Why commercial property claims could skyrocket after pot legalization
October 11, 2018 by David GambrillLarge-severity commercial property losses could be the upshot of the legalization of marijuana on Oct. 17, an insurance lawyer cautions. “I see there being more property loss-type claims coming out of these large [marijuana-growing] facilities, particularly the greenhouse facilities,” Aaron…
Rhodes & Williams expands with new merger
October 10, 2018 by Jason ContantThe Rhodes & Williams Group of Companies has merged with Caiger-Watson Insurance Brokers Ltd. The latter brokerage will operate under the name of Caiger-Watson Insurance Brokers, a division of Rhodes & Williams Limited. Clients of Caiger-Watson will continue to be…
Canadian drivers don’t fully understand cannabis impairment
October 4, 2018 by David GambrillCanadians know that driving while high on marijuana causes a risk to road safety, but they don’t seem to understand cannabis impairment fully, according to a recent Leger poll conducted on behalf of the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). Eighty-four…
How “differentiated” technology will change M&A valuations
October 3, 2018 by Jason ContantBuyers are increasingly targeting “differentiated” technology in merger and acquisition (M&A) deals, knowing they are going to be judged on the potential of what they can achieve with the technology they are purchasing. The value of an acquisition will increasingly…
A ‘lessee’ is not necessarily the person who paid for the rented vehicle
October 2, 2018 by David GambrillA “lessee” under Ontario’s Insurance Act is the person whom the rental company would sue to enforce the rental contract, a court reaffirmed Monday. In Aviva v. Wawanesa, the Ontario Superior Court decided a recent priority dispute between insurers. The…
Why your clients are increasingly exposed to wildfire losses
September 28, 2018 by Greg MeckbachClimate change has turned the risk of wildfire into a year-round peril in Western Canada, a geography expert says. In the past, wildfire season started in April or May and ended some time in October, said Dominic Ford, senior geospatial…
Could smart cities be held liable for driverless car crashes?
September 27, 2018 by Jason ContantFully autonomous vehicles that communicate with other vehicles and city infrastructure will create a brand new exposure for insurers and municipalities. Traditionally, when there is a pedestrian bodily injury claim from a vehicle accident, there is two parties – the…
Car surfing covered by auto insurance, court finds
September 27, 2018 by David GambrillAuto insurance covers “car surfing,” in which a person rides on the top or rear of a moving vehicle, an Ontario court has found. “Car surfing or attaching oneself to a vehicle, while reckless and dangerous, is not a more…
Some Canadian police forces question roadside marijuana testing devices
September 26, 2018 Laura Kane - THE CANADIAN PRESSVANCOUVER – Some Canadian police forces are hesitant to use a federally approved roadside test for marijuana impairment, raising questions about the Liberal government’s decision to give the devices the green light. Vancouver’s police department is among those that won’t…
What made the Dunrobin tornado so unique
September 24, 2018 by Jason ContantOne tornado that struck the Dunrobin, Ont. area Friday was only the second EF3 twister to touch down in the province in September or later – and the first during this time period in 120 years, said Glenn McGillivray, managing…
Top 5 signs an insured may be committing address fraud
September 20, 2018 by Jason ContantThere are countless “red flags” that insurers should examine to help determine if a claimant is committing address fraud, an insurance defence lawyer said Tuesday at the Canadian Association of Special Investigation Units’ (CASIU) 2018 Fraud Conference in Toronto. Andrew…
Why Quebec’s largest brokerage doubled up on life insurance
September 11, 2018 by Jason ContantFor its latest acquisition, Quebec’s largest brokerage decided to look outside its traditional stronghold of property and casualty insurance, which represents about 90% of its revenue base. On Aug. 8, Lussier Dale Parizeau announced the acquisition of Trinome Conseils. Patrice…