Must-have for insurers to underwrite overland flood
September 26, 2018 by Greg MeckbachArtificial intelligence and data analytics is one reason some Canadian insurers are underwriting residential flood coverage, speakers said Tuesday during an industry conference. “Here is an opportunity that we took to really look at the massive data sets we worked…
Claims whack-a-mole: what’s going on in property lines?
September 25, 2018 by David GambrillAs if mounting auto insurance losses aren’t enough, the industry now has a new emerging issue to worry about this year – an alarming spike in home and commercial property claims. Catastrophe losses and fire are among the chief culprits…
What made the Dunrobin tornado so unique
September 24, 2018 by Jason ContantOne tornado that struck the Dunrobin, Ont. area Friday was only the second EF3 twister to touch down in the province in September or later – and the first during this time period in 120 years, said Glenn McGillivray, managing…
How basement flooding devalued this property
September 17, 2018 by Greg MeckbachRecurring basement flooding means a homeowner’s property is worth about $35,000 less than it would otherwise be valued at for tax purposes, says an official from the board that hears Ontario property tax appeals. Sharon Latta owns a home near…
This storm preparation tip is a myth
September 12, 2018 by Greg MeckbachAs Newfoundland gets hit by the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon and Hurricane Florence threatens the Carolinas, brokers can make a difference in advising homeowners what not to do as nasty weather approaches. “In Canada, there are not many hurricane-type…
The home insurance exclusion your clients probably don’t know about
September 10, 2018 by Greg MeckbachKnowing what their property insurance actually covers is a “big missing link” in teaching homeowners how to manage flood risk. “Most people have no idea that you can’t get seepage coverage in most cases,” Cheryl Evans, director of the home…
Top 3 measures to mitigate home flood risk
September 7, 2018 by Greg MeckbachYour book of business could have lower water losses if you give homeowner clients just three pieces of advice. First, homeowners should figure out whether their home actually has a backwater valve, said Cheryl Evans, director of the home flood…
The ‘touchy topic’ in Canadian home insurance
September 6, 2018 by Greg MeckbachLack of flood coverage in high-risk areas raises the controversial question of whether owners of high-risk properties should have their insurance premiums subsidized. Overland flood coverage was generally unavailable on home insurance policies in Canada until 2015. Now dozens of…
Court urges discovery plans that avoid “historical murder mystery approach to litigation”
August 30, 2018 by David GambrillA flooded business and their insurers have been ordered by a court to “go back to the drawing board” and come up with a discovery plan, having “fallen short of the collaborative process,” a case master for the Ontario Superior…
Are consumers warming to telematics?
August 28, 2018 by Jason ContantA new survey for belairdirect has found more than half (53%) of polled Canadians would use an app that tracks their driving habits if it meant having a more personalized auto insurance rating. The finding contrasts recent industry comments and…
The exclusion that no longer applies to this home insurance coverage
August 28, 2018 by Greg MeckbachFifteen years after Nova Scotia was hit by Hurricane Juan, a Canadian home insurer is offering storm surge coverage in all four Atlantic Canada provinces. Storm surge is a rise in sea level resulting from atmospheric pressure changes and wind…
Toronto’s density, old sewer system lead to flooding, observers say
August 22, 2018 Gabriele Roy - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – Steady rain and thunderstorm warnings in Toronto on Tuesday had residents bracing for waterlogged streets and transit delays for the third time in as many weeks, with the city saying it was prepared to respond quickly to urgent…