Segment
Underwriting
With the pandemic abated, OSFI restarts work on IFRS 17
August 17, 2020 by David GambrillThree things in life are inevitable — death, taxes, and the transition to IFRS 17. With the country now over what appears to be the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic thus far, Canada’s solvency regulator, the Office of the Superintendent…
Why it’s hard to make telematics ‘commercially viable’ in Canada
August 13, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf regulators continue to prohibit auto insurers from imposing surcharges when they detect risky driving behaviour through telematics, it will be difficult for usage-based insurance to be commercially viable, an Aviva Canada data science expert suggests. “Telematics is a good…
Brokers urged to remind clients: Home policies won’t cover ‘pandemic pods’
August 13, 2020 by David GambrillAs schools across the country prepare for re-opening in September, skittish parents who are not in favour of in-class learning for their children are setting up so-called “pandemic pods” to home-school small groups of children in the home. But brokers…
Balancing Act
August 8, 2020 CIP SocietyWhat happens when an agreement is breached due to COVID-19? Experts share their thoughts
Wildfire risk is elevated this year. Why the pandemic made it worse
August 7, 2020 by Adam MalikThe central and Pacific coast of British Columbia could see an increased risk of wildfires this year, a new report predicts. And COVID-19 restrictions could make the risk higher, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty warned in its 2020 Wildfire Report,…
The Herculean task required to reduce liability claims involving autonomous vehicles
July 30, 2020 by Adam MalikAutonomous vehicles need their own space to operate, a report says, and auto executives agree that putting them on the same roads as human-driven cars in a mixed-use environment will only increase liability claims. “As autonomous technology develops and matures,…
The other financial hit your commercial client takes after a flood
July 29, 2020 by Adam MalikFM Global is raising concerns about companies that don’t practice flood mitigation on their properties, warning that flooding perils decrease an organization’s value by 5% a year after the event. Investors will have their confidence shaken regarding the company’s decision-making…
Claimant learns the difference between “hit-and-run” and collision damage
July 28, 2020 by David GambrillA driver in B.C. is out $1,777 for incorrectly telling the public auto insurer that damage to his parked vehicle was the result of a “hit-and-run,” as opposed to collision damage. Jiameng Wang took Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC)…
P&C insurers can handle severe weather events, but for how long?
July 27, 2020 by Adam MalikCanadian property and casualty insurers should be able to manage well financially for the time being, despite currently dealing with a pandemic and the fourth-most expensive natural catastrophe in the country’s history, says global credit rating agency DBRS Morningstar. However,…
Insurer working on future pandemic coverage for school boards, post-COVID
July 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAs the Ontario government prepares its school re-opening plan, the insurer for the majority of the province’s boards is working on a plan to provide pandemic coverage, albeit for future pandemics and not for COVID-19. Within the next six to…
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…