Regulator greenlights Echelon Insurance acquisition
May 31, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA $166-million deal aimed at getting CAA Insurance some new non-standard auto customers is a done deal. CAA Club Group’s acquisition of Echelon Insurance got final regulatory approval, Echelon Financial Holdings Inc. announced Thursday. The deal officially closed on May…
Competitive insurance industry urged to collaborate more often
May 31, 2019 by Adam MalikTo get the best out of your collaboration efforts, get outside of your comfort zone. The best companies understand the value of collaboration, said Sven Roehl, co-founder of Cookhouse Lab, an insurtech innovation firm. But they also understand they need…
BrokerLink makes third acquisition in May
May 31, 2019 by Jason ContantBrokerLink has made its third acquisition in May with the purchase of Alberta independent insurance brokerage Thomson Schindle Green Insurance & Financial Services Ltd. (TSG). With branches in Medicine Hat, Calgary, Brooks, Bassano and Edmonton, TSG has been providing insurance…
Don’t count on self-driving cars being just around the corner
May 29, 2019 by Greg MeckbachIf you are led to believe most of your clients will get around in self-driving cars within a decade, you might want to think again. “Autonomous vehicles will likely not be on our roads for at least another 25-30 years,…
Right of way at roundabout debated in cyclist’s injury lawsuit
May 29, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA pickup truck driver who was hit by a bicycle in a roundabout is 100% liable for the accident, a British Columbia judge ruled in a decision released today. Cyclist Javad Behragam is suing Peter Paviglianiti as a result of…
This aspect of automated vehicle technology is confusing your clients
May 28, 2019 by Greg MeckbachIs it your client’s fault if they got into an accident in a partly-automated vehicle because they failed to understand exactly what the car’s computer could and could not do? “I’m sure it will be fought in court battles over…
Pressure builds to end auto insurance monopoly
May 28, 2019 by Adam MalikCalls to end a provincial stranglehold on auto insurance are growing as business groups, municipalities and the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) have taken up the cause. ICBC, on the other hand, is saying the high claims costs the public…
This ‘leading practitioner’ in insurance law is now a judge
May 27, 2019 by Greg MeckbachCORRECTION NOTICE: In an earlier version of this story, Glen L.C. Noel was incorrectly identified as a lawyer representing Lloyd’s in Lawlor v. Royal. In fact, Noel represented Mary Lawlor in that case. Canadian Underwriter regrets the error. Glen L.C.…
Why off-road vehicles could get more mileage in Ontario
May 27, 2019 by Greg MeckbachIf you insure off-road vehicles in Ontario, some of those machines could soon be driven more frequently on the road. Bill 107, which would ease restrictions on driving off-road vehicles on municipal roads, passed second reading and was referred Tuesday…
What you will be insuring in 10 years (hint: not so much auto)
May 27, 2019 by Adam MalikExpect to write less auto coverage with the rise of autonomous vehicles in 10 years’ time, and more coverage related to climate change, property lines, and emerging risks. Thanks to the progress expected of autonomous vehicles, auto insurance will plateau,…
Job hunters are changing the rules around work
May 17, 2019 by Adam MalikEmployers are being expected to offer flexible working options. And job seekers are more than happy to turn down an offer if they aren’t included. IWG, which operates virtual offices around the world, recently released its annual global study which…
How this property restoration firm got in and out of trouble
May 17, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA restoration contractor whose employee drove a company vehicle with a suspended licence is getting its truck back from police impoundment. A man identified as “C.S.” was pulled over in Barrie late Friday evening March 15 while driving a 2017…