canada and Hail Storm Products partner up for discount on auto hail protector system
May 2, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterAviva Canada and Hail Storm Products have teamed up, with the insurance company announcing on Tuesday that customers can now take advantage of an exclusive 20% discount on the Hail Protector Automobile Hail Protection System. “As the world’s only patented…
Fintech sector in Canada not reaching full potential: Competition Bureau of Canada
May 1, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe fintech sector in Canada is not reaching its full potential, in part because of consumer complacency and a lack of trust in new alternatives to the big banks, according to a new summary from the Competition Bureau of Canada.…
Ontario brokers voice support for provincial commitment to electronic proof of insurance
April 28, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) has welcomed the provincial government’s budget pledge to give drivers the option of electronic proof of insurance, a move IBAO suggests will help make insurance more affordable for consumers. The advance is part…
Federal government invests $2.5 million to examine Canadian start-ups
April 28, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) has announced a “non-repayable contribution” of up to $2.5 million to Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont. to support a national “scale-up data platform.” The platform will “capture and track…
Cyberespionage and ransomware attacks on the increase, report warns
April 27, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterCyberespionage is now the most common type of attack seen in the global manufacturing, education and now public sectors, a new report has revealed. According to the Verizon 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), released on Thursday, ransomware is now…
Judge orders Volkswagen to pay $2.1B in Canadian class action suit over emissions scandal
April 27, 2017 by Aleksandra Sagan - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – Members of a Canadian class-action lawsuit against Volkswagen can submit claims for reimbursement starting on Friday after an Ontario court approved a $2.1-billion settlement plan. The 105,000 people who purchased or leased certain Volkswagen or Audi vehicles with…