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University of Waterloo
New twist on underwriting flood risk: human-altered stream flows
March 11, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoHuman-altered stream flows, such as dams, canals or areas of heavy urbanization, are at a greater risk of flooding, new research finds. And this could potentially impact flood risk ratings, P&C industry experts say. A study by researchers at the…
Protecting homes against flood: What to tell your clients
February 22, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoCatastrophic flooding in communities has resulted in an average 8.2% reduction in the selling price of houses — and material implications on insurance, according to a new report by Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation and the University of Waterloo. …
Why some homeowners aren’t buying flood insurance
March 1, 2019 by Greg MeckbachOverland flood insurance might be easier to sell if homeowners could figure out how vulnerable their properties are. “What would be most useful for homeowners is they would be able to search their postal code or property address and be…
Will the Maritimes be insurable if climate change left unchecked?
July 29, 2018 by Jason ContantThe financial costs of flooding in the Maritimes could increase dramatically by the end of the century under a “business-as-usual climate scenario,” even without accounting for changes people have made to the environment that could increase exposure, according to a…
New software could make it easier to “adopt and trust” AI systems that set insurance premiums
October 6, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterNew software developed at the University of Waterloo (UWaterloo) in Ontario could make it easier to adopt and trust powerful artificial intelligence (AI) systems that set insurance premiums, generate stock market predictions and assess who qualifies for mortgages, the university…
Standard would help enhance flood resilience of new communities: report
September 26, 2017 by Angela StelmakowichResearch out of the University of Waterloo recommends a Canadian standard for new flood-resilient residential communities, one that employs almost two dozen best practices, be developed to bolster protection and reduce water-related losses. Requiring that new homes not be built…
New software can detect when people text and drive: University of Waterloo
September 11, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterComputer algorithms developed by engineering researchers at the University of Waterloo (UoW) in Ontario can accurately determine when drivers are texting or engaged in other distracting activities, the university reported on Friday. The system uses cameras and artificial intelligence (AI)…
Ontario and Michigan launch North America’s first cross-border automated vehicle test drive
July 31, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterOntario and Michigan are completing North America’s first cross-border automated vehicle test drive, Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) reported on Monday. The test drive began in Detroit and will continue from the Ontario cities of Windsor and Sarnia before crossing…
Maintaining wetlands could slash riverine flooding-related damage, local pilot project has national applicability: study
July 12, 2017 by Angela StelmakowichJust leaving current wetlands in their natural state could cause riverine flooding-related flood damage to plummet as much as 38% and should provide the impetus for communities to view natural infrastructure as a climate adaptation solution, notes a study from…
Majority of polled Canadians unaware of flood risks and responsibilities, half would not consider purchasing overland flood coverage: survey
May 5, 2017 by Jason ContantHomeowners in Canada lack awareness of flood risk and the protection options available to them to reduce that risk, suggests a new study from researchers at the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change and Partners for Action research network at Ontario’s…
Standards Council of Canada, Intact Centre on Climate Adaption to study flood resiliency for new residential communities
March 31, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation (Intact Centre) at the University of Waterloo have announced that they are joining forces to develop a new report on best practices for making new residential communities…
BlackBerry creates autonomous vehicle innovation centre in Ottawa
December 20, 2016 by Canadian UnderwriterBlackBerry has announced the creation of the BlackBerry QNX Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Centre (AVIC). John Chen, executive chairman and CEO of BlackBerry Limited and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled AVIC on Monday. Housed within the BlackBerry QNX facility in…