Premier Ford promises ‘solution’ to Ontario joint and several liability concerns
January 28, 2019 Allison Jones - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – Ontario is taking a look at municipalities’ concerns about a legal rule that they say causes “liability chill” and leads some to ban activities such as street hockey and tobogganing. In a speech Monday to the Rural Ontario…
Flood risk guidance for commercial brokers coming soon
January 25, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA standard on flood resiliency for commercial real estate could be coming out this year. The Intact Centre for Climate Adaptation is working on a document intended to help commercial insurance brokers and real estate companies reduce flood risk for…
How your commercial clients are exposed to pot liability even if they don’t produce cannabis
January 25, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMarijuana poses a liability risk for commercial clients even if they are not in the cannabis business, an insurance lawyer suggests. Suppose your client operates a hotel where a party takes place. If someone smokes cannabis at that party, drives,…
How to make money during an unprofitable market
January 24, 2019 by David GambrillAs market conditions start to become more challenging in personal home, auto and commercial property lines, how can carriers and brokerages maintain a healthy, profitable book of business? “To me, there are three possible strategies,” says Greg McCutcheon, president of…
Insurer involvement urged in the building code process
January 24, 2019 by Jason ContantThe Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) and Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) want to restore direct insurance industry involvement in the building code process. “At some point in the distant past, perhaps four decades ago or more, the Canadian…
Your drunk client arrives home safely. Why your exposure does not end there
January 24, 2019 by Jason ContantSocial hosts owe a duty of care beyond the time when an intoxicated guest returns home safely, the Court of Appeal for Ontario has ruled in a recent decision. In more intimate settings, there is an enhanced risk, and therefore…
One cannabis risk that seems under the radar
January 23, 2019 by Greg MeckbachWith the legalization of recreational marijuana, more needs to be done to warn people of the health risks, including psychosis, a speaker told insurance claims professionals Tuesday. “One of the things I am most disappointed about is that, in the…
Alberta insurance tech provider acquires Ontario specialty insurer
January 23, 2019 by David GambrillBesurance Corporation, a Calgary-based insurance and technology company, has agreed to acquire Fenchurch General Insurance Company, an Ontario-based specialty insurer that offers insurance programs across Canada. Specifically, Fenchurch provides programs in warranty, trucking, surety and accident and sickness. Its products…
Why the global protection gap is the lowest it’s been in 14 years
January 22, 2019 by David GambrillGlobally, the protection gap in 2018 shrunk to 60% – the lowest level it has been in 14 years, according to a new report on global catastrophes by Aon plc. Extreme weather drove the majority of the globe’s $225-billion worth…
Where the claims industry stands on flexible workplace conditions
January 22, 2019 by Canadian UnderwriterEditor’s Note: This version of the story clarifies that previous remarks attributed to Glen Hopkinson were not intended in any way to be interpreted as connected to the merger of AXA and XL Catlin. His remarks were intended to refer…
How Intact is promoting Big Data and actuarial training
January 21, 2019 by Jason ContantCanada’s largest insurer has teamed up with a Quebec university to establish two new chairs in artificial intelligence (AI) and actuarial science. Intact Financial Corporation and Université Laval announced Friday: The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)/Intact Financial Corporation…
What will insurance look like in 30 years?
January 21, 2019 by Jason ContantInsurance company survival and relevancy will be big issues for the industry in the coming decade, predicts a P&C industry consultant. “We are facing somewhat of a crisis in that our industry is only picking up 32% of catastrophic losses…