How this insurer fared against a drunk driver’s “regurgitation” defence
July 10, 2018 by David GambrillAfter a drunk driver regurgitates alcohol from the stomach to the mouth, taking a breathalyzer test just seconds shy of a 15-minute wait period doesn’t necessarily render the test invalid, a B.C. court has found. In reaching its conclusion, the…
Beware of this water-related risk excluded by CGL
July 9, 2018 by Greg MeckbachIf water damage is top of mind for property insurers, does this mean mold is covered by a commercial general liability policy? Not necessarily. Commercial brokers should make sure they aware of exclusions in CGL policies that would prevent their…
Looking to grow your E&O? Consider emerging classes of consultants
July 9, 2018 by David GambrillAn emerging class of professional consultants is a new area of opportunity for brokers seeking to place errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. “We as a society have changed to become more service-oriented,” says Marilyn vanGansewinkel, vice president of specialty insurance…
Insurers jumping out of the trampoline business
July 8, 2018 by Jason ContantCanadian insurers are jumping out of the trampoline business. Gina Bennett, vice president of Markel Canada’s western region, told Canadian Underwriter Thursday that there are few markets to approach for trampoline risks, as most sports insurance carriers have exited writing…
Clear policy exclusion wins the day in class action against credit union
July 8, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA clear exclusion pertaining to fees and commissions in a credit union’s professional liability policy means Liberty International Underwriters will not have to defend a British Columbia credit union against a class-action lawsuit related to machine charges outside of Canada. Coast…
The evolving nature of business interruption
July 6, 2018 Aleksandra ZivanovicIn the face of climate change, cyber risks, and mass terror plots affecting entire regions and sometimes economic sectors, business interruption coverage is a challenging coverage to both write and adjust. This challenge is multi-faceted and directly impacted by global…
Court finds coverage for subcontractors when broad policy provision included by accident
July 5, 2018 by David GambrillA B.C. court has found that a design-build contractor and an architectural and engineering firm are both entitled to coverage under a Lloyd’s Underwriters policy that included a broad provision to insure “any firm(s)” providing “professional services” to a B.C.…
How to explore an untapped market in identity fraud protection
July 5, 2018 by Jason ContantWhile the majority of polled Canadians (86%) believe they are increasingly at risk of identity fraud, only about one-quarter have identity fraud protection, a recent survey has found. Conducted on behalf of Vancouver-based fintech company Mogo, the survey polled 1,514…
How the pieces of the puzzle fit together during a catastrophe
July 5, 2018 by Jason ContantFollowing a catastrophe, policyholders are best served when adjusters and contractors adhere to their professional limitations in managing a loss, an industry executive said Tuesday. Jim Eso, senior vice president of property and casualty with Crawford and Company (Canada) Inc.,…
Contractors know their role: Restoration contracting firms speak out
July 3, 2018 by Jason ContantControversy has swirled around the property and casualty industry’s response to Ontario’s May 4 windstorm, with restoration contracting firms speaking out to Canadian Underwriter recently to confirm the proper role of contractors during the catastrophe event. Restoration contracting firms made…
What Canadians think of their travel medical insurance
June 29, 2018 by Jason ContantMore than eight in 10 polled Canadians who have purchased travel medical insurance are “satisfied with the product and the value it provides” and 98% of those who made claims in the past year were fully or partially paid, a…
In search of cannabis product liability coverage
June 28, 2018 by Greg MeckbachBrokers looking to place product liability policies for cannabis vendors might face an uphill battle. The cannabis industry “desperately” needs access to the same coverage that insurers already provide to non-cannabis businesses in agriculture pharmaceutical or manufacturing, said Wendy Sinclair,…