Segment
Underwriting
Why it’s difficult for insurers to forecast future COVID-related losses
July 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachCommercial insured losses caused by the ongoing pandemic cost The Travelers Companies Inc. more than $100 million during the three months ending June 30, but it’s difficult to predict how much more it will cost the insurer in the long…
Hotels sue Aviva Canada for $150 million in proposed BI class action
July 27, 2020 by David GambrillLerners LLP has filed a proposed $150-million class-action lawsuit against Aviva Canada on behalf of hotels across the country, claiming that the hotels are entitled to coverage for loss of business income relating to COVID-19. “We know these are challenging…
How COVID affected the digital journeys of Aviva Canada and Marsh Canada
July 17, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe pandemic could permanently change the way brokers and insurers take advantage of digital services. “I think the interesting thing about COVID that we have seen – not just in the insurance industry but in the broader context – is…
The impact of surreptitious dangerous goods shipments on marine insurance
July 15, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe marine insurance sector saw a huge drop last year in the number of total shipping losses but the industry continues to have a problem with shippers trying to sneak hazardous and flammable cargo on board without declaring it. “Dangerous…
Why e-sports could be insurance’s next big opportunity
July 14, 2020 by Adam MalikOpportunities for insurance in the e-sports space has grown to a point where it can’t be ignored, says an industry observer. Video gaming is at an all-time high during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to information collected by data and measurement…
Briefing Note: Territories
July 13, 2020 Canadian Underwriter StaffNunavut and the Northwest Territories are feeling the effects of insurers pulling out of both areas. “We had Aviva Elite, who wrote probably all of the mobile homes in the Northwest Territories, discontinue writing [that line],” says Mark Harris, the…
Briefing Note: Prince Edward Island
July 11, 2020 Canadian Underwriter StaffSince the insurance industry in P.E.I. tends to mirror the insurance markets in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, it’s no surprise that Canada’s smallest province is also experiencing a hard commercial market. “One of the biggest things is capacity,” says…
Lloyd’s proposes “open source” frameworks for future pandemic coverage
July 6, 2020 by David GambrillLloyd’s of London is proposing three “open-source frameworks” to provide a blueprint for better protecting society against systemic catastrophic events such as pandemics, after noting the market will pay out between $3 billion and $4.3 billion to its global customers…
How insurtech Lemonade’s IPO is going so far
July 3, 2020 by Greg MeckbachDespite the pandemic-induced economic downturn, an insurtech that promises tenants quotes within minutes started trading this week on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of Lemonade Inc. rose sharply July 2, closing at US$69.41, more than double the price at…
Why the risk for small car drivers is growing
July 2, 2020 by Adam MalikSmall cars may be even more dangerous to drive these days just because they are sharing the road with an increasing number of larger vehicles, which have dominated new auto sales in recent years. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety…
What the court said about parents’ liability when hosting teen drinking parties
June 25, 2020 by David GambrillParents hosting a house party in which minors are drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana must be reasonable — but not perfect — when protecting teens against “foreseeable” risks, a B.C. court ruled in a recent social host liability case. The…
How auto dealership closures affected the industry
June 23, 2020 by Greg MeckbachCanada’s property and casualty insurance industry saw a steep drop this past April in the number of auto clients seeking policies for new vehicles, and it’s not clear how long a more recent rebound will last, the head of LowestRates.ca…