Claims

New Brunswick mulls a ban on hand-held cell phones while driving

New Brunswick, one of only two provinces (in addition to Alberta) to allow the use of handheld devices while driving, is considering a ban on such use, cbc.ca reports.New Brunswick Public Safety Minister John Foran told cbc.ca that while the government has in the past opted for public education about the dangers of distracted driving, […]

By Canadian Underwriter | January 5, 2010

1 min read

Claims

Top 5 Frauds for 2009: MPI

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)’s special investigations unit (SIU) has recovered nearly $30 million over the last three years in undeserved benefits and denied fraudulent claims. Roughly 3,000 suspicious claims were reviewed in 2009. Five of those made MPI’s 2009 list of Top 5 frauds. The Number 1 spot goes to “Mr. Bad Timing,” who claimed […]

By Canadian Underwriter | January 4, 2010

2 min read

Claims

Facing the Facts on Facebook

Courts across the country are defining how insurers may use plaintiffs' Facebook pages to investigate potentially fraudulent claims.

December 31, 2009

6 min read

Claims

Supreme Court creates new defence for defamation: will it change a company’s exposure to reputational risk?

Corporate risk managers may wish to review their reputational risk in light of a new defence that protects publishers from defamation so long as their communications are found to be responsible and relate to matters of public interest.”Freewheeling debate on matters of public interest is to be encouraged and the vital role of the communications […]

By Canadian Underwriter | December 23, 2009

2 min read

Three severe Canadian weather events in 2009 caused insured damages totalling Cdn$637 million: IBC

Three separate severe weather events occurring in Alberta and Ontario in 2009 caused insured damages totalling Cdn$637 million, according to figures released by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) IBC says the various storms highlight the need for urgent action in managing the impact of climate change.In Alberta, deadly windstorms tore through the province between […]

1 min read

IMAX decision in Ontario lowers threshold for proceeding with a civil action for secondary market liability

Ontario’s Superior Court in IMAX has established a “relatively low” threshold to be met by plaintiffs seeking leave to proceed with a civil action for secondary market liability, according to Ogilvy Renault.The decision provides the first judicial interpretation of leave requirements that must be met when shareholders wish to bring a civil secondary market liability […]

2 min read

Proposed U.S. bipartisan bill would prohibit banks from engaging in insurance activities

U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and John McCain (R-AZ) have introduced a bipartisan bill that would prohibit U.S. commercial banks from engaging in all insurance activities, as well as prevent them from affiliating with investment banks. Essentially, the proposed bill would mark a return to the 1933 days of the Glass-Stegall legislative wall between commercial […]

2 min read

IBC to work with Alberta on improving auto product, now that minor injury cap is upheld

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says the Supreme Court of Canada’s refusal to hear an appeal against the province’s Cdn$4,000 minor auto injury cap is “good news for Alberta motorists,” and will open the door for a future review of the province’s overall 2004 reform package.”It marks the end of the uncertainty we’ve had since […]

2 min read

Supreme Court’s refusal to hear appeal efectively upholds Alberta’s Cdn$4,000 cap on minor auto injuries

The Supreme Court of Canada has upheld Alberta’s Cdn$4,000 cap on minor auto injuries.By refusing to hear any further appeal of the Alberta Court of Appeal’s decision, which found the province’s cap on minor auto injuries was constitutional, Canada’s top court has effectively closed the final avenue for appeal against an important component of the […]

1 min read

Insurers must be clear about denying benefits: Ontario court

An insurer must be absolutely “clear and unequivocal” in its denial of benefits, and the word “refusal” in documents to the policyholder would probably help, a recent Ontario court decision suggests.In Sukhdev Gill v. Economical Insurance Company, the Ontario Superior Court ruled The Economical’s mere placing of a ‘zero’ in an expense column of a […]

2 min read