What these brokerages bring to the table in Hub merger
January 15, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA Quebec brokerage recently acquired by Hub International Ltd. brings expertise in construction and auto dealerships to the table. “Hub is already major player, if not one of the biggest brokers in Quebec,” Alain Giroux, executive vice president of Montreal…
One way to bullet-proof your waiver clause: Tribunal
January 14, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe use of bold lettering and capitalization in a waiver clause helped a storage locker firm defend itself from a claim from a customer. Four storage units were broken into on Aug. 12, 2016. One of those units was rented…
How boating accident sparked dispute between insurers
January 11, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA court decision released this past Wednesday clarifies what should happen if your client is sued and covered by more than one insurance company. Melissa Shawbonquit filed a lawsuit after she was injured in a boating accident in July 2016.…
How waivers of liability could be harder to enforce
January 10, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe Supreme Court of Canada could make a landmark decision on whether clients facing personal injury lawsuits can enforce waivers in court. In Schnarr v. Blue Mountain Resorts Limited, the Court of Appeal for Ontario ruled in early 2018 that for…
New, revised CAIB expected by fall
January 10, 2019 by Jason ContantThe Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) is hoping to be able to present a new, revised Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) program to the broker community by this fall. The new content will address 10 broad broker competency areas…
Beginner’s guide to insuring pot
January 9, 2019 by Jason ContantAfter nearly three months of recreational marijuana being legal in Canada, insurers are still trying to wrap their heads around a sector with no track record and lots of uncertainty. For specialist insurer CFC Underwriting, there is still some caution…
McDougall merges with Barrie, Ontario brokerage
January 9, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMcDougall Insurance Brokers of Belleville, Ont. announced Tuesday it has merged with Barrie-based Dusome Insurance Brokers. The combined firm has 34 offices, including Kingston, Peterborough, Deep River, Pembroke, Orillia, Trenton, Cornwall and Oshawa. Dusome’s 11 employees will join McDougall as…
Paid Recreational Cannabis Legalization: Are your HR policies ready?
January 9, 2019 David Smagata, DASDid you know, medical cannabis has been legal in Canada since 1999? Since then there have been numerous amendments to the laws, as well as a significant increase in Canadians who have purchased medical cannabis. According to Health Canada…
Why Canadian insurers are reticent to enter the cannabis space
January 8, 2019 by Jason ContantWith signs of a hard insurance market in Canada, it appears that a lot of insurers are still reticent about entering the cannabis space. “When an insurance cycle goes a little bit harder, when insurers are trying to put their…
Lloyd’s disputes claim over diamond-studded statue
January 8, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSVANCOUVER – A major insurance company is fighting back after a British Columbia court required it to make good on a policy covering a gold, diamond-encrusted eagle statue allegedly stolen in Metro Vancouver more than two years ago. The B.C.…
Jones Brown acquired by large international brokerage
January 8, 2019 by Greg MeckbachCanadian brokerage Jones Brown Inc. has been acquired by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Itasca, Ill.-based Gallagher announced Tuesday. Jones Brown, which places both commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, has offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Hamilton. “The…
In defence of public insurance
January 7, 2019 by Jason ContantBritish Columbia’s public auto insurer is challenging the view that opening up the market to competition will create efficiencies and better accident benefits. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) was responding to comments from the Canadian Federation of Independent…