Defence begins closing arguments at Lac-Mégantic criminal negligence trial
January 4, 2018 The Canadian PressSHERBROOKE, Que. – The lawyer for one of three men charged with criminal negligence in the Lac-Megantic rail disaster that killed 47 people began his closing arguments today. Gaetan Bourassa says the trial is for his client, Jean Demaitre, and…
Why Canadian insurers should feel lucky after 2017
January 3, 2018 by Greg MeckbachAfter a year of massive North Atlantic hurricane losses, Canadian P&C insurers may have dodged a bullet with this year’s renewal season. Reinsurers licensed in Canada “were the main beneficiaries of the relatively quiet Canadian CAT year,” wrote Joel Baker,…
Blame auto losses for lackluster 2017 P&C results
January 2, 2018 by Greg MeckbachDespite a “relatively benign” year in Canada for catastrophes in 2017, the industry-wide combined ratio in Canada was still fairly high at 96.8% during the first nine months of last year, with auto results partly to blame, MSA Research reported…
2018 Outlook: Sean Murphy, President, Lloyd’s Canada
January 2, 2018 Sean MurphyMost people in the industry anticipate a hardening of the market in 2018, the aftermath of an historic year of natural catastrophes. Some of the first signs of rising rates in the Canadian P&C industry are already starting to emerge.…
2018 Outlook: Ulrich Kadow, Chief Agent of Canada, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Americas
December 29, 2017 Ulrich KadowAcross all markets, including Canada, pricing levels are generally at historic lows, which in many cases are well below technical pricing recommendations. Globally, recent natural catastrophes have highlighted the increasing frequency and potential severity of major events, potentially leading to…
P&C People: Who’s doing what
December 21, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterNew CEO for Manitoba Public Insurance The Government of Manitoba has announced that Benjamin Graham will become the new president and CEO of Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), effective Feb. 1, 2018. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister made the announcement in a…
Economic losses top US$300 billion in 2017
December 20, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterInsured losses from natural catastrophes in 2017, at more than US$130 billion, were more than double the average of the previous 10 years, and more than US$90 billion in losses is probably from three hurricanes alone, Swiss Re said Wednesday.…
‘Resilient, but tired:’ Mental effects of wildfire lingering in Fort McMurray
December 18, 2017 The Canadian PressFORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – Firefighter Mark Stephenson says he can’t drive through Fort McMurray without being brought back to May 2016. That’s when, in the thick of battling a ferocious wildfire that destroyed 10 per cent of the northern Alberta…
Climate change and its effect on insurance claims
December 15, 2017 Neville BussellThe wildfire insurance losses incurred in Fort McMurray, Alberta in 2016 are the costliest in Canadian history. The fire involved residential property, businesses, municipal property and landscape over an area of 590,000 hectares. The Insurance Bureau of Canada Costs estimated…
Lessons for Canadians from California wildfires
December 13, 2017 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorRecent record wildfire losses in California serve as a reminder to Canadians that certain buildings separated from the woods can still burn down, a Canadian disaster prevention research executive suggests. Losses from the California wildfires, in excess of $10 billion,…
‘Weak safety culture’ led to sinking of cargo vessel
December 13, 2017 Jason Dearen - THE ASSOCIATED PRESSA “weak safety culture” was partly to blame for the fatal sinking of the 790-foot cargo vessel El Faro, the United States National Transportation Safety Board announced Tuesday. Safety management systems are also a major issue in Canada’s maritime sector,…
Planning for a public emergency? Don’t follow Ontario’s example
December 6, 2017 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorOntario’s emergency planning for risks such as severe weather, terrorism and cyber-attacks is in dire need of an update, the province’s auditor general concluded in a report released Wednesday. The province’s severe weather plan has not been updated in 12…