B.C. Court of Appeal clarifies when insurer has duty to defend
March 27, 2007 by Canadian UnderwriterReporting an event or “circumstance that might lead to a professional liability insurance claim is not, in the absence of a claim, enough to trigger an insurer’s obligation to defend, the B.C. Appeal Court has ruled.In MWH International, Inc. v.…
Hazard Perceptions and Urban Flooding
March 1, 2007 Dan Sandink, Research Coordinator, Institute for Catastrophic Loss ReductionPublic education can help snap flooding victims out of fatalistic attitudes
Customer Management Software for Claims
February 1, 2007 Linda PaccanaroHow off-the-shelf customer management software can radically change your claims process
ICBC, Fraser Institute lock horns over public auto insurance
October 11, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterICBC has taken to the airwaves to dismiss a Fraser Institute report that slams government-run auto insurance schemes as, according to the study’s author, “among the worst performers within almost all measures of market quality, including cost and affordability.”In an…
Smoke and Mirrors
September 1, 2006 Craig HarrisThe Supreme Court of Canada instituted a “material change” in fire insurance policy conditions
What’s New: In brief (June 26, 2006)
June 26, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterThe “world’s largest passenger aircraft” is set to be introduced into the commercial aviation space despite A series of delays have altered the production and delivery schedule of the “world’s largest passenger aircraft” into the commercial aviation market, according to…
The Co-Operators offers Claims Guarantee
June 16, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Co-operators Group Ltd. recently launched a Claims Guarantee that is meant to address Canadian consumer uncertainty in the insurance company.“Some people hesitate before making an insurance claim or even asking questions about their coverage,” Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO,…
Quality in Repair
June 1, 2006 Keith Burns, Manager, Performance Programs, PPG Canada Inc.Pioneering collision repair facilities are incorporating quality management concepts into their day-to-day operations.
Canada’s Top Ten Insurance Crimes, 2005
December 20, 2005 by Canadian UnderwriterCanada’s home, car and business insurers recently released their annual Top Ten Insurance Crimes list, which includes: too many encores; pirate shipping; fender bender fraud; the chop shop king; field of schemes; phantom injuries; too good to be true; persistence…
Technology: Riding The Claims Curve
June 1, 2005 Craig HarrisOnce spinning their wheels with standalone technology products, many insurance companies are now actively pursuing integrated, end-to-end solutions that allow for full management of the claim lifecycle. Modern technology, coupled with a tight focus on business processes and employee training, is giving insurers a chance to accelerate the speed of claims handling and ramp up service standards. The question today, however, is who is staying ahead of the claims curve?
Claims Convergence: A New Model for Healthcare
January 1, 2005 Sam MalatestaFirst things first – fixing cars is nothing like fixing people! However, there may be some similarities between the collision side of the auto claims economy and the healthcare side. Just as insurers and their auto bodyshop partners strive to provide quality repairs in a more efficient and effective manner, the stakeholders on the healthcare side need to begin to focus on their common goal – fixing people better and faster.
Battle over DAC elimination continues
December 9, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterDesignated assessment center (DAC) representatives and trial lawyers continue to wage a war of words over the elimination of DACs as proposed by the Ontario Liberal government.Thursday, the Association of DACs (ADAC) penned an open letter urging Premier Dalton McGuinty…