How better boards may improve cannabis companies’ D&O options
January 6, 2023 Philip PoradoImprovements in capacity in the directors and officers (D&O) insurance space, combined with a rising quality of boards of directors membership, is making coverage for cannabis producers and distributors more accessible. “We’ve seen a real shift in the experience levels…
The real reasons behind Canada’s softer D&O market
December 9, 2022 Philip Porado“Expanded insurer appetite and competition in the primary space,” as well as new capacity in excess layers, helps explain a softening of Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance pricing and limits expansions in Canada, says a recent quarterly market insights report…
Why cannabis companies are seeing lower D&O rates
February 22, 2022 Jason ContantPricing for cannabis-related directors and officers (D&O) insurance is trending downward, but only relative to the rest of the market, said an insurance brokerage executive. “When cannabis was first legalized in Canada, you had a handful of carriers that [offered]…
Challenging market conditions remain for these two lines in Canada
February 10, 2022 by Jason ContantMarket conditions for cyber and directors’ and officers’ (D&O) lines of business remain challenging in Canada, according to Aon plc’s latest quarterly Global Market Insights Report. Aon’s report for the fourth quarter of 2021, released Wednesday, emphasizes how new forms…
Fast pace of private equity investments means more insurance placements for portfolio companies
December 14, 2021 Jason ContantSpeed can equal success when a private equity firm is looking to acquire a company. But the rush to close a deal can also mean insurance gets put on the back burner. A private equity firm often buys a controlling…
Institutional investors increasingly likely to divest on ESG grounds
December 6, 2021 Canadian Underwriter StaffLike insurers, Canada’s institutional investors are examining how environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors weigh into their operational decisions. A new EY report on global institutional investors that includes Canada showed 74% are more likely to divest from companies with…
Stability, finally? What insurers and brokers can look forward to in 2022
November 12, 2021 Brooke SmithBrokers and insurers may see some stabilization in the market in 2022. “We saw tremendous rate pressure, high operating ratios, and low ROIs in 2019 and 2020,” said Kevin Neiles, president, Western Canada and chief markets officer at Gallagher, during…
Ignoring ESG means ‘significant’ D&O risk to insurers and business: AGCS
October 19, 2021 Canadian Underwriter StaffBusinesses and insurers ignore environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues at their peril, an Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) report released this month suggests. “If an ESG issue is not handled or disclosed appropriately by the company or board,…
Two emerging trends in D&O liability
March 2, 2021 by Jason ContantCyber claims morphing into directors’ and officers’ liability and the increased sophistication of the plaintiff bar in Canada are two emerging trends in D&O lines, HDI Global Specialty SE – Canada told Canadian Underwriter recently. Oren Schemool, head of financial…
Financially, which of your clients are hurting the most?
August 7, 2020 by David GambrillCanadian construction and real estate development companies appear to be hurting the most during the pandemic, according to bankruptcy records kept by the federal government. Twenty-seven Canadian companies have been granted creditor protection since the novel coronavirus was declared a…
How D&O claims could arise from COVID-19
March 17, 2020 by Greg MeckbachIf your clients are accused of failing to warn shareholders of the impact of COVID-19, their directors and officers could have liability exposure, experts from Marsh suggest. Generally speaking, directors and officers tend to have the same liability exposure as…