MONTREAL – The federal government is committing an additional $15 million over three years to fight the rise in vehicle thefts across the country. Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc made the announcement yesterday in Montreal. LeBlanc said $9 million will go toward provincial, territorial and municipal police services to increase their capacity to take […]
By Jason Contant | February 22, 2024
2 min read
Most insurers see homes with knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum wiring, and 60-amp service as high-risk, which prevents clients with those systems from easily obtaining home insurance. But are wiring types and service levels really the culprits causing fires? I’ve examined electrical systems in thousands of older houses and find knob-and-tube, 60-amp service, and aluminum wiring rarely […]
By Phil | February 21, 2024
3 min read
Intact delivered a combined ratio of 94.7% in its auto insurance business in 2023, and the company expects to post a similar auto result in 2024 as well, Intact Financial Corporation CEO Charles Brindamour said today in a virtual fireside chat with TD Securities. “At this stage, we’ve delivered exactly what we set in terms […]
By David Gambrill | February 21, 2024
3 min read
Air Canada has been ordered to uphold a policy fabricated by its AI customer chatbot in a recent Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) dispute. The decision is a cautionary tale for why clients need to be sure their AI chatbots provide accurate information — or risk being held liable in court. The dispute arose after […]
By Alyssa DiSabatino | February 21, 2024
2 min read
EDMONTON – The Alberta government has declared an early start to the 2024 wildfire season in the face of low snowpacks and forecasts of dry weather to come. Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said Tuesday the season is now underway — 10 days earlier than the usual start of March 1. “We are […]
By Jason Contant | February 21, 2024
3 min read
Insurance brokers in B.C. aren’t required to advise clients new to Canada that they must apply for a provincial driver’s licence within 90 days of residency in the province, B.C.’s Civil Rules Tribunal has ruled. “I find that the duty of care for ICBC [Insurance Corporation of B.C., the province’s public insurer] and its insurance […]
By David Gambrill | February 20, 2024
3 min read
Insurers need to play a greater role in helping to manage high-risk flood areas in Indigenous communities, a tribal chief said during the CatIQ Connect conference earlier this month. “At some point, you as insurers are going to have to start guiding development away from the highest-risk flood areas by saying no to coverage,” says […]
By Jason Contant | February 20, 2024
3 min read
Ontario’s property and casualty insurance professionals have widely panned the provincial government’s latest move to make mandatory Direct Collision Physical Damage (DCPD) coverage optional to reduce premiums. Canadian Underwriter conducted an online poll with more than 400 P&C professionals nationwide this week about regional efforts at auto reform. Of those, almost 250 were from Ontario. […]
By David Gambrill | February 16, 2024
4 min read
Hospitality providers are gradually emerging from a pandemic-era slump that nearly scuppered the industry in 2020 and 2021. The new normal, though, means restaurateurs, venue owners and other businesses likely need to review their insurance coverages and consider some very specific risks. Plus, they should have an eye on subrogation opportunities and look for ways to […]
By Phil | February 16, 2024
3 min read
OTTAWA – Government departments lacked adequate protections to fend off a “sophisticated and co-ordinated” cyberattack that compromised the sensitive information of tens of thousands of Canadians, the federal privacy watchdog has found. In a report tabled Thursday, privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne describes how the lapse at the Canada Revenue Agency and Employment and Social Development […]
By Jason Contant | February 16, 2024
2 min read