How COVID-19 is changing virtual medical assessments
March 16, 2020 by Adam MalikVirtual medical assessments could play a significant role in keeping the insurance industry moving along during the COVID-19 pandemic. But conducting such procedures will be changing as people are urged to stay home. “COVID-19 has brought this up to the…
Why these company execs say claims isn’t yet ready for the future
January 23, 2020 by Adam MalikBe it the Internet of Things, business process automation, environmental concerns, or a whole host of other emerging trends and challenges, the claims industry is behind the times when it comes to being ready to take these on these issues,…
What reinsurance renewals on Jan. 1 told us about the market
January 2, 2020 by David GambrillReinsurance renewals at Jan. 1, 2020 reflected an “asymmetrical” market, featuring a mixed bag of rate increases or decreases (depending on the specific business line or territory), as well as significant rate increases in the retrocession markets, according to Guy…
What the judge said when a trial lawyer accused an insurer of “playing hardball” with his elderly client
December 31, 2019 by David GambrillAn elderly resident who lost her slip-and-fall claim against a retirement home does not have to pay the legal costs of the home’s insurance company because the insurer’s legal strategy was “at risk of allegations of playing hardball,” the Ontario…
How to make a good first step in the fight against auto fraud an even better one
September 12, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe launch of Canadian National Insurance Crime Services [CANATICS] was a good move in the fight against auto claims fraud, but Canada is still at a disadvantage to other countries, a former police detective and senior Aviva claims executive said…
You can’t teach claims adjusters this skill
September 11, 2019 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorAs the chief claims officer for Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, Erin Fischer hears one question all the time. “The Number 1 question I get is: Do you need to hire claims people who are technical experts?’” Fischer said Wednesday. Although…
How dashcams are settling insurance and liability questions
August 15, 2019 Dan Healing - THE CANADIAN PRESSCALGARY – In a video taken through the windshield of Dung Le’s 15-year-old Toyota Echo, an oncoming car breaks the monotony of a wide, nearly empty street on a quiet August morning in a sprawling residential Edmonton neighbourhood. As it…
Why urban drivers may actually be better risks than rural drivers
August 2, 2019 by Adam MalikDrivers in the heavily populated Greater Toronto Area are less likely to have a ticket, a collision or both on their record compared to those in more rural communities in Ontario. The counter-intuitive result came from a recent study by…
One simple way to avoid a claims dispute
July 2, 2019 by Greg MeckbachSome claims disputes can be prevented entirely with better communication between clients and insurers, suggests an engineer for a firm that investigates property damage. “I couldn’t put a number on it, but I would say a large number of the…
How brokers can stop a flooded basement
April 16, 2019 by David GambrillA recent study suggests brokers have a golden opportunity to talk to homeowners one-on-one about how to protect homes from basement floods. With the right information and often for less than $500, homeowners can protect themselves from the increasing risks…
A northern light
July 10, 2018 Emily Atkins, EditorRocca Claims aims to attract talent to Ontario’s north
Tropical Storm Chris tracks towards Nova Scotia
July 9, 2018 by Greg MeckbachStorm weather arising from a hurricane could hit Nova Scotia Wednesday night, with a low but not zero probability of hurricane-force winds hitting Canada’s east coast. Tropical Storm Chris is expected to start moving northeast and reach hurricane status Tuesday,…