Canadian Underwriter


News AdjustersClaimsInsuranceLegal

Are cannabis edibles a “drug”? What adjusters should be asking

February 22, 2019 by Jason Contant

Claims adjusters’ questions should address potential policy wording dilemmas related to the upcoming legalization of cannabis edibles later this year, a lawyer told Canadian Underwriter recently. For example, consider the following question in the context of edible cannabis (or even

News ClaimsInsuranceLegal

AB case generates massive confusion around “but for” causation test

February 21, 2019 by Jason Contant

A recent Ontario accident benefits case has highlighted ongoing confusion about how to identify and apply the proper causation test — including the contentious “but for” clause. The case revolves around whether the “but for” test of causation or the

News InsuranceLegislation / RegulationTechnology

How this province is handling autonomous vehicle testing

February 21, 2019 by Greg Meckbach

The Ontario government wants to expand testing of autonomous vehicles in the province. “Our government is taking active steps to open the door for expanded testing related to connected and autonomous vehicles in Ontario,” Michael Parsa, parliamentary assistant to the

News Brokers

This new statistic could prompt brokers to ask clients about house mates

February 20, 2019 by Greg Meckbach

The percentage of adults 25 and older who live with parents has nearly doubled over the past generation, Statistics Canada reported last week. In 1995, 5% of Canadians aged 25 to 64 (about 900,000 people) shared a residence with one

News InsuranceLegislation / Regulation

How expert witness restrictions impact insurers

February 15, 2019 by Greg Meckbach

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia will save millions as a result of new auto injury lawsuit rules for the province, which will likely cut costs for other carriers as well, the provincial government says. ICBC, which is losing over $1

News InsuranceLegal

A driver is convicted of assault after a collision. Is the vehicle’s owner vicariously liable for the crash?

February 13, 2019 by Greg Meckbach

The registered owner of a pickup truck could be held liable for injuries to an accident victim even though the at-fault driver of the pickup truck was convicted of assault as a result of a collision, the Court of Appeal

News Insurance

B.C. limits court experts in auto insurance to spur early settlements, savings

February 11, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESS

VICTORIA – The British Columbia government is clamping down on the use of experts to cut costs and reduce delays in settling claims in motor vehicle accidents. Attorney General David Eby says the changes to B.C. Supreme Court civil rules

News InsuranceLegal

The changes to B.C. auto injury lawsuit rules that this review recommends

February 7, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESS

VICTORIA – A review of legal cases involving British Columbia’s public insurer says despite public perception, the agency isn’t lowballing claimants in its settlement offers. The review conducted by legal counsel in the Ministry of the Attorney General was released

News Insurance

How breaking up can ruin your cheaper insurance premiums

February 6, 2019 by David Gambrill

If you are together as a couple, it might make sense to register the shared vehicle in the name of the person who can get the lowest insurance rates. But it can get complicated when the couple breaks up and

News ClaimsLegislation / Regulation

Has Intact noticed the impact of pot legalization on auto claims?

February 6, 2019 by Greg Meckbach

Recreational 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

News InsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Fate of this province’s auto reform now in the hands of politicians

February 1, 2019 by David Gambrill

Newfoundland’s auto insurance regulator, the Public Utilities Board (PUB), has tabled a thorough, 186-page report on what ails the province’s auto insurance system – with no recommendations to fix it. The chair of the PUB told the hearings held on

News ClaimsInsurance

Hundreds of collisions in aftermath of Toronto snow storm

January 30, 2019 by Jason Contant

A winter storm that dumped nearly a foot of snow on Toronto and surrounding areas over a 24-hour period has also caused hundreds of collisions. From a claims perspective, there has not been a “significant increase” in claim activity, one