News
Ontario court rules that 60-day mediation timeframe is firm, despite case backlogs
February 10, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterDespite a serious mediation case backlog in Ontario, claimants may nonetheless proceed with legal actions against insurers if mediations are not completed within 60 days of an application for mediation being filed with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO),…
Mining insurance losses prompts withdrawal of capacity: Willis
February 9, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterA $3.5-billion total estimate of losses facing mining insurers in 2011 has prompted a 30% withdrawal in insurance capacity since the start of 2011, according to the latest Mining Market Review released by Willis Group Holdings plc (NYSE: WSH).Of these…
Honda Civic ranks as the most-often repaired vehicle in Ontario: survey
February 9, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Honda Civic ranks as the most-often repaired vehicle in Ontario, according to data collected from all body shops using Audatex estimating software.Art Lane, an Audatex district sales manager for Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, posted the information on Twitter. Lane…
Limitation period for a third party indemnity action is the same as when plaintiff’s cause of action against the third party accrues: Nova Scotia court
February 9, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Supreme Court of Nova Scotia has found the limitation period for a third party indemnity action in the province starts to run at the same time as a plaintiff’s cause of action against the proposed third party accrues.In doing…
Application of Ontario’s Minor Injury Guideline is “crazy right now”: AB lawyer
February 9, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe application of Ontario’s new Minor Injury Guideline (MIG), which defines the scope of minor injuries sustained in vehicle collisions, is “crazy right now,” according to Kadey B.J. Schultz, partner with Hughes Amys LLP. In some instances, she said, the…
Judicial ruling concerning Ontario’s minor injury treatment protocol unlikely before 2014-15
February 9, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterA judicial ruling in Ontario on the Minor Injury Guideline (MIG), introduced by the province in 2010 and which defines the scope of a minor injury, likely won’t happen before 2014 or even 2015, according to Kadey B.J. Schultz, partner…
Intact posts best underwriting performance in five years
February 8, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterIntact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC) reported an underwriting profit of $118 million in 2011 Q4, up significantly from the $21-million underwriting profit it reported in 2010 Q4.“Our excellent fourth quarter results rounded off a strong year for our company as…
Zurich Canada CEO Alister Campbell leaves Canadian business
February 8, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterZurich Canada CEO Alister Campbell is no longer with Zurich’s Canadian business, effective immediately, the company has announced to its brokers.“A smooth transition is planned and a successor will be named in due course,” Zurich wrote in a statement to…
Arab Spring will cause businesses in emerging markets to re-asses risk: Aon Political Risk Map
February 8, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterRegime changes and the political unrest arising from Arab Spring have raised concerns for businesses around the world, according to Aon’s 2012 Political Risk Map.“These uprisings and protests remain a key concern in 2012 and we see this reflected in…
Mediation applications in Ontario should be sent to insurers, not just the regulator: lawyer
February 8, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterAn application for mediation in Ontario does not have to be sent to an insurer, only the regulator, which is a problem with the system, according to Philippa Samworth, a partner with Dutton Brock LLP. Samworth spoke as a panel…
Insurers warned to prepare to help Ontario regulator clear mediation case backlogs
February 8, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterInsurance companies had better prepare for the effects of the Ontario insurance regulator’s stated intent to clear a backlog of mediation cases.Eric Grossman, a founding partner of Zarek Taylor Grossman Hanrahan LLP, moderated a panel discussion about the case backlog…
Economical adds former OSC chair and current chair of International Order of Foresters to board of directors
February 7, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Economical Insurance Group has added two new members to its board of directors.David Wilson, the past chair of the Ontario Securities Commission, and Richard Freeborough, chair of the International Order of Foresters and the board of governors of the…