How the EU’s data privacy law will apply to your Canadian clients
June 5, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe European Union’s new data privacy law can affect your clients even if they don’t have offices in Europe, a cyber security expert with one of the world’s biggest brokerages warns. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which took effect…
How budget cuts will affect flood risk mitigation
June 5, 2019 by Greg MeckbachFlood risk mitigation in Ontario could start to depend a lot more on the willingness of corporations and individuals to donate money to the conservation authorities. “The conservation authorities are going to have to make a better case for outreach…
Another small-town Saskatchewan brokerage gets bought by large U.S. firm
June 4, 2019 by Greg MeckbachHub International Ltd. has bought its second Saskatchewan property and casualty insurance brokerage in less than a month. Chicago-based Hub said Tuesday it has acquired Kamsack-based Cottenie and Gardner Inc. Kamsack is a town of about 1,800, situated near the…
How warning signs factored in this ski resort’s lawsuit defence
June 4, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA warning sign and the plaintiff’s work experience were among the reasons a personal injury lawsuit against Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain Resorts Ltd. has been dismissed. Jason Apps was catastrophically injured while snowboarding in March, 2016 at Grouse Mountain. The ticket…
This commercial line could get a lot more exciting soon
June 4, 2019 by Jason ContantThe Canadian marine insurance market could get a lot more interesting in the next year-and-a-half as major infrastructure projects get underway. “There are more large infrastructure projects on the drawing board and it could be a very interesting 18 months…
Aon appoints president of commercial risk and health solutions in Canada
June 4, 2019 by Jason ContantAon plc has appointed Stéphane Lespérance as president of commercial risk and health solutions in Canada. In his new role, Lespérance will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the commercial risk and health solution teams in Canada, Aon said…
When ‘residence employee’ is key in home insurance wording
June 3, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA coverage dispute, arising from severe electric shock injuries to a baby in a rented house, shows disagreement over the exact meaning of “residence employee” in a home insurance policy. Doris Wong and her brother Johnny Wong were sued in…
Is climate change to blame for Alberta wildfires?
June 3, 2019 by Jason ContantIs climate change causing the massive wildfires that are burning out of control in Alberta, which are now reportedly nearing half the size of the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire? Not on its own, but climate change can mean a fire…
Terrorism is changing. How coverage is following suit
June 3, 2019 by Greg MeckbachAs the terrorism threat shifts from large-scale attacks to softer targets, coverage options from insurance carriers are evolving as well. Some policies cover incidents when an attacker uses a gun, knife or acid for example, Tarique Nageer, Marsh LLC’s terrorism…
Brokers concerned about blanket approach to binding authority restrictions
May 31, 2019 by Jason ContantWith wildfires raging in northern Alberta and Ontario, brokers are reporting some funky outcomes associated with insurers’ binding authority restrictions. Under the restrictions, brokers cannot bind coverage in areas under civil authority, forest fire alerts, flood alerts and certain earthquake…
Competitive insurance industry urged to collaborate more often
May 31, 2019 by Adam MalikTo get the best out of your collaboration efforts, get outside of your comfort zone. The best companies understand the value of collaboration, said Sven Roehl, co-founder of Cookhouse Lab, an insurtech innovation firm. But they also understand they need…
Guess who’s in the flood prevention business now
May 30, 2019 by David GambrillWe’ve seen forensic engineering firms apply remediation methods to commercial and residential properties that were affected by flood damage. But now, as flooding has become more severe, they are in the vanguard of building comprehensive and tailored flood prevention and…