‘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…
Hub acquires full-service Saskatchewan brokerage
May 6, 2019 by Jason ContantGlobal insurance brokerage Hub International announced Monday it has acquired the assets of Saskatchewan brokerage Kelliher Agencies. Headquartered in Kelliher, Sask., the brokerage is a full-service, independent insurance brokerage that provides personal, commercial, farm and specialty products insurance. “Its focus…
What auto insurance brokers should keep in mind if cash settlements are banned
May 3, 2019 by Greg MeckbachBrokers need to understand both the upside and downside to a “care not cash” clause in an accident benefits policy so clients can choose an option that fits their needs, says an Ontario auto insurance expert. The Ontario government is…
Intact’s BrokerLink makes double acquisition
May 3, 2019 by Jason ContantBrokerLink has announced the acquisition of two brokerages: the Athabasca, Alta. branch of JDR Insurance and Guelph, Ont.-based Amplex Insurance Brokers Ltd. Both transactions were effective May 1 and terms of the transactions were not disclosed, BrokerLink said in a…
Is Ontario about to see electronic pink slips?
May 3, 2019 by Jason ContantIs electronic proof of auto insurance (EPAI) just around the corner in Ontario? Industry scuttlebutt is that the new Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) will allow the use of EPAI this summer, possibly as early as June. Canadian…
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…
2018 ‘not a good year’ for Canadian P&C insurers: IBC
May 2, 2019 by Greg MeckbachWeak investment results and problems with auto insurance in most provinces were among the factors leading to a bad year for insurers in 2018, Insurance Bureau of Canada’s chairman suggests. “Last year was not a good year for the property…
Why this claimant cannot sue over auto collision
May 2, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA motorist should have known he was listed by his insurer as an excluded driver, an Ontario court has ruled. Johnathon Trudeau filed a lawsuit against David Cavanagh as a result of a 2013 vehicle collision in Espanola. Trudeau also…
How smart speakers could ruin your reputation
May 2, 2019 by Jason ContantConnecting consumers with brokers and insurers through voice technology has already begun, but a new blog from Harvard Business Review is warning companies that their reputation could be at risk. The blog was written for general business audiences, but included…
Why it’s hard for insurers to price cyber risk
May 1, 2019 by Greg MeckbachIt’s hard for an insurance company to price cyber because clients are reluctant to report losses, industry experts suggest. “You need historical incidents to understand the types of events out there,” Scott Stransky, assistant vice president and principal scientist in…
How Quebec floods are challenging adjusters
May 1, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMany homes flooded in Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Que. will be total losses and may not have overland flood coverage, a vice president for an independent adjusting firm suggests. Claims adjusting firm ClaimsPro is involved in about 2,000 flood claims from April in…