How mistake on last digit of postal code can affect auto rate
March 25, 2019 by Greg MeckbachWhen Kinga Surma moved eight kilometres to a new home, her auto insurance rate went up by $80 a month. “I wasn’t moving very far away,” Surma, Progressive Conservative MPP for the Toronto riding of Etobicoke Centre, told the Ontario…
How workers compensation claims impact directors’ liability
March 22, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA corporate director in Alberta can be personally sued by a worker injured on the job even when that employee has workers’ compensation coverage through the province, the Court of Appeal of Alberta has ruled. Doug Stewart was a director…
New insurance coverage for shared travel accommodations
March 21, 2019 by Jason ContantHas your client booked travel accommodations through platforms like Airbnb, HomeAway and Trip Advisor? If so, they are now able to get insurance coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions. CAA Travel Insurance announced Wednesday it has added a new feature…
The challenges in navigating the ridesharing insurance minefield
March 20, 2019 by Jason ContantDespite using a wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary and third-party insurance, ridesharing company Lyft Inc. cannot ensure its coverage will sustain all of its business risks and costs, the company acknowledged in a recent stock-listing prospectus of risk factors. San Francisco,…
This Supreme Court ruling could drive environmental insurance sales
March 19, 2019 by Greg MeckbachBrokers could see more demand for environmental liability insurance because of a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling in favour of the Alberta Energy Regulator, a Toronto underwriter suggests. In Orphan Well Association v. Grant Thornton Ltd., the Supreme Court…
How this broker is binding Lloyd’s policies online
March 19, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA Calgary-based Lloyd’s coverholder has re-launched its website to make it easier for brokers to bind policies for special events without having to deal with a lot of paper forms. PAL Insurance Brokers Canada Ltd. has allowed clients to apply…
What 5G technology means for the insurance and collision repair industries
March 18, 2019 by Jason ContantThe promise of 5G technology was one of the top stories coming out of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. But what does that mean for the insurance and collision repair industries? A massive increase in connected devices that respond seemingly…
How the Big 5 banks insure their directors’ liability
March 18, 2019 by Greg MeckbachCanada’s five biggest banks are paying nearly $8 million a year collectively in premiums, for billions in directors’ and officers’ liability insurance with no deductibles, recent security filings show. The total coverage limit and the circumstances under which those policies…
Paid You’ve Filed Your Taxes. What Comes Next?
March 18, 2019 David Smagata, DASAt some point in their lives, most Canadians will be subject to a tax audit from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). While the process can be anxiety-inducing and stressful, having the right insurance policy can help you prepare for an…
How waiving this government fee could reduce auto premiums
March 15, 2019 by David GambrillIf the Ontario government wants to take one small step towards reducing auto insurance premiums for its drivers, it might consider dropping its administrative charges for drivers and their insurers to obtain three-year driving records, one industry professional suggests. “Assuming…
Broker fined for failing to review with his client a $1.4-million coverage change
March 14, 2019 by David GambrillA Manitoba broker is out of pocket $1,000 for failing to review with his client a $1.4-million change to a client’s commercial property insurance policy. On Dec. 12, 2011, an insurer requested renewal instructions from Manitoba broker Horace Smaczylo, as…
What this direct writer learned by starting up its own broker channel
March 14, 2019 by David GambrillWe’ve all heard about multi-channel insurance companies that sell through the broker channel while at the same time beefing up their direct channel. But how about CAA Insurance, a direct writer that has become a multi-channel writer by building up…