What the court said about a family law approach to “spouse” in auto AB claim
July 11, 2018 by David GambrillThe meaning of the term “spouse” under the Family Law Act is not applicable when determining eligibility for accident benefits under an auto insurance policy, an Ontario court has ruled in a priority dispute between insurers. In Royal & Sun…
A northern light
July 10, 2018 Emily Atkins, EditorRocca Claims aims to attract talent to Ontario’s north
How the pieces of the puzzle fit together during a catastrophe
July 5, 2018 by Jason ContantFollowing a catastrophe, policyholders are best served when adjusters and contractors adhere to their professional limitations in managing a loss, an industry executive said Tuesday. Jim Eso, senior vice president of property and casualty with Crawford and Company (Canada) Inc.,…
Local M&A activity heats up in the claims industry
July 3, 2018 by Jason ContantIndependent adjusting firm Crawford & Company (Canada), Inc. has acquired Cherrie Griffith Ltd., a provider of risk and claims services in the Ottawa region for more than 10 years. The acquisition was the second in two months within the claims…
Contractors know their role: Restoration contracting firms speak out
July 3, 2018 by Jason ContantControversy has swirled around the property and casualty industry’s response to Ontario’s May 4 windstorm, with restoration contracting firms speaking out to Canadian Underwriter recently to confirm the proper role of contractors during the catastrophe event. Restoration contracting firms made…
ClaimsPro prepares dedicated adjuster team for marijuana legalization
June 22, 2018 by Jason ContantIndependent adjusting company ClaimsPro announced this week that it has prepared a dedicated adjuster team for the cannabis industry, just as Canada moves to legalize marijuana in October. The team will exclusively handle first- and third-party cannabis claims, such as…
Claims professionals speak out amid allegations of contractors providing insurance advice
June 21, 2018 by Jason ContantOntario and Quebec’s May 4 windstorm event has the Canadian claims industry talking about the proper roles of contractors and adjusters, based on unconfirmed reports that individual rogue contractors – e.g. not people associated with the larger restoration contracting firms –…
How training plays into claims adjusting during back-to-back cats
June 19, 2018 by Jason ContantWhen Canada experiences back-to-back catastrophes, it can be a challenge to pull together all the required resources in a timely fashion. Part of the puzzle is ensuring that claims adjusters and other parties are properly trained for the files they…
The obligation to defend additional insureds
June 19, 2018 Talaal Bond, partner, Matthews Abogado LLPIt was snowing heavily on February 8, 2013 when Antonio Carneiro Jr. drove his car downhill on Brock Rd. near Pickering, Ontario. He lost control. His vehicle slid into the path of an oncoming vehicle at the intersection with Whitevale…
Why mutuals partner with independent adjusters
June 15, 2018 by Jason ContantSmall insurers or mutuals may decide to partner with independent adjusting (IA) firms as a way of providing them with flexibility on costs and full-time staff. On May 30, Contractor Connection, a service line of IA firm Crawford & Company…
The untapped potential of telematics in auto claims
June 12, 2018 by Greg MeckbachTelematics, which records data on vehicle behaviour, is used now mainly for underwriting, but the technology can also provide a treasure trove of information for claims adjusters, one vendor suggests. Auto insurance claims adjusters could potentially use telematics to determine…
Does Canada have the adjusting resources to handle back-to-back catastrophes?
June 6, 2018 by Jason ContantDoes Canada’s property and casualty industry have enough resources in place to adjust major catastrophes that occur in tandem or right on the heels of each other? Industry resources in Ontario were tested after a severe ice storm in April,…