How insurance helps when converting office buildings to housing
September 29, 2023 Philip PoradoCanada’s housing crisis has deepened since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. And when office vacancy rates across Canada topped 17% in 2022 Q4, calls grew louder to convert some of that unused commercial space into residential units. What’s more,…
Why strong housing markets have builders tweaking their insurance
September 14, 2023 Philip PoradoBooming real estate markets in many Canadian cities have top-tier developers considering building sites they might previously have written off. “Here in Toronto, we know the city was heavily industrialized with old manufacturers that were there 100 years before going…
How NFP’s updating construction and infrastructure operations
September 7, 2023 Philip PoradoProperty and casualty broker NFP announced it will integrate its surety practice into its Construction & Infrastructure (C&I) group, which supports companies in the construction space. These changes impact operations worldwide, including Canada, NFP said. “Surety plays a vital role…
Why resolving claims disputes is about more than numbers
April 11, 2023 Derek SayersWant to increase the likelihood of a construction project insurance claim being accepted? Take the time to validate each aspect of that claim. The upfront work will make it easier for any umpires, mediators, consultants or lawyers brought in to…
Why the pandemic hit these Canadian sectors particularly hard
August 16, 2022 by Jason ContantHospitality was the sector hardest hit by the pandemic in Canada, but that industry was already challenged with access to capacity prior to both the pandemic and the current hard market, Deloitte said in a recent report. The impacts of…
Two dead, 10 injured in multi-vehicle crash on highway south of Montreal
July 21, 2022 The Canadian PressBROSSARD, Que. – Quebec provincial police say two people are dead and 10 injured after a multi-vehicle crash Tuesday night on Highway 30, south of Montreal. Police say the driver of a truck allegedly did not slow down when approaching…
The cheaper we build our buildings, the more they cost after an earthquake, wildfire or tornado
June 17, 2022 Keith PorterBy Keith Porter, adjunct research professor, civil and environmental engineering, Western University This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original…
Key challenges facing your construction industry clients
April 6, 2022 by Jason ContantAn ongoing labour shortage, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is one of the key issues facing the construction industry in general, says the head of risk control with Travelers Canada. “I think the biggest prolonged challenge that comes around, seems…
How brokers can help clients nip construction defects in the bud
April 5, 2022 by Jason ContantUnderstanding proper storage and handling of materials can help your construction clients avoid a loss later down the road. Being able to identify material damaged by ultraviolet rays or weather is a key component of a construction risk management plan,…
Recent NatCats reveal need to boost construction standards
February 4, 2022 Greg MeckbachEnforcing existing building codes, bringing in new construction standards and improving community planning are among the measures governments can take to mitigate the cost of property losses from natural catastrophes, industry watchers say. And arming consumers with better information about…
Paid Knowledgeable underwriting team is key to minimizing construction risk, losses
November 29, 2021 CansureWith an overall increase of 48.2% in housing starts across Canada at the beginning of 2021 and a GDP of well over $154B, it’s no surprise that the construction sector continues to be a hot topic across the insurance industry.…
MGA merger: RAISE Underwriting to acquire United Surety
November 10, 2021 Canadian Underwriter StaffSpecialty managing general agent (MGA) RAISE Underwriting in Toronto announced an agreement to acquire Mississauga-based independent MGA United Surety. The acquisition is scheduled to close January 1, 2022. RAISE CEO Matt Baynton said in a press release Nov. 4, “By…