Segment
Reinsurance
How Canada’s top court just bolstered pandemic BI exclusions
April 1, 2022 by David GambrillCanada’s top court has dismissed the appeal in a nuclear reactor case that trial lawyers might have used as a precedent to challenge the physical damage policy exclusions found in many pandemic-related business interruption insurance cases. As is customary, the…
Placing business with non-licensed markets: What to look for
March 31, 2022 Greg MeckbachClients looking for property and casualty coverage have options other than insurers licensed to write coverage in Canada. But brokers and managing general agents say there are hazards and tax implications when placing with an unlicensed or non-admitted insurer. And…
Risk of flood loss is now on par with primary perils: Swiss Re
March 31, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoSecondary peril events such as flooding are becoming just as big of a threat — or worse — to global property and casualty insurers than primary perils, Swiss Re Institute’s recent sigma study finds. “The loss potential from single flood…
Ratings agency suspends commercial activities in Russia
March 30, 2022 Philip PoradoGetting ahead of a European Union-imposed Apr. 15 sanctions deadline, a major global credit ratings agency specializing in the insurance industry has suspended all commercial activities in Russia. AM Best said it’s also withdrawn all credit ratings on reinsurance companies…
Industry’s return on equity sky-high in 2021
March 30, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAt 18%, the industry’s return on equity was sky-high for the first three quarters of 2021, but industry observers warn this could be cut in half in two years. While these high profits have reduced solvency risk for most…
How Canada’s P&C industry feels about COVID safety in their offices
March 30, 2022 by David GambrillMore than seven out of 10 Canadian P&C industry professionals feel protected from COVID in their new hybrid office arrangements, according to an online poll conducted this week by Canadian Underwriter. Over 650 P&C professionals answered CU‘s survey, including brokers,…
Brokers say stress may cause them to leave industry, survey finds
March 29, 2022 Philip PoradoBeing an insurance broker has always come with its share of stress but verbatim responses to Canadian Underwriter‘s 2022 National Broker Survey found specific mentions of its impact on work satisfaction. One respondent who indicated they were highly like to…
How war in Ukraine may impact business loss claims
March 25, 2022 Philip PoradoCanada’s insurers are in a bit of a holding pattern about how war in Ukraine may drive claims activity among businesses with ties to the region. Canadian Underwriter contacted numerous insurers and the consensus on any changes to claims and…
Supply chain concerns overshadow logistics data hacks
March 24, 2022 Philip PoradoWhile the winter freedom convoy protests and bridge blockades highlighted Canada’s strained supply chains, insured business interruption events linked to logistics problems were common long before the pandemic. Insurers working with logistics clients note congested ports and a lack of…
One way for the P&C industry to train new young leaders
March 24, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoThe P&C industry is struggling to find talent to fill the leadership skills gap, but a new program designed to get prospective executives to hit the ground running may be able to help with that. The New Leader Integration program,…
A new way for insurers to handle construction delays and cost overruns
March 17, 2022 Jonathan E. McNattySince 2016, the federal government’s slated nearly $100 billion to support development of transit extensions, shipping port improvements, affordable housing and more. When private-sector construction slowed in March 2020, federal infrastructure building quickly filled the gap. And, throughout 2021, both…
What if the disaster models are wrong?
March 14, 2022 Canadian Underwriter StaffFor nearly a quarter century, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) has required Canadian P&C carriers to demonstrate capacity for handling major earthquakes, including so-called one-in-500 year events. Canada’s P&C industry is well capitalized and backed by…