Insurer that paid $800,000 on home fuel oil spill cannot subrogate: Court
March 14, 2018 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorA home insurer that paid about $800,000 for an oil spill claim cannot sue the fuel companies in the insured’s name because the homeowner had declared bankruptcy, the Court of Appeal for Ontario ruled recently. Art and Wendy Douglas lived…
Expectations high that federal budget will make big investments in cybersecurity
February 23, 2018 Andy Blatchford and Jim Bronskill - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – Government and industry insiders have high expectations next week’s federal budget will contain big investments to help Canada reinforce its cybersecurity defences in an age of heightened global threats to businesses, privacy and democracy. A senior government official…
Artificial Intelligence, the latest cybersecurity threat
February 19, 2018 by Jason ContantArtificial intelligence (AI) could be a double-edged sword for Canada’s property and casualty insurance industry, offering several potentially positive outcomes, but at the same time a new cybersecurity threat. AI is consistently touted by the insurance industry for its potential…
B.C. lacks climate change policies, especially on wildfires and flooding: audit
February 15, 2018 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)VANCOUVER – British Columbia’s auditor general says the provincial government is working to adapt to the risks posed by climate change but it has no clear plan for wildfires and flooding. Carol Bellringer says there is little monitoring of progress…
Why are electronic pink slips being held up in Ontario?
February 8, 2018 by Jason ContantOntario’s insurance regulator, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), is still examining some of the complexities surrounding electronic proof of auto insurance (EPAI) before approving their use in the province, offering no timetable to launch EPAI in Ontario. “As…
A personal support worker seeking work? You’re an attendant care provider, arbitrator rules
February 7, 2018 by Jason ContantA catastrophically impaired driver can claim expenses incurred for attendant care services provided by his mother, a personal support worker [PSW] who was not employed when she cared for her son at the time of his accident, an Ontario arbitrator…
Insurers pushing for regulatory approval of electronic pink slips
February 6, 2018 by Jason ContantInsurers understand the need for electronic proof of auto insurance, but don’t yet have the ability to share this information electronically, Steve Kee, director of media and digital communications with the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), said in an interview…
Two minor fender benders lead to $362,000 award for future care
February 6, 2018 by David GambrillA B.C. woman has received a court award for $362,102 in damages after developing a debilitating neck pain following two minor fender benders that occurred three years apart. Even though the court reduced the award from what the injured driver…
Disaster planning: How to get insurance funds to evacuees
February 5, 2018 by David GambrillInsurance professionals should be planning in advance how they will get emergency funds into the hands of their insured clients during a natural catastrophe, a senior Intact Insurance executive told the C4 2018 conference in Ottawa Friday. Finding alternative ways…
How driverless trucks will affect Alberta’s oilsands
February 1, 2018 Dan Healing - THE CANADIAN PRESSCALGARY – About 400 jobs are expected to disappear at Suncor Energy Inc.’s oilsands mines in northern Alberta as it deploys driverless ore-hauling trucks to replace the ones humans operate now. “We have about 500 roles that will get eliminated…
How Nova Scotia is reducing auto tort awards
January 17, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA $40,000 award in a personal injury auto lawsuit has been cut down to zero because the plaintiff received Canada Pension Plan disability payments as a result of her injuries. Shirley Tibbetts was riding her motorcycle in Northern Antigonish County,…
Bank of Canada hikes interest rate to 1.25%, cites strong economic data
January 17, 2018 Andy Blatchford - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – The economy’s impressive run prompted the Bank of Canada to raise its trend-setting interest rate Wednesday for the third time since last summer – but looking ahead it warned of growing uncertainties about NAFTA. The central bank pointed…