Crawford’s Top 3 claim loss predictions from marijuana legalization
October 18, 2018 by Jason ContantClaims adjuster Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. sees auto, commercial and workplace-related losses as the Top 3 claims arising from the legalization of marijuana. Auto losses related to cannabis usage; commercial losses to cannabis producers, retailers and distributors; and employee…
How brokers should prepare for Canada Post strike
October 17, 2018 by Greg MeckbachBrokers need to prepare scripts in case their staff get a flood of phone calls from clients asking how they plan to work without mail service, the Centre for Study of Insurance Operations advises. “Mail service may be interrupted indefinitely,”…
This province to see stiffer penalties for distracted driving
October 17, 2018 The Canadian PressWINNIPEG – Manitoba drivers who use a hand-held cellphone behind the wheel will face stiffer penalties as of Nov. 1. Fines will jump to $672 from $203, and the number of demerit points will increase to five from two. Drivers…
How insurers respond to proposed ban on territorial ratings
October 16, 2018 by Greg MeckbachCalls this week for a ban on territorial ratings in auto insurance, by politicians from across the political spectrum, shows that Ontario needs to change its rate filing system, an Insurance Bureau of Canada spokesperson said. Bill 42, the Ending…
Coroner pushes to bring ignition lock rules for repeat drunk drivers
October 16, 2018 The Canadian PressMONTREAL – A Quebec coroner is recommending the province move quickly to implement a rule that would force repeat drunk drivers to have their vehicles fitted with ignition locks for at least a decade. Andree Kronstrom is urging the province’s…
How Canada Post disruption could help the insurance industry
October 11, 2018 by Greg MeckbachThe threat of a work stoppage at Canada Post may lead to a positive outcome in a back-handed way, by potentially raising awareness among regulators and consumers about the value of electronic documents, an Insurance Bureau of Canada official suggests.…
How Millenials are helping stop distracted driving
October 7, 2018 by Jason ContantMillenials – the ever-connected, technologically savvy age group – are actually most likely to ask a driver to stop using their mobile device if they are a passenger, a new Travelers Canada survey has found. Distracted driving has been cited…
A ‘lessee’ is not necessarily the person who paid for the rented vehicle
October 2, 2018 by David GambrillA “lessee” under Ontario’s Insurance Act is the person whom the rental company would sue to enforce the rental contract, a court reaffirmed Monday. In Aviva v. Wawanesa, the Ontario Superior Court decided a recent priority dispute between insurers. The…
How driverless vehicles may make crash injuries worse
October 1, 2018 by Jason ContantThe severity of some accidents may increase as vehicles become driverless, in part because driver orientation will change, a crash reconstructionist told Canadian Underwriter in an interview last week. Currently, drivers are sitting in their seats, properly belted with their…
This province’s licence suspension system is ‘fundamentally flawed’
September 28, 2018 Peter Cameron - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – Ontario’s ombudsman says the system for notifying drivers that their licence has been suspended is “fundamentally flawed” leaving many people unwittingly driving with invalid licences. In a report released on Thursday, Paul Dube makes 42 recommendations designed to…
Some Canadian police forces question roadside marijuana testing devices
September 26, 2018 Laura Kane - THE CANADIAN PRESSVANCOUVER – Some Canadian police forces are hesitant to use a federally approved roadside test for marijuana impairment, raising questions about the Liberal government’s decision to give the devices the green light. Vancouver’s police department is among those that won’t…
Cannabis legalization raises questions on host liability
September 5, 2018 by Greg MeckbachThe legalization of marijuana next month leaves some key questions for commercial clients who serve alcohol. “What if an individual comes in already smelling of marijuana and the bartender is unsure what their level of impairment is?” asked Mouna Hanna, …