Did settling soil or sudden water leak cause this home damage?
September 8, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA disputed home insurance claim could go to trial because the carrier has accessed 22-year-old court records from the claimant’s divorce. In September, 2009, Douglas Cotter noticed the patio along the front of his Penticton, British Columbia home had shifted.…
How legal defence costs can be ‘gobsmacking large,’ even when you win the case
August 22, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA recent decision by an Ontario judge shows how much a corporate client might have pay to defend itself from a lawsuit – even one that gets thrown out of court. Three beer manufacturers, Molson, Labatt and Sleeman, spent a…
Regulator allows adjuster to co-own a moving company that sells to insurers
August 9, 2018 by David GambrillIn a clear conflict of interest case, the Insurance Council of B.C. has allowed an insurance adjuster who co-owns an adjusting firm with his wife to double as a minority owner in a moving and storage company that sells its…
Why Canada is said to be ahead of U.S. on real-time data exchange
August 2, 2018 by Jason ContantWhen it comes to real-time data exchange, the insurance industry in Canada seems to be more on the right path than south of the border, said the CEO and co-founder of an insurtech in the United States that recently incorporated…
The danger of lying about gender for cheaper auto insurance
August 1, 2018 by Greg MeckbachIf a young male motorist is thinking of telling his insurer he is female for the sole purpose of getting a lower rate, there is some simple advice a broker can give: Don’t do it. This is because a motorist’s…
Why carriers should share with their competitors
August 1, 2018 by Greg MeckbachInsurance carriers selling through brokers should share, with competitors, some of the software they make to exchange data with brokers’ computer systems, speakers suggested Wednesday at the Data Exchange (D/X) launch. “We need to communicate more quickly and efficiently with…
Car wash operator found not liable for $1,800 claim caused after malfunction
July 31, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA British Columbia motorist who made an $1,800 vehicle damage insurance claim arising from an ill-fated trip to an automated car wash cannot get reimbursed by the car wash operator. This was the finding of a recent decision from the…
Supreme Court to determine fate of Lloyd’s payment in $5.6-million shipping loss
July 19, 2018 by Greg MeckbachThe Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear a dispute that will determine whether a Lloyd’s insurer may recover some of the claim money it paid out arising from a $5.6-million cargo ship loss on the St. Lawrence River.…
The evolving nature of business interruption
July 6, 2018 Aleksandra ZivanovicIn the face of climate change, cyber risks, and mass terror plots affecting entire regions and sometimes economic sectors, business interruption coverage is a challenging coverage to both write and adjust. This challenge is multi-faceted and directly impacted by global…
Contractors know their role: Restoration contracting firms speak out
July 3, 2018 by Jason ContantControversy has swirled around the property and casualty industry’s response to Ontario’s May 4 windstorm, with restoration contracting firms speaking out to Canadian Underwriter recently to confirm the proper role of contractors during the catastrophe event. Restoration contracting firms made…
What happens when your mechanic gives you insurance advice
June 29, 2018 by David GambrillAfter following up on their mechanic’s suggestion to file a retroactive insurance claim, a B.C. couple is now on the hook for an $800.75 repair job to their 2010 Toyota Prius. Blenda and Raymond Pilon made an auto insurance claim…
Why mutuals partner with independent adjusters
June 15, 2018 by Jason ContantSmall insurers or mutuals may decide to partner with independent adjusting (IA) firms as a way of providing them with flexibility on costs and full-time staff. On May 30, Contractor Connection, a service line of IA firm Crawford & Company…