Claims

Car owner vicariously liable for crash despite reporting her vehicle stolen

A car owner is vicariously liable for any damage or injury caused by the driver of their borrowed car, even if the owner places conditions on — or revokes — consent while the driver is still in possession of the vehicle, the Alberta Appeal Court has ruled. “The leading cases are Mugford and Garrioch,” the […]

By David Gambrill | May 13, 2022

3 min read

Claims

Appeal Court green-lights key feature of B.C.’s no-fault auto reform

A central pillar of the B.C. government’s auto insurance reform — that the province’s Civil Rules Tribunal (CRT) has exclusive jurisdiction to determine minor injuries below $50,000, and not the courts — has been found constitutional by the B.C. Appeal Court. The Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia won a lower court ruling that said […]

By David Gambrill | May 12, 2022

4 min read

Claims

Emergency alerts remain: Floodwater on Metis settlement receding

PADDLE PRAIRIE METIS SETTLEMENT – The chief administrative officer of a Metis settlement in northwestern Alberta says its members are feeling scared as floodwater that was up to the knees a few days ago recedes, exposing the damage left behind. “Some of these homes don’t have running water right now,” said Justin Gaudet of the […]

By Jason Contant | May 12, 2022

3 min read

Claims

What CISRO’s conduct principles mean for brokers

Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory Organizations (CISRO) has recently published the Principles of Conduct for Insurance Intermediaries, intended to help ensure the fair treatment of P&C consumers — and the Ontario regulator predicts broker compliance will be high. Many of CISRO’s principles are reflected in RIBO’s Code of Conduct for Ontario brokers and agents, as […]

By Alyssa DiSabatino | May 12, 2022

3 min read

4 insurance industry trends to watch

In this third calendar year marked by the pandemic, emerging trends in data collection and security require insurance policy offerings to keep pace with client needs. We can count on innovation and technology to keep reshaping the insurance sector in 2022 and beyond, and for insurers to help policyholders meet the moment by minimizing risk. […]

By Phil | May 11, 2022

3 min read

What auto insurers need to deny coverage based on alleged suicide attempt

Editor’s Note: This article has been corrected so that all incorrect references to Unica have been replaced with correct references to Optium. Canadian Underwriter apologizes for the error. If an insurer wishes to deny auto coverage to an injured driver on the basis of an alleged suicide attempt, the insurer’s claims investigation will need […]

4 min read

Are Canadian homeowners and renters overlooking flood risk?

Unintentional damage during renovations — especially water damage — continues to be an overlooked risk for Canadian homeowners and renters, according to a recent study from Chubb. The Chubb 2021 Homeowners Risk Report: Trends in Home Renovations and Water Damage found 53% of Canadian and U.S. homeowners and renters “experienced a loss or unintended damage […]

2 min read

Unlicensed adjuster doesn’t fit the ‘expert’ exemption: Regulator

Manitoba’s insurance regulator fined a former adjuster $500 and ordered him to pay partial investigation costs of $2,500 for acting as an adjustor without a licence and not, as the former adjuster claimed, as an ‘insurance expert’ helping claimants. Kenneth Wayne Munroe, a former designated representative of Sweetwater Consultants Inc., had been licensed as an […]

3 min read

Manitoba government announces disaster aid relief as flood worries continue

WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government is offering financial aid for flood victims as wet weather threatens to raise rivers again. Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk says the province will activate a disaster financial assistance program that he expects will give out well over $10 million. The money, to be cost-shared with the federal government, covers flood […]

1 min read

Don’t investigate fraud suspicions indefinitely, court tells insurer

If an insurer suspects fraud in a house fire contents claim, it might be better to deny the claim within 60 days, alleging fraud, rather than to prolong the claims investigation indefinitely while asking for documentation from the insured that isn’t forthcoming. That’s one key takeaway from a Supreme Court of British Columbia case in […]

3 min read