Claims

Ontario requires auto insurers to send publications to consumers explaining auto reforms

Ontario’s insurance regulator is requiring the province’s auto insurers to mail out publications explaining the forthcoming auto insurance reforms to consumers.The content and wording of the documents, which are not to be altered when sent to consumers, is the product of a working group that included insurers, brokers, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) […]

By Canadian Underwriter | May 28, 2010

2 min read

Claims

Forest fires continue to rage across Quebec

More than 60 forest fires are burning across Quebec, 12 of which are out of control, reports the Montreal Gazette.The Abitibi region in northern Quebec and the Haute-Maurice region, north of Trois Rivieres, are the two most active areas. Approximately 30,000 hectares of forest have been destroyed so far.The Société de protection des forêts contre […]

By Canadian Underwriter | May 28, 2010

1 min read

Claims

Canada proposing new legislation to ban non-authorized insurance from bank Web sites

Canada is formally proposing new legislation that would prohibit banks from promoting “non-authorized insurance from all banking Web pages.”This includes banning the display of online links to Web pages that promote non-authorized insurance. The proposed regime would allow the “corporate Web page of a bank, where no financial products are promoted, to display links to […]

By Canadian Underwriter | May 27, 2010

1 min read

Claims

Canadian Hurricane Centre warns 2010 season may bring increased number of storms

The Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) is cautioning East coasters that the 2010 hurricane season may bring above average activity. “A number of international hurricane authorities are predicting that this year will be an active hurricane season in the Atlantic basin,” said Chris Fogarty, the CHC’s program supervisor. On average, each year one or two storms […]

By Canadian Underwriter | May 27, 2010

1 min read

Supreme Court dismisses final appeal against Nova Scotia’s injury cap

The Supreme Court of Canada has effectively upheld Nova Scotia’s $2,500 cap on minor auto injury claims.The Supreme Court on May 27 dismissed leave to appeal a December 2009 decision by the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, which confirmed the constitutionality of the province’s minor injury cap. The Supreme Court does not give reasons for […]

1 min read

Re-opened Hurricane Katrina claims speak to overworked adjusters: BestWeek

Re-opened Hurricane Katrina claims demonstrate what can happen when an overwhelming catastrophic event causes beleaguered adjusters to bite off more than they can chew, according to a report by A.M. Best/Week.The May 17 BestWeek article, ‘Katrina Claims a Lesson for Adjusters,’ does not contain any specific figures showing the number or percentage of re-opened claims. […]

2 min read

City of Toronto could not have foreseen bizarre archery injury: Ontario judge

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has found that the City of Toronto was not negligent in its operation of a public archery range, at which one friend catastrophically injured another in a bizarre plan to retrieve arrows.The two friends went on a picnic during the fall of 2000 and ended up playing a casual […]

2 min read

Hurricane activity expected to be “above-normal” in 2010: TSR

Hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin is anticipated to be 55% above the long-term (1950-2009) norm, according to storm modeler Tropical Storm Risk (TSR). This above-normal level is expected to be even higher if La Niña develops during the second half of the year, according to TSR Pre-Season Forecast for 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Activity. The […]

1 min read

OPP lay charges in alleged staged collision

Ontario Provincial Police have laid fraud charges against 11 people for allegedly staging a collision on Highway 400 north of Toronto in June 2009, the National Post reports.According to the paper, nine occupants of a car and minivan, as well as two tow-truck drivers staged an early-morning collision on June 22, 2009 on Highway 400 […]

1 min read

ICBC fails to prove identity of hit-and-run driver, forced to assume liability

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) has been ordered by B.C.’s provincial court to assume the liability of a hit-and-run accident when an investigation failed to determine the identity of the driver.In Spitman v ICBC, Jen Spitman was at a house party in October 2005. In the wee hours of the morning, uninvited guests […]

3 min read