Paid Steering the Course: Course of Construction (COC) Insurance Options
August 28, 2018 Neil Jeanson, Senior Class Underwriter, XL CatlinAll it takes is a spark. From a sander. Or errant cigarette. And POW! Igniting common, flammable construction materials like wood, solvents, packaging, and gasoline and turning a work in progress to a pile of ash. It’s a powerful blow…
Could this new construction method hike insurance costs?
August 27, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA client occupying a tall wood building could face higher insurance costs, a group of masonry producers claims, while one fire insurer confirms such a building deserves closer scrutiny from an underwriter. Your insurance premiums would be higher as an…
B.C. wildfire season now second worst in province’s history
August 27, 2018 The Canadian PressVICTORIA – A year after the single worst season for wildfires in British Columbia’s history, government statistics indicate the 2018 wildfire season has already reached the second-worst mark, burning more than 9,450 square kilometres of land so far. That should…
The Hartford to acquire specialty insurer for $2.1 billion
August 22, 2018 by David GambrillThe Hartford has signed an agreement to acquire specialty insurer The Navigators Group Inc. for US$2.1 billion in cash. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is subject to approval by Navigators’ shareholders…
Few B.C. wildfire claims thus far, although situation remains fluid
August 20, 2018 by Jason ContantAlthough property damage as a result of the wildfires in British Columbia has been “light” so far this year, the industry must remain vigilant as this could change quickly, said Glenn McGillivray, managing director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss…
Why IBAO decided to move CAIB exams online
August 16, 2018 by Jason ContantThe Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) is anticipating “significant” time and cost savings as the exams for the Canadian Accredited Insurance Brokers (CAIB) program move to a “fully digital experience” in the province by December. “We’ll no longer be…
Ontario sees 1,000 forest fires so far this year, double last year’s total
August 16, 2018 Gabriele Roy - THE CANADIAN PRESSBRITT, Ont. – From a helicopter flying over a smouldering swath of northeastern Ontario, Garry Harland has a clear view of where the firefighters under his command are working to extinguish a massive blaze that’s become known as Parry Sound…
If your clients re-did their driving tests, would they pass?
August 15, 2018 by Jason ContantIf British Columbians had to take their driving test over again, it’s likely that about 40% of them would fail, according to recently released results from the more than 83,000 people that completed the province’s public auto insurer’s Drive Smart…
Rebuild contractor wins lawsuit vs. homeowner’s breach of contract
August 14, 2018 by Greg MeckbachAfter her home burnt down, a homeowner tried to get the proposed rebuild to fit the quotation of an insurer, contributing to a breakdown in the relationship between the homeowner and the contractor. The dispute led to a lawsuit to…
Should Canada reconsider how it finances wildfire suppression?
August 13, 2018 by Jason ContantAs hundreds of wildfires burn across British Columbia, one disaster mitigation expert is recommending that Canada reconsiders how it finances fire suppression costs. Last year, B.C. alone paid out more than $560 million in fire suppression costs, and it is…
Burning barge sends pall of smoke over Metro Vancouver
August 10, 2018 The Canadian PressSURREY, B.C. – A barge loaded with crushed vehicles is burning in the Fraser River off Surrey, B.C., sending up a towering plume of acrid smoke that is visible over much of Metro Vancouver. The blaze broke out Friday morning…
After a seven-year, $33K insurance settlement, claimant disputes his $5K legal bill
August 9, 2018 by David GambrillA seven-year lawsuit against a B.C. insurance brokerage that settled for $33,000 ultimately led to a legal dispute between the claimant and his lawyer over a $5,124 legal bill. The claimant, Larry Jones, sued his insurance brokerage, RHC Insurance Agency…