Claims

Edmonton man recalls comforting victims of fatal bus rollover

Ahad Saheem and his friend were taking pictures and drinking cold, clean water from the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park when they heard a loud noise behind them. A red-and-white sightseeing bus with giant tires, just like the one the Edmonton men had taken to the Columbia Icefield less than 15 minutes earlier last […]

By Greg Meckbach | July 24, 2020

3 min read

Claims

Northbridge’s advice to restaurants upon re-opening

As restaurants in much of Ontario re-open July 24, a major commercial insurer is warning companies to train their staff carefully. “Servers should bring items such as glasses, cutlery, and single-serve condiments to the table only after the party is seated and avoid touching water glasses or coffee cups during refills,” Northbridge Insurance wrote on […]

By Greg Meckbach | July 23, 2020

2 min read

Claims

The issue with this waiver in trampoline personal injury lawsuit

An indoor trampoline operator has lost its bid to have a personal injury lawsuit from a customer dismissed on the grounds of a waiver. In Zaky v. 2285771 Ontario Inc., Ontario Superior Court Justice Clayton Conlan ruled there is a genuine issue requiring a trial in court. The ruling pertains to an ongoing lawsuit filed […]

By Greg Meckbach | July 22, 2020

3 min read

Claims

Separate quakes hit off B.C. and Alaska, but cause no damage, tsunami

VANCOUVER – A moderate earthquake has occurred off northwest Vancouver Island but emergency officials in British Columbia say it has not produced a tsunami. Earthquakes Canada says the magnitude 5.4 quake struck at 4:33 a.m. and was centred 285 kilometres west of Campbell River. The U.S. Geological Survey website shows the shaker could have been […]

By Greg Meckbach | July 22, 2020

1 min read

A P&C insurance-specific guide for returning to the office: Deloitte

As Canadian P&C insurance industry leaders start to think about bringing employees back to the office, now is a good time to re-think the work required, the workforce skills that will be needed in the future, and what the future workplace might look like, according to a report by consulting firm Deloitte. The P&C insurance […]

3 min read

Basement flood victims lose suit against previous owners

British Columbia homeowners who tried to sue the people who sold them the home for water damage allegedly caused by hydrostatic pressure lost their case at the Civil Resolution Tribunal. Seth Nanayakkara, Julia Wells and Linda Adams bought took possession of their home — purchased from Linda and John MacIntyre — in July 2019. The […]

2 min read

Court dismisses class action against insurers for handling of HST in auto AB claims

Ontario’s Superior Court has quashed a proposed class action lawsuit against 16 Ontario auto insurers — a dispute related to insurers deducting HST tax from accident benefits paid out to minor auto accident injury victims — because only the LAT has jurisdiction to hear Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) claims in the first instance. Ontario’s Licence […]

4 min read

Fraud schemes that financially-strapped clients may be considering

Some consumers who owe money on vehicle loans during the COVID-19 pandemic may be tempted to make false auto theft claims, an independent adjuster warns. “Insureds who are desperate for money may have the vehicle stolen and burned to ensure the vehicle is a total loss. In some cases, they may also strip the vehicle […]

2 min read

How liability is shared for this left-turn collision at a yellow stoplight

A British Columbia motorist who was hit by an oncoming vehicle while turning left at a yellow light is 75% liable, not 100% liable as originally assessed by the insurer, the province’s Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) has ruled. Clayton Trenaman was driving south on Yale Rd. in Chilliwack this past October when he made a […]

3 min read

A province’s second effort to limit auto trial experts is enacted into law

Stymied by a B.C. Supreme Court ruling last year in Crowder v. British Columbia (Attorney General), B.C.’s attorney general is attempting once again to change court rules to limit expert evidence in vehicle court actions – a move that is similarly facing a constitutional challenge from the province’s trial lawyers. Bill 9, which received Royal […]

3 min read