Claims

Federal scientists predict high wildfire risk across Western Canada

EDMONTON – A majority of forests in Canada face a higher-than-normal wildfire risk this summer, say federal scientists. The forecast map from Natural Resources Canada suggests every region west of central Quebec will face an above-average hazard. “We’re starting to see indication of above-normal potential starting in June and carrying on through the summer,” Richard […]

By Greg Meckbach | May 6, 2020

2 min read

Claims

The biggest one

How the industry will survive a global pandemic

May 6, 2020

2 min read

Claims

Aviva loses battle in faulty workmanship exclusion dispute

The application of faulty workmanship exclusions continues to be a subject of disagreement among judges, a Court of Appeal of Alberta ruling from last week shows. The Court of Appeal of Alberta recently found that if a construction contractor causes damage that is outside its scope of work with the building owner, that damage might […]

By Greg Meckbach | May 5, 2020

5 min read

Claims

Why home fire risk has increased in Ontario

Ontario’s fire marshal says there’s been an increase in fire deaths this year as COVID-19 measures force many people to stay home and do more home cooking. Jon Pegg says there have been 51 fire fatalities between Jan. 1 and May 4, a 65 per cent increase over the same time period last year. He […]

By Greg Meckbach | May 5, 2020

2 min read

How this reinsurer views property risk in Fort McMurray

Some properties affected by the current flooding in Fort McMurray, Alberta, were also affected by the massive wildfire in 2016 but despite the multiple tragedies, the properties are still considered insurable. “Property in the town of Fort McMurray, Alberta is insurable, but there’s more work to be done to build resiliency in the area, and […]

3 min read

How to exclude business interruption during pandemic

If a commercial insurer does not want business interruption covering a pandemic-related exposure, how should the policy be worded? One insurance defence lawyer would advise the carrier to add a section entitled ‘Pandemic/viral/bacterial infection’ to the list of exclusions. “I would spell out scenarios in which each of those exclusions would apply,” said Ari Krajden, […]

3 min read

Report recommends measures to avoid repeat of flooding in Quebec community

MONTREAL – A report into the rupture of a dike in Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Que., during spring flooding last year suggests several problems including a lack of awareness among the population about the associated risks of living in the area. The report submitted to the province’s Public Security Department, a copy of which was obtained by The […]

2 min read

Why it’s hard to determine liability when a plaintiff catches coronavirus in nursing home

Liability insurers and courts could be entering uncharted legal territory when dealing with class-action lawsuits against nursing homes or long-term care homes in which residents have become sick and died from the coronavirus. In some cases, a question before a court could be whether it was foreseeable that residents would suffer harm unless certain measures […]

3 min read

How pandemic is affecting this Top 5 insurer’s bottom line

Delays in construction projects, business interruption, and reduced frequency of vehicle accidents will have an impact on insured losses, but it’s too early to predict exact numbers, The Co-operators General Insurance Company suggested in recent securities filing. “Given the many unknowns related to COVID-19, it is too soon to gauge the full impact of the […]

2 min read

Wimbledon cancellation could ‘change the entire way of looking at insurance’: Broker

The cancellation of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, and the associated nine-figure insurance payout, is going to change the way the industry offers pandemic coverage, a Canadian commercial broker suggests. A report by Britain-based GlobalData says the Wimbledon organizer paid for pandemic cancellation coverage and is set to receive a payout of £114 million (approximately CAN$199.5 […]

By Greg Meckbach | April 30, 2020

2 min read