‘It’s triage now’: Cottage Country brokers deal with flood fallout
May 6, 2019 by Adam MalikBrokers in Ontario’s Muskoka region are calling the recent flooding event the worst disaster they’ve ever seen. Both Stephen Darling, president at A.W. Shiers Insurance Brokers, and Adam Caswell, owner of Hutcheson Reynolds & Caswell, said damage is greater and…
Best incentives to get homeowners to move out of floodplains
April 29, 2019 by Jason ContantMassive flooding in Quebec has shined the spotlight on suitable incentives that may get homeowners to move out of floodplains. Quebec Premier François Legault said recently that the province will offer a maximum of $100,000 to homeowners dealing with flood…
Condo flooding liability 101
April 18, 2019 by David GambrillYou are the owner of a condo unit. The toilet in the condo unit above you overflows, causing water damage to your ceiling and floor. No, your upstairs neighbour does not have to reimburse you for your $1,000 insurance policy…
How brokers can stop a flooded basement
April 16, 2019 by David GambrillA recent study suggests brokers have a golden opportunity to talk to homeowners one-on-one about how to protect homes from basement floods. With the right information and often for less than $500, homeowners can protect themselves from the increasing risks…
Two winter storms, one $70-million claims bill for insurers
April 9, 2019 by David GambrillThe busy catastrophe season in Canada thus far is continuing with no signs of slowing down. Two severe weather storms in Ontario this year, one in February and one in March, cost insurers more than $70 million in insured damage,…
Canada ‘much closer’ to national flood program: IBC
April 2, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe industry is making progress on getting a national flood insurance program, but a key challenge is getting all provinces, territories and Ottawa to agree on how it should work, the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s CEO suggested Tuesday. Unlike Britain…
Flood victims win lawsuit against neighbour over laneway access
March 18, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA commercial property owner who was sued for $100,000 by neighbours over water damage is unable to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The top court announced March 14 it is denying Marilyn Marks leave to appeal a Court…
Fatal fire damages Abbotsford, B.C. apartment building
March 7, 2019 by Greg MeckbachABBOTSFORD, B.C. – The BC Coroners Service confirms one person has died in an apartment fire in Abbotsford. Coroners service spokesman Andy Watson says a woman in her 60s died in the blaze that broke out about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.…
Broker lands in hot water after BI coverage miscue
February 5, 2019 by David GambrillA Manitoba broker landed in hot water after filling in for a vacationing colleague whose commercial client wound up without business interruption coverage. Broker John C. McDonald was fined $250 for his role in the coverage mix-up. When McDonald’s work…
How costly is the fire peril for Canadian insurers?
December 13, 2018 by Jason ContantThe traditional fire peril continues to cost Canadian insurers, with fire/explosion accounting for almost a quarter (23%) of commercial claims by value, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) said in its new Global Claims Review report, released Thursday. AGCS analyzed…
How many Canadians actually understand water damage coverage?
December 6, 2018 by Jason ContantOnly about half of Canadians polled by Canada’s third largest insurer understand what kind of water damage is covered by their insurance policy, providing an opportunity for brokers to educate clients on the coverage. “For insurance brokers and agents, understanding…
Insurer said to have denied coverage ‘without a comprehensible explanation’
November 26, 2018 by Greg MeckbachIntact Insurance won a coverage dispute in court but “poor customer relations” means the homeowner plaintiff does not have to pay Intact’s legal defence costs. Homeowner Arnie Augspols sued Intact and G. Bates Plumbing. Augspols noticed several problems in his…