News

Black Summer…

Those in the industry who had been looking forward to an easy-going summer would have been jolted by the series of adverse events that seemed to cascade one after the other in the final stages of the season. Basically, short of pestilence (although would mad cow disease qualify in this category?) insurers were faced with […]

By Sean van Zyl, Editor | August 31, 2003

4 min read

B.C. Forest Fires Could Be Second-Worst Catastrophe

Early estimates of insured damage from forest fires still raging through B.C. suggest that this disaster could shape up to be Canada’s second-worst catastrophe loss, with the 1998 ice storm remaining well ahead in loss numbers. Media reports have put a $200 million insurance price tag on the B.C. fires, but the loss could potentially […]

August 31, 2003

2 min read

Risk Management: Changing Times

No one would disagree that the world of risk management has changed completely over recent years. Risk managers of today have to contend with corporate scandals and property risk exposures that before the 9/11 terrorist attacks were inconceivable. For many risk managers this is also the first real hard insurance market they have encountered during their careers. It is in such times that the role of professional bodies become invaluable to their members. And, as veteran risk managers Glen Frederick and Anne Chalmers prepare for this year's RIMS Canada conference to be held in Victoria, B.C., they promise that the event will be very much focused on the tools and solutions available to risk managers during such volatile times.

August 31, 2003

5 min read

Perils and Fire, Exclusion Door Opens for Insurers

Canada's highest court recently made it a lot easier for insurers to put fire-following exclusions for severe catastrophic incidents into multi-peril policies. The question now is whether provincial legislators will respond with what many in the insurance industry - particularly the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) - say are much-needed changes to legislation across the country.

By Craig Harris | August 31, 2003

9 min read