Keyword
Marijuana
Four years after marijuana legalization: What are auto claims looking like?
December 14, 2022 Jason ContantMarijuana legalization in Canada has shown “no statistically significant changes in the average cost per claim and claim frequency,” according to a new report from the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). “The literature review…
New innocent co-insured law does not apply retroactively: Appeal Court
May 18, 2022 by David GambrillOntario’s new innocent co-insured law does not apply retroactively to claims events that happened before the legislation was passed, the Ontario Appeal Court has ruled. The co-insured rule restricts application of insurers’ policy exclusions for criminal acts only to those…
Does ‘material change in risk’ clause need better clarity?
February 3, 2020 by Greg MeckbachDespite Wawanesa’s recent legal victory in a coverage dispute in British Columbia, judges in that province appear to be struggling to interpret the statutory condition on material change in risk. Five years ago, Bob and Linda Schellenberg’s property in Chilliwack…
Why these homeowners lost their negligence lawsuit against a Hub brokerage
January 24, 2020 by Greg MeckbachBritish Columbia’s top court recently sided with a Hub International brokerage in a case in which a client sued the brokerage and the insurer for coverage that was denied because a building damaged by fire contained a legal medical marijuana…
First batch of legal marijuana edibles on their way for B.C.
December 20, 2019 The Canadian PressVICTORIA – British Columbia’s government says the first batch of legal marijuana edibles, extracts and topical will soon be available for purchase, two months after they were legalized in Canada. The province says it received its first shipments of the…
How should employers treat recreational marijuana use?
May 9, 2019 by Jason ContantEmployers should treat marijuana use in the workplace as they would alcohol use, a senior claims professional told Canadian Underwriter Monday. “All of the liability still exists,” said Heather Matthews, senior vice president of Crawford & Company (Canada)’s National Claims…
Will roadside marijuana tests be upheld in court?
May 7, 2019 by Jason ContantThe ability to properly test marijuana impairment with roadside devices remains front and centre seven months after legalization, with at least one possible legal fight brewing. “I think our big issue in Canada, whether it’s a roadside test or from…
Do your insureds understand a “material change in risk”?
March 29, 2019 by Jason ContantIt’s not necessary for an insurer to prove that an insured knew a change in risk was “material” to the carrier, the Supreme Court of British Columbia has ruled. In May 2014, Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company voided a homeowner’s policy…
Pot legalization not a good reason to raise auto rates: Regulator
March 26, 2019 by Greg MeckbachNova Scotia’s auto insurance regulator is not letting The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company take marijuana legalization into account when calculating this year’s rate increases. The Dominion said in a rate change application that claims frequency will likely go…
How recreational cannabis has created numerous challenges for insurers
March 14, 2019 by Greg MeckbachCannabis legalization is making things more complex for auto insurers and increasing risk for some commercial property clients, A.M. Best Company Inc. suggests in a recent report. About 25 insurers, most of whom are non-admitted, provide coverage for cannabis risks…
How mixing marijuana and alcohol may lead to more settlements
January 18, 2019 by Jason ContantWith recreational marijuana legal in Canada since Oct. 17, 2018, social hosts and bars will need to pay attention to liability arising from people who are intoxicated by both marijuana and alcohol. Traditional liquor liability cases can be complicated enough…
Beginner’s guide to insuring pot
January 9, 2019 by Jason ContantAfter nearly three months of recreational marijuana being legal in Canada, insurers are still trying to wrap their heads around a sector with no track record and lots of uncertainty. For specialist insurer CFC Underwriting, there is still some caution…