Canadian Underwriter


News Insurance

Why the global protection gap is the lowest it’s been in 14 years

January 22, 2019 by David Gambrill

Globally, the protection gap in 2018 shrunk to 60% – the lowest level it has been in 14 years, according to a new report on global catastrophes by Aon plc. Extreme weather drove the majority of the globe’s $225-billion worth

News InsuranceRisk

Why CBI insurance is on the rise in Canada

January 16, 2019 by Jason Contant

Contingent business interruption (CBI) insurance is on the rise in Canada, with an increase in both demand and higher limits, says the CEO and chief agent for Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) Canada. “This is one of the most

News AdjustersClaimsInsuranceRisk

An adjuster’s take on the hazards of cannabis edibles

January 14, 2019 by Jason Contant

Edibles containing cannabis are expected to become legal in Canada later this year, so insurance professionals are encouraging social hosts and commercial establishments to ensure their guests are consuming these products responsibly. With the legalization of recreational marijuana in Canada

News ClaimsLegal

How waivers of liability could be harder to enforce

January 10, 2019 by Greg Meckbach

The Supreme Court of Canada could make a landmark decision on whether clients facing personal injury lawsuits can enforce waivers in court. In Schnarr v. Blue Mountain Resorts Limited, the Court of Appeal for Ontario ruled in early 2018 that for

News InsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Why Canadian insurers are reticent to enter the cannabis space

January 8, 2019 by Jason Contant

With signs of a hard insurance market in Canada, it appears that a lot of insurers are still reticent about entering the cannabis space. “When an insurance cycle goes a little bit harder, when insurers are trying to put their

News InsuranceRiskTechnology

How not to deal with a ransomware attack

December 19, 2018 by Greg Meckbach

Your client should never have to negotiate with a cyber criminal even if that client has suffered a ransomware attack, cyber security experts advise. Ransomware is a type of computer malware that prevents clients from either using their computers or

News InsuranceTechnology

How ransomware can become a broker’s cyber selling point

December 18, 2018 by Jason Contant

Brokers placing cyber coverage for healthcare clients may want to take note of a new survey that found for many Canadian businesses, ransomware isn’t a one-time occurrence. Of those polled that said they knew of a ransomware attack in their

News ClaimsInsurance

How costly is the fire peril for Canadian insurers?

December 13, 2018 by Jason Contant

The traditional fire peril continues to cost Canadian insurers, with fire/explosion accounting for almost a quarter (23%) of commercial claims by value, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) said in its new Global Claims Review report, released Thursday. AGCS analyzed

News Legislation / RegulationRisk

This commercial line could see $24 million revenue increase

December 12, 2018 by Greg Meckbach

Federal regulations requiring liability insurance for boats that carry passengers take effect Jan. 11, Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced Wednesday. It is estimated the industry will make $24.8 million more, over 10 years, than it otherwise would have, the federal

News ClaimsInsuranceLegal

Does CGL’s duty to defend apply to the insurance policy as a whole?

December 10, 2018 by Jason Contant

An insurer’s duty to defend under a provision in a commercial general liability (CGL) form is applicable to the insurance policy as a whole, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta has ruled. In a decision released Friday, the court

News InsuranceRisk

How to grow in an era of new, intangible business risks

December 6, 2018 by David Gambrill

As business risks become more global, interconnected and less tangible, brokers and insurers should expand their dialogue with clients about loss mitigation or loss prevention, the chief executive of CNA Canada says. “An insurance policy today isn’t really enough,” CNA

News InsuranceTechnology

The real risk to SMEs from data breaches

December 4, 2018 by Jason Contant

Changes to Canadian privacy laws expose small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada to potentially higher compliance costs and civil liability in the event of a data breach, according to a new report from commercial insurer Aon. On Nov. 1,