Claims

Sanction-fueled oil demand could boost Alberta captives plan

Sanctions on Russian oil and a major insurer’s recent announcement that it will depart oil sands coverage could spark additional interest in Alberta’s plans to allow captive insurers to domicile in the province. On Mar. 1, AIG said it had “committed to no longer invest in or provide insurance for construction of any new coal-fired […]

By Phil | March 9, 2022

2 min read

Claims

Where insurers are at with Canadian pandemic BI litigation

Canadian courts are dealing with pandemic business interruption (BI) cases at a glacial pace compared to those in the U.K. and the United States, prompting some legal observers to call for judicial reform. “As the pandemic extends into its third calendar year, courts throughout the United States and across the Commonwealth have made remarkable strides […]

By David Gambrill | March 9, 2022

4 min read

Claims

A CEO is injured while jogging. Does his personal or commercial auto benefits apply?

A company CEO who has both personal and commercial auto insurance is not considered to be a “deemed insured” under the commercial auto policy if he has never before driven a company vehicle – even if he had access to the company vehicles, the Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled. Secondly, an insurer providing optional […]

By David Gambrill | March 8, 2022

3 min read

Claims

Court upholds minor injury guideline on shoulder tears

Partial shoulder tears are “minor injuries” under Ontario’s Minor Injury Guidelines (MIG), which cap accident benefits for drivers suffering minor injuries at $3,500, the License Appeal Tribunal (LAT) has confirmed. Mohd’Ismail Patel, a delivery truck driver, was injured in an automobile accident on June 22, 2018, and sought accident benefits from his insurer, Security National. […]

By David Gambrill | March 7, 2022

2 min read

Debris from cargo ship spill last fall spreading along B.C. coast: beach cleaners

TOFINO, B.C. – A volunteer organization that has been cleaning up debris from a cargo ship that lost 109 containers off the B.C. coast last fall says the incident should be a wake-up call to the need for more urgent action. Alys Hoyland of the Surfrider Foundation’s Pacific Rim chapter in Tofino said urinal mats, […]

3 min read

Court overturns $100K bad faith award against Lloyd’s, Industrial Alliance

An insured is not entitled to a bad faith cost award based on his travel insurers’ conduct in settling the claim with foreign medical service providers, so long as the insured is not exposed to pay settlement amounts that exceed policy limits, the B.C. Court of Appeal has ruled. The Appeal Court thus dismissed a […]

4 min read

AXA XL hires two energy business underwriters

AXA XL has named Kate Zhou as senior underwriter and Ian Lui as underwriter for its Canada energy business. Both are based in Toronto. Zhou will report to Jennifer Arezes, head of property, construction and energy in Canada, who called Zhou “one of the top energy underwriters in the country. Gaining Zhou’s experience, Arezes added, […]

By Phil | March 3, 2022

1 min read

Zurich Resilience Solutions in Canada adds new executive talent

Zurich Canada is growing Zurich Resilience Solutions (ZRS) in Canada, adding Scott Thomas to the team as the head of ZRS for Canada and Chris Snider as head of sales and distribution. “This investment in ZRS Canada talent is an exciting step on our journey to be a customer-led organization,” said Saad Mered, Zurich Canada CEO. “For his part, Scott […]

2 min read

What auto claims will look like in three years

The claims experience will become increasingly automated over the next three years, as many customers are handling their claims virtually – and this will impact insurance professionals’ daily work, a recent LexisNexis report predicts. LexisNexis Risk Solutions 2025 Claims Prediction includes forecasts for 2025 and notably states that the auto direct repair industry will […]

3 min read

Fort Mac bowling alley covered for water damage despite flood exclusion

A Fort McMurray, Alta., bowling alley is entitled to coverage for water damage sustained in the April 2020 flooding, despite its insurance policy containing a clear flood exclusion. The Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench found Intact included a coverage extension in the policy, under the heading, “Other Water Damage,” that overrode the policy exclusion for […]

3 min read