Has Intact noticed the impact of pot legalization on auto claims?
February 6, 2019 by Greg MeckbachRecreational cannabis has been legal for nearly four months, but it’s too early for Canada’s largest property and casualty insurer to tell whether it’s having an impact on auto claims frequency. Senior managers with Intact Financial Corp. were asked Wednesday…
The “perfect storm” conditions for commercial rate increases
February 4, 2019 by Jason ContantThe past few years have created a perfect storm leading to an increase in commercial insurance rates, Signature Risk Partners Inc. says in a white paper released last week, entitled Hard Commercial Insurance Market on the Way. One factor is…
What commercial brokers are saying about the worrisome market turn
February 4, 2019 by David GambrillWhether the industry faces a hard market or simply a “market correction,” commercial lines premiums are definitely on the rise, Canadian commercial brokers reported in an online poll by Canadian Underwriter. And they are starting to get concerned about it.…
MSA Research hires former Guarantee VP as COO
February 1, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMarilyn Horrick, a former executive with The Guarantee Company of North America, is now executive vice president and chief operating officer of MSA Research Inc. The appointment took effect Friday. Toronto-based MSA’s reports include financial information on most of Canada’s…
Why the cyber market has become so crowded
January 31, 2019 by Greg MeckbachClients shopping for cyber insurance today can choose from among far more carriers than they could a few years ago, because it’s such a profitable line of business. However, one reason cyber is more profitable than other lines of coverage…
This major airport setup poses serious crash risk: TSB
January 31, 2019 Colin Perkel - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO _ A poorly laid out runway complex and pilots distracted by required tasks have led to potentially catastrophic situations at Canada’s busiest airport, federal safety authorities said on Thursday. The finding comes from an investigation into 27 runway incursions…
Online basement flood course coming soon
January 30, 2019 by Greg MeckbachAn online version of the Home Flood Risk Assessment Training will be available Canada-wide this March, Blair Feltmate, head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, said in a recent interview. The course is geared towards insurance brokers, home inspectors,…
Don’t give up on commercial waivers
January 29, 2019 by Jason ContantProperly constructed and worded waivers will be upheld in court, with one commercial and insurance lawyer strongly recommending their continued use. “There are policies and procedures and ways to draft agreements where I promise you the waivers will be upheld,”…
What adjusters can learn from technology disruptors
January 29, 2019 by Greg MeckbachAdjusters who want to improve service for claimants could take a few pointers from companies outside the insurance industry. “When I look at customers today, their entire experience of how they want to be dealt with has been shaped outside…
Signs of progress on national flood program for Canada
January 29, 2019 by Jason ContantCanada is making good progress on a national flood program, pending a final decision by federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for emergency management. “What they are looking at is one national insurance solution to improve outcomes for high-risk…
Private flood insurance cited in new emergency management plan
January 28, 2019 by Jason ContantFederal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments could “engage the private sector to develop an affordable private flood insurance model for the entire population, including clear incentives for mitigation of flood risks,” says a newly released emergency management strategy. Ministers have…
How many Ontario motorists got placed in the residual market
January 28, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe number of Ontario auto policies in the residual market has increased by nearly a third in little more than a year, figures released to Canadian Underwriter show. Since the fall of 2017, there has been “some uptick” in the…