News
How this insurer fared against a drunk driver’s “regurgitation” defence
July 10, 2018 by David GambrillAfter a drunk driver regurgitates alcohol from the stomach to the mouth, taking a breathalyzer test just seconds shy of a 15-minute wait period doesn’t necessarily render the test invalid, a B.C. court has found. In reaching its conclusion, the…
Paid Steering the Course: Course of Construction (COC) Insurance Options
July 10, 2018 by Neil Jeanson, Senior Class Underwriter, XL CatlinAll it takes is a spark. From a sander. Or errant cigarette. And POW! Igniting common, flammable construction materials like wood, solvents, packaging, and gasoline and turning a work in progress to a pile of ash. It’s a powerful blow…
Tropical Storm Chris tracks towards Nova Scotia
July 9, 2018 by Greg MeckbachStorm weather arising from a hurricane could hit Nova Scotia Wednesday night, with a low but not zero probability of hurricane-force winds hitting Canada’s east coast. Tropical Storm Chris is expected to start moving northeast and reach hurricane status Tuesday,…
These directors resigned from their board but still got sued
July 9, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA recently-announced agreement to settle a lawsuit valued at $500,000 shows the liability risk faced by directors of Ontario-based companies with overseas operations. Even though four directors and officers had resigned, citing a lack of cooperation with the company’s managers…
Beware of this water-related risk excluded by CGL
July 9, 2018 by Greg MeckbachIf water damage is top of mind for property insurers, does this mean mold is covered by a commercial general liability policy? Not necessarily. Commercial brokers should make sure they aware of exclusions in CGL policies that would prevent their…
Looking to grow your E&O? Consider emerging classes of consultants
July 9, 2018 by David GambrillAn emerging class of professional consultants is a new area of opportunity for brokers seeking to place errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. “We as a society have changed to become more service-oriented,” says Marilyn vanGansewinkel, vice president of specialty insurance…
Brokerlink expands Ontario presence with latest acquisition
July 9, 2018 by David GambrillBrokerlink, one of Canada’s largest property and casualty insurance brokerages, has expanded its presence in Ontario with the acquisition of three new brokerages. Ontario brokerages Adriatic Insurance Brokers Ltd., Magermans & Raes Insurance Brokers Ltd., and Insurance Protection Group Inc.…
Insurers jumping out of the trampoline business
July 8, 2018 by Jason ContantCanadian insurers are jumping out of the trampoline business. Gina Bennett, vice president of Markel Canada’s western region, told Canadian Underwriter Thursday that there are few markets to approach for trampoline risks, as most sports insurance carriers have exited writing…
Why this city is billed as “progressive” in reducing flood risk
July 8, 2018 by Greg MeckbachToronto is one of the most progressive cities in taking steps to reduce basement flood risk, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) director of research Dan Sandink said Thursday in an interview. And a ban on below-grade garages is Exhibit A…
Clear policy exclusion wins the day in class action against credit union
July 8, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA clear exclusion pertaining to fees and commissions in a credit union’s professional liability policy means Liberty International Underwriters will not have to defend a British Columbia credit union against a class-action lawsuit related to machine charges outside of Canada. Coast…
Why fully automated cars are a lot further away than you think
July 8, 2018 by Jason ContantDon’t hold your breath waiting for the first fully autonomous car to hit the streets anytime soon. Car manufacturers have projected for years that we might have fully automated cars on the roads by 2018. But for all the hype that…
Truck driver criminally charged in Humboldt Broncos bus crash
July 7, 2018 by Dean Bennett - THE CANADIAN PRESSThe driver of a transport truck faces 29 criminal charges in a fatal collision that killed 16 people, including 10 players, with the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team. Thirteen other players were injured. RCMP say Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, 29, is…