Appeal court overturns controversial ruling on auto coverage arising from overseas accident
February 7, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA controversial 2019 court ruling — in which the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench found that a client struck by a motorcycle in the Philippines is covered by Alberta’s family protection endorsement — has been reversed on appeal. “The SEF…
Why the auditor red-flagged a government agency’s cloud computing risk management practices
December 12, 2019 by Greg MeckbachHere is a textbook example of how your cyber clients should not be managing their risks, according to Alberta’ auditor general. The province’s auditor red-flagged the example of Travel Alberta Corporation, a provincial agency that moved most of its software…
Now that Alberta’s cap is gone, what next?
September 4, 2019 by Greg MeckbachGiving Alberta’s auto insurance regulator discretion in allowing rate increases of over 5% is good news for the industry, but more needs to be done to address claims costs, the Insurance Bureau of Canada warns. In 2017, the province’s regulator…
Alberta axes 5% cap on auto rate hikes
September 3, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe 5% ceiling on Alberta auto rate increases is history, but that does not mean the sky is the limit. “Allowing [the 5%] limitation to expire is necessary to ensure a sustainable industry that can best serve the needs of…
We will rise from those ashes:’ Ranch still rebuilding two years after
August 30, 2019 Lauren Krugel - THE CANADIAN PRESSCALGARY – Melody Garner-Skiba and her family have had some tough conversations since a wildfire raged into Waterton Lakes National Park in southeastern Alberta two years ago, spread into nearby grassland and destroyed their horse-breeding ranch. “It’s definitely taken a…
Ten-vehicle crash in Alberta kills three
August 21, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSCEREAL, Alta. – A Saskatchewan man says a well-timed pit stop may have helped him avoid getting caught in a fiery 10-vehicle crash in southeastern Alberta that killed three people. Dore Germo and his wife left Kelowna, B.C., on Monday…
Digital pink cards get green light in third province
August 13, 2019 by Adam MalikA third Canadian province has been given the go-ahead for electronic proof of insurance for drivers. The Alberta government gave the OK for drivers to show their pink cards in a digital format through their smartphone this week, following the…
Two dead after tow plane and glider collide in southern Alberta
July 30, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSBLACK DIAMOND, Alta. – Emergency medical officials say two people are dead after a glider crashed southwest of Calgary. EMS responded to reports of the crash near the Cu Nim Gliding Club, east of Black Diamond, Alta., shortly before 4…
Severe weather lashes Saskatchewan town, spawns tornado in Alberta
July 15, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSRoofs were ripped off buildings and power lines were toppled when wind gusting at well over 100 kilometres an hour and packing toonie-size hail lashed the west-central Saskatchewan town of Eston. There are no immediate reports of injuries following the…
Finding solutions as brokers face cancelled contracts
June 11, 2019 by Adam MalikReal, sustainable solutions are needed to curb what’s being called a “devastating” time for some brokers in Alberta. The Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta (IBAA) has put together a task force to come up with ways to resolve what the…
Wildfire destroys homes in Alberta Metis settlement
May 31, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMore than a dozen homes in a northern Alberta Metis community have been destroyed by an aggressive wildfire and there are concerns that more properties may be consumed. “It’s like a burnt piece of toast up there,” said Blake Desjarlais…
Wildfires force more people out of their homes in northern Alberta
May 30, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSMore people are being forced from their homes as several wildfires rage out-of-control in northern Alberta and blanket areas to the south in an acrid haze. The Alberta government issued an emergency alert early this morning for Chipewyan Lake Village,…