‘Bodily injury expected or intended’ exclusion applies to daycare seeking liability coverage
September 29, 2021 by Greg MeckbachLiability insurer Northbridge does not have to cover a Prince George, British Columbia daycare owner accused of shaking a child severely enough to cause brain injury, a judge ruled last week. A lawsuit, against the person operating the daycare, was…
When your commercial auto client smells a rat
September 2, 2021 by Greg MeckbachTall grass and vegetation are not good choices for areas to park or store construction equipment, trucks, recreational vehicles, campers, trailers or trucks. This is because rodents tend to like tall grass, Northbridge Insurance warns. “If buildings, vehicles, and equipment…
Engineering or maintenance? Why both CGL and professional liability could cover this lawsuit
September 1, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA British Columbia court has ruled in favour of Northbridge General Insurance Corporation in a dispute with XL Specialty Insurance Company over liability coverage arising from a strata power failure. Both insurers wrote policies for PCA Valence Engineering Technologies Ltd.,…
Updated: What emergency relief will insurers offer customers? Here’s what they told us
May 31, 2021 by Adam MalikEditor’s notes: This story has been updated to include additional information from Allstate. Insurance Bureau of Canada announced in 2020 that its members are offering reductions in auto insurance premiums for consumers whose driving habits have changed significantly. You can…
The diversity and inclusion statement that hit home for Intact’s management team
December 9, 2020 by Jason ContantIntact Financial Corporation was holding focus groups on diversity and inclusion a few months ago, when a young manager of colour shared her experience with the insurer’s senior management. “She gave an example to us, which struck most of the…
Who’s heading Fairfax’s effort to improve opportunities for the Black community
November 5, 2020 by Greg MeckbachCraig Pinnock, chief financial officer of Toronto-based Northbridge Insurance, is heading the Black Initiatives Action Committee for Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., Northbridge’s corporate parent. The Black Initiatives Action Committee has one representative of the Black community from each of the…
How much Northbridge could pay out in COVID claims
November 2, 2020 by Greg MeckbachLong-term care facilities accounted for a good chunk of the US$25.5 million in COVID-19 losses that Northbridge reported in the three months ending Sept. 30, officials with parent company Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. suggested this past Friday. Toronto-based Fairfax released…
What carriers told us: The latest on pandemic relief measures
October 21, 2020 by Adam MalikWith $1 billion in auto premium relief made available for Ontario drivers alone, drivers across Canada shouldn’t expect more premium relief coming from their carrier, at least in the near future. Canadian Underwriter reached out to a number of insurers…
How Northbridge is advising clients to prepare for second COVID-19 wave
September 18, 2020 by Greg MeckbachOne key component of preparing for the anticipated second wave of COVID-19 cases in Canada is for businesses to assess how they responded to the first wave of the disease, Northbridge Insurance is telling its commercial clients. “Many businesses that…
Why the hard market reminds Fairfax CEO of 2001
August 14, 2020 by Greg MeckbachSteep price increases that have hit brokers’ commercial clients will not continue for the long term, but the current hard market is reminiscent of the period after Sept. 11, 2001, when two planes destroyed the World Trade Centre in New…
Northbridge’s advice to restaurants upon re-opening
July 23, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAs restaurants in much of Ontario re-open July 24, a major commercial insurer is warning companies to train their staff carefully. “Servers should bring items such as glasses, cutlery, and single-serve condiments to the table only after the party is…
What can go wrong if ‘actual cash value’ is not clearly defined in a property policy
May 19, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAfter a 132-year-old Cape Breton Island building was heavily damaged by a sprinkler line failure, there was a huge disparity between the property owner and insurer’s versions of “actual cash value.” The claimant said $1.59 million, while the insurer said…