Claims

BI claims during COVID: What the courts will examine first

When business interruption coverage disputes arising from COVID-19 make their way into court, judges may look at whether insurers priced for pandemic, but by far the key consideration will be policy language, says one insurance defence lawyer. “Because an insurance policy is simply a contract, albeit with some special features, the insurance policy wording remains […]

By Greg Meckbach | April 30, 2020

3 min read

Ice jam that caused flooding, evacuation in Fort McMurray melting

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – An ice jam on the Athabasca River is nearly half the size it was earlier this week when it caused major flooding in Fort McMurray and forced 13,000 people from their homes. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo says in a statement that the blockage was 13 kilometres in size Wednesday […]

By Greg Meckbach | April 30, 2020

3 min read

Chief medical health officer eases COVID rules in Alberta flood areas: premier

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – Premier Jason Kenney says the province’s chief medical officer of health is relaxing some COVID-19 restrictions for people who are dealing with flooding in northern Alberta. Kenney says in a tweet sent out late Tuesday that there have been concerns expressed in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which includes Fort […]

By Greg Meckbach | April 29, 2020

1 min read

Is the risk of coronavirus a ‘physical loss’ to the property?

Commercial insurers may say that business interruption does not normally apply to the pandemic because coverage only kicks in when there is an insurable property loss. However, some clients’ lawyers are arguing the coronavirus should in fact be considered a physical loss. South of the border, insurance lawyer Charles “C.J.” Haddick knows of one lawsuit […]

By Greg Meckbach | April 29, 2020

3 min read