This aging infrastructure problem could force residents out of homes
April 18, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA substantial number of Ontario residents are at risk of becoming temporarily homeless because they live in old high-rise buildings with critical infrastructure that needs to be replaced, a politician told Canadian Underwriter Wednesday. “Across Toronto and across Ontario we…
Fatal fire damages Abbotsford, B.C. apartment building
March 7, 2019 by Greg MeckbachABBOTSFORD, B.C. – The BC Coroners Service confirms one person has died in an apartment fire in Abbotsford. Coroners service spokesman Andy Watson says a woman in her 60s died in the blaze that broke out about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.…
A novel way to produce receipts unravels a bogus $25,000 jewelry claim
March 15, 2018 by David GambrillProcessing a property theft claim? Check your claimant’s receipts carefully. Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) announced Thursday that it busted a $25,000 insurance scam last year for stolen jewelry by uncovering a handy-dandy – if illegal — online fake receipt generator.…
Insurance implications of marijuana legalization
March 2, 2018 Jennifer Huneault and Jason ArcuriWith legalization of recreational marijuana use slated to take effect in Canada on July 1, 2018, challenge and change is on the horizon. But with change also comes great opportunity, not only for businesses and industries directly involved in the…
Adjuster solves mystery of fire in the firehall
February 5, 2018 by Jason ContantFire claims investigations can certainly highlight life’s ironies. Consider the case of the firefighters who were called out to a blaze one day at about 3 p.m., only to return to the station and find a fire blazing in their…
B.C. wildfires cause more than $127 million in insured damage: CatIQ
September 27, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe “two most significant wildfires in British Columbia this summer” caused more than $127 million in insured damage, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) said, quoting Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ). The wildfires around Williams Lake caused close to…
IBC encouraging policyholders to discuss policy limits with insurers as B.C. wildfires continue
July 10, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterAs British Columbia has declared a state of emergency due to wildfires burning out of control throughout much of the Interior, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is encouraging policyholders to discuss policy limits with their insurer. Most home and…
How legalizing pot will affect your insurance policies
June 5, 2017 Jason Contant, Online EditorThe impending legalization of marijuana in Canada raises a number of legal issues related to property insurance policies, Michael Teitelbaum, a partner with Hughes Amys LLP, said last week at ARC Group Canada’s 2017 annual seminar and cocktail event. In…
Exclusion clause for ‘conversion’ in comprehensive auto policy ‘does not come close’ to being easily intelligible: Court
April 24, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterAn exclusion in an auto insurance policy for loss or damage caused by “conversion,” by someone in lawful possession of a vehicle does not apply to a truck tractor badly damaged by fire, a Supreme Court of British Columbia judge…
Warm summer means increased risk of forest fires, meteorologists say
April 17, 2017 The Canadian PressNearly a year after the massive wildfire that devastated Fort McMurray, Alta., a climate scientist says there may be more forest fires in Canada this summer. “If the forecast’s right that it’s a warmer than normal summer, we’ll probably have…
The Straight Dope
December 8, 2016 Emily Atkins, EditorReefer, dope, Mary-Jane, weed, ganga, bud, airplane, Aunt Mary, doob, grass, herb, skunkweed, wacky tabaccy, Miley Cyrus…
B.C. premier says climate change is sparking need for national forest fire plan
May 19, 2016 Bruce Cheadle - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – Climate change is leading to more wildfires and the country needs a national forest firefighting strategy, says B.C. Premier Christy Clark. While the country has been transfixed by the raging fires around Fort McMurray in northern Alberta, British…