Views (September 01, 2004)
September 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterThe friends of Mike Yang are staging two events to raise funds for this industry veteran, who is recovering from a serious illness experienced last fall. Funds are needed to help Mike and his family modify their home and vehicle…
Risk Managers – Desperately Seeking Stability
September 1, 2004 Vikki SpencerThe insurance market set risk managers on a roller coaster ride since the beginning of the millennium. A long and deep soft market was cut dramatically short by the events of 9/11, sending insurance prices skyward and leaving commercial buyers reeling. Not even three years later, successive quarterly surveys show clear signs of market softening, causing risk managers to wonder if the cyclical ride of the insurance market will ever end.
What’s new: In brief (August 25, 2004)
August 25, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterThe crash of two Russian airliners which left 89 dead late Tuesday is under investigation, with some speculating the cause is terrorism, but Russian officials saying there is no evidence of terrorism at this point. The outcome of this investigation…
Alternative Attractions
August 1, 2004 Brian ReeveThe current hard market for commercial liability and property insurance coverages has made the use of alternative risk management structures attractive again. The liability crisis of the mid-1980s resulted in the formation of a number of offshore captive insurance companies. The current market conditions are likely to result in a new interest in forming captive insurance companies as well as other types of alternative risk management.
Silica Liability: Ready to Explode
August 1, 2004 Vikki SpencerStill reeling from the onslaught of asbestos lawsuits clogging up U.S. courts, insurers worldwide must be shaking their heads to learn of a new threat coming down the pipe – silica liability. While crystalline silica has been a known industrial hazard since the early 1900s, 2003 saw a wave of new lawsuits fueled by the same trial lawyers filing asbestos claims. As the number of silica deaths drops each year, why is the industry just now feeling the tremors of mass silica litigation?
What’s new: In brief (July 18, 2004)
July 18, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is urging homeowners affected by the Peterborough, Ontario floods to check their insurance coverage with their insurer or representative as soon as possible to see if they are covered for sewer back-up. While flooding…
Update: Edmonton storms could prove costly
July 15, 2004 by Canadian Underwriter(Note change in last two paragraphs.)While claims figures are not yet available for flooding and hail damage in the Edmonton area this past weekend, the storms are likely to prove costly for insurers, says Jim Rivait, vice president of the…
Actuaries say industry not ready to assume terrorism risk
July 14, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterWith the future of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) currently being debated by U.S. legislators, the American Academy of Actuaries (AAA) says the insurance industry will not be prepared to assume the risk if TRIA is not renewed beyond…
IBC urges B.C. homeowners to check coverage as fire threat looms
July 8, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is calling on homeowners in B.C. to confirm their insurance coverage as the risk of forest fires intensifies. Insurers paid out more than $200 million in fire-related claims last year when uncontrollable forest fires…
New Canadian earthquake zones devised: ICLR
July 7, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterA recently released study published by the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) has devised new earthquake zones on which insurers can base coverage rating. The hazard zones, the result of analysis by ICLR’s executive director Paul Kovacs and research…
Restaurants concerned with insurance implications of BYOW
June 10, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterWith the introduction in the Ontario legislature of a bill to allow restaurant patrons to “bring your own wine” (BYOW), restaurant owners are expressing concern the legislation will have negative insurance implications. Specifically, the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association…
What’s new: In brief (June 01, 2004)
June 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterRating errors could cost U.S. auto insurers as much as US$13 billion annually, says a report from QPC. In fact, in an audit of 12 million policies from 10 insurers over the past two years, QPC estimates the rating error…