How province is responding to growing Alberta wildfire threat
May 17, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSEDMONTON – The Alberta government has imposed a fire ban and restrictions on off-highway vehicle use in the northern half of the province. The government says the decision was made due to the growing threat of wildfires. The areas affected…
What’s affecting B.C. wildfire risk this year
May 13, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSKAMLOOPS, B.C. – The BC Wildfire Service has come through its busiest period of the young 2019 wildfire season, responding to several blazes, including one that prompted an evacuation order west of Prince George. Weather has been unseasonably warm in…
What’s closed in Victoria after commercial fire
May 9, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSVICTORIA, B.C. – Days after flames tore through a vacant hotel in Victoria, one man is still missing and smoke lingers, forcing the closure of city hall and several other businesses. The fire in the former Victoria Plaza Hotel has…
How kitty litter can impact insured property losses
May 8, 2019 by Greg MeckbachWhile spring rains and thawing have caused overland flooding of Biblical proportions, drain backups are also the bane of some insurers’ existence. In multi-storey commercial and residential buildings, drain backups are the number one cause of damage, said Adam Bartman,…
At least 150 firefighters respond to Toronto school blaze
May 7, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – A large fire at a Toronto high school caused part of the building’s roof to collapse, forced area residents from their homes and sent large plumes of smoke over the neighbourhood, authorities said Tuesday as crews worked to…
‘It’s triage now’: Cottage Country brokers deal with flood fallout
May 6, 2019 by Adam MalikBrokers in Ontario’s Muskoka region are calling the recent flooding event the worst disaster they’ve ever seen. Both Stephen Darling, president at A.W. Shiers Insurance Brokers, and Adam Caswell, owner of Hutcheson Reynolds & Caswell, said damage is greater and…
Should insurers offer incentive for remote water shut-off?
May 6, 2019 by Greg MeckbachIf your client owns a multi-storey commercial or residential building and installs a system that lets them shut water off immediately if necessary, how easy is it to get a break on insurance? “To the best of our knowledge there…
How brokers personally assist during floods
May 2, 2019 by Jason ContantThe flooding last year in Grand Forks, B.C. was a prime example of how an insurance broker provides more than just policy advice and advocacy when disaster strikes. A broker could provide money upfront for additional living expenses, emotional support…
One in 1,000-year flood happening in Quebec
April 26, 2019 Giuseppe Valiante and Stephane Blais - THE CANADIAN PRESSMONTREAL – Quebec public security officials called for the immediate evacuation of an area along the Rouge River west of Montreal on Thursday because of the risk a hydro dam could fail. Simon Racicot, director of production and maintenance with…
Why this 1997 home fire claim is still active in the courts
April 24, 2019 by Greg MeckbachAn art appraiser who gave evidence in 2007 at a coverage dispute lawsuit against Chubb Insurance Company of Canada is now suing his former client. Bridgette Sagl’s home in Mississauga, Ont. burned down Dec. 16, 1997. Chubb denied her claim,…
Out of control Saskatchewan wildfire triggers state of emergency, evacuation
April 23, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSBIGGAR, Sask. – Saskatchewan’s fire commissioner is urging people across the province not to have open fires as a wildfire around the town of Biggar sparked a state of emergency and some evacuations. Duane McKay says crews are assessing what…
BMW adds nearly 185,000 vehicles to recall over fire risk
April 18, 2019 Tom Krisher - THE ASSOCIATED PRESSDETROIT – BMW is adding nearly 185,000 vehicles in the U.S. to a 2017 recall for possible engine fires. Two years ago the company recommended that the vehicles be parked outdoors until problems are fixed. The recall expansion covers a…