Automakers to recall 5M vehicles for another air bag problem
February 4, 2016 Tom Krisher - THE ASSOCIATED PRESSDETROIT – Another problem has developed with automotive air bags, this one resulting in recalls of up to 5 million vehicles worldwide. Continental Automotive Systems says in documents filed with the U.S. government that moisture can get inside its air…
No sign of slowdown in Canadian auto sales; January numbers accelerate 9.6%
February 2, 2016 The Canadian PressTORONTO – After a record-breaking year in 2015, Canadian auto sales continued to roar ahead in the first month of this year. DesRosiers Automotive Consultants says overall car and light truck sales rose to 108,553 in January, up 9.6 per…
Possibilities in 3D
February 1, 2016 Angela Stelmakowich, Editor3D printing is hardly new, but recent rapid development and seemingly endless potential uses has freshened consideration of the technology. Enhanced access and broadened applications, though, bring with them talk of additional risks and whether or not existing property and casualty insurance policies are sufficient to address how 3D printing technology could evolve in future.
Some insurers expected to adopt standardized first sheet of repairer assignment by mid-2016
January 31, 2016 Angela Stelmakowich, EditorAn initiative born of the need to standardize items appearing on the first notice of loss (FNOL) assignment from the insurer to the repairer – first announced at last year’s Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) – is kicking into gear,…
Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) Toronto Meeting, January 29, 2016
January 29, 2016 by Canadian UnderwriterA record 400+ repairers, insurers and suppliers representing the insurance claims and collision repair industries attended the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) meeting January 29 in Toronto. Leanne Jefferies, director of collision programs for the Automotive Industries Association of Canada…
U.S. gov’t: 10th death linked to exploding Takata air bags
January 22, 2016 Joan Lowy - THE ASSOCIATED PRESSWASHINGTON – Government officials say a Ford pickup driver killed last month in South Carolina is the 9th person to die in the U.S. and the 10th worldwide caused by defective Takata air bag inflators that explode, firing off shrapnel-like…
U.S. government proposes US$4 billion investment in connected vehicle systems over 10 years
January 15, 2016 by Canadian UnderwriterThe United States government is proposing nearly US$4 billion over 10 years for pilot programs to test connected vehicle systems in designated corridors throughout the country. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement on Thursday that the investment…
U.S. safety regulators: Only Jeep radios were vulnerable to hackers, recall fixed the problem
January 11, 2016 Tom Krisher - THE ASSOCIATED PRESSDETROIT – U.S. safety regulators have determined that only Fiat Chrysler radios have a security flaw that allowed friendly hackers to take control of a Jeep last year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in documents posted online Saturday…
Moves and Views
January 1, 2016 by Canadian Underwriter1 AssessMed Inc., a provider of independent medical evaluation services, has welcomed Donald Kunkel [1a] as its new president, replacing Brian Sutherland. Kunkel was most recently executive vice president, for AssessMed. Also at AssessMed, Brigitte Kearney [1b] is the company’s…
NHTSA confirms eighth U.S. death due to Takata air bag explosion, appoints independent monitor
December 23, 2015 Joan Lowy - THE ASSOCIATED PRESSWASHINGTON – A teen driver who died a few days after a July car crash near Pittsburgh has been confirmed as the eighth death in the U.S. due to an explosive air bag made by auto parts maker Takata, federal…
Average large business interruption claim 36% more costly than average property damage claim: Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty
December 9, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterThe average large business interruption (BI) property insurance claim is now in excess of US$2.4 million, 36% higher than the corresponding average property damage claim of just over US$1.7 million, according to a new report from Allianz Global Corporate &…
Driven Brands, Inc. acquires CARSTAR Canada
December 3, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterFranchise automotive company Driven Brands, Inc. announced on Wednesday that it has acquired CARSTAR Canada, one of the largest multi-store network of independently owned collision and glass centres in the country with more than 230 locations in 10 provinces. The…