Claims

Evacuation orders and alerts expanded as wildfires spread

SUMMERLAND, B.C. – Evacuation orders and alerts have been expanded as several wildfires in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley chew through bush and timber. A 10-square-kilometre blaze burning just south of Peachland on the west side of Okanagan Lake prompted an evacuation order for three more properties late Thursday night. Those evacuations are in addition to […]

By Jason Contant | July 22, 2018

2 min read

Claims

How drone technology is transforming roofing claims

With the increasing number of catastrophes across the country, there is general consensus in the industry that resources are stretched thin. “The industry has a finite number of roofing companies, adjusters and estimators and to gear up to handle many tens of thousands more claims than normal obviously can’t be met by the existing number […]

By Jason Contant | July 19, 2018

3 min read

Claims

Supreme Court to determine fate of Lloyd’s payment in $5.6-million shipping loss

The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear a dispute that will determine whether a Lloyd’s insurer may recover some of the claim money it paid out arising from a $5.6-million cargo ship loss on the St. Lawrence River. Shipping company Transport Desgagnés inc. is suing Wärtsilä Group, a Netherlands-based manufacturer of marine engines […]

By Greg Meckbach | July 19, 2018

4 min read

Claims

After leak causes $3-million damage to dream home, plumbing contractor loses bid to block insurer’s subrogation

A plumbing contractor facing a subrogation lawsuit from a homeowner’s insurer is not eligible for coverage under the homeowner’s purchased Residential Builders–All Risks [RBAR] insurance policy, an Ontario court has ruled. Joseph and Lidia Maio had their dream home built on a property in Vaughan, Ontario. It took two years to build and was finally […]

By David Gambrill | July 19, 2018

3 min read

Fake abduction, Bitcoin ransom latest criminal tactics: RCMP

RICHMOND, B.C. – Mounties in Richmond, B.C., say it appears criminals have added Bitcoin ransom to the growing list of manoeuvres to swindle money from unsuspecting victims. Officers responded to a report of an abduction on July 16 where a victim said they had received a call from a person demanding money for the safe […]

1 min read

Tobacco lawsuit defence set back by Supreme Court of Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled against the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, which is being sued by the British Columbia government for the cost of treating smoking-related illness. Part of the issue in question centres around whether the province has to turn over health care records to individual defendants. Worldwide, lawsuits arising from smoking […]

3 min read

Distracted cycling? Ontario man charged after colliding with transport truck

SOUTH WEST OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Ont. – Provincial police say a cyclist, allegedly distracted by his cellphone, is facing a charge after colliding with a transport truck in southwestern Ontario. Police say the collision occurred on Tuesday morning in South West Oxford Township, Ont. Investigators say the cyclist collided with the trailer on the truck at […]

1 min read

New risks arising from Canadian arctic shipping

As shrinking arctic ice opens up of new shipping routes through Canada’s Arctic Archipelago, this presents challenges for risk managers and insurers, Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty suggests in a report scheduled for release Wednesday. “Arctic ice has been thinning and retreating over the past 40 years, bringing new opportunities for shipping, but also serious environmental […]

2 min read

How data breaches cause harm even if no financial info is stolen

A recent data breach at an Ontario college highlights the importance of educating clients on cybersecurity, even if no financial information was exposed. “Even having your name, address and date of birth stolen can still cause problems,” Don Duncan, security engineer for Vancouver-based NuData Security, said Tuesday. “Cybercriminals can use this information to create a […]

2 min read

Ontario court does not have jurisdiction to hear proposed class action against police

TORONTO – A judge has ruled that the Ontario Superior Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear a proposed class-action lawsuit that accused the Waterloo regional police force of gender-based bullying, violence and sexual misconduct. In a ruling released Friday, Justice Deena Baltman said the case raised “serious, triable issues” relating to workplace culture […]

3 min read