What IBC and brokers think would improve condo insurance affordability in B.C.

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has issued a series of policy recommendations to help improve the affordability of strata insurance in British Columbia, some of which touch upon suggestions made by the province’s broker association.

IBC’s recommendations include:

• Mandatory education for strata board councils – Educating strata board directors on best practices would allow them to run their stratas in a way that will maximize their resources and reduce risks that could impact elements of building operations, including insurance.
• Review and implement Building Code changes to reduce risk – Amend building codes to ensure buildings have the appropriate measures to prevent and mitigate extensive water damage and other losses in both new and existing stratas. This may include measures such as water leak detection devices.
• Amend depreciation report requirements for strata corporations – A depreciation report (also known as a reserve fund study) provides a guide for strata corporations to set their short, medium and long-term maintenance goals. Currently, B.C. requires strata corporations to obtain depreciation reports however, legislation allows exemptions to this requirement. As a result, many stratas have relied on insurance to fill the gap, which has resulted in an increase in claims and costs.
• Define a standard strata lot in the Strata Property Act – A clear definition of what a standard residential strata lot is. It clearly determines what strata lot owners are responsible for and what the corporation is responsible for, and may help reduce the number of claims made by stratas in B.C.
• Capping loss assessments on strata lot owners – A monetary cap for deductible assessments and non-insured loss assessments. This may assist strata lot owners in accessing adequate, affordable insurance products to protect their residences and themselves from a potential financial loss.

Last month, Canadian Underwriter asked Chuck Byrne, the executive director and chief operating officer of the Insurance Brokers Association of B.C., what he thought would help address rising strata premiums and deductibles. Some of Byrne’s suggestions (such as capping loss assessments and defining a strata unit) were reflected in IBC’s recommendations.

Others were similar: Byrne suggested that the industry start a campaign to entice strata (condo) buildings and strata unit owners to adopt technology, such as water detection sensors, flow meters and shut-off valves to mitigate losses. Insurers need to publish their loss mitigation requirements and pass this knowledge to brokers and, by extension, consumers, Byrne said. Eventually, premium and term reductions to strata building owners must be offered. For its part, IBC recommended the amending of building codes to ensure buildings have the appropriate measures (such as water leak detection devices) to prevent and mitigate extensive water damage.

Byrne also suggested that insurance should be mandatory for all condo unit owners in the condo corporation.

According to IBC, there are over 35,000 strata corporations in B.C. As a result of increases in the number of claims and cost of repairs, many insurers have changed how they price policies. As building values have risen, so too have reconstruction and replacement costs when these properties experience an insured loss.

Related: Brokers on what would help bring down skyrocketing condo insurance premiums

As a result, IBC said in a press release Thursday, the cost of strata insurance in the province has increased by about 35% on average. “Strata insurance remains widely available, and IBC is not aware of any buildings that cannot access coverage. Stratas experiencing difficulty should shop around or contact IBC for assistance.”

IBC’s recommendations build on the work of the association’s National Commercial Task Force, which seeks to bring together insurers, government, and other stakeholders to develop recommendations to help keep insurance affordable and available across the country. Actions taken to date include:

• Engaging a risk manager to assist condominium corporations to improve their insurability
• Providing education and information on insurance and the importance of risk management and loss prevention strategies for condominiums
• Providing the government with best practices used in other jurisdictions
• Engaging insurers, stakeholders and government to assist condominium corporations facing insurance issues in the marketplace.

The first task force roundtable was held in Edmonton a few weeks ago. The second roundtable will be held in Vancouver March 17. Participants at that roundtable will discuss the IBC recommendations presented to government, the factors contributing to the current challenges, and to work to identify further solutions to improve the affordability of insurance overall.