Icy Insurance: Deep freeze in Western Canada estimated to have caused over $180 million in insured damages
Edmonton, Alberta — The deep freeze that Western Canada experienced in January is now estimated to have caused over $180 million in insured damages, according to initial estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ). On January 12 in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, daytime highs dropped far below the seasonable normal and persisted for […]
Pothole Palooza: MPI sees jump in pothole-related claims; 249 claims received since start of 2024
Winnipeg, Manitoba — According to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), it has received 249 pothole-related claims since the start of 2024. The Crown corporation further notes that 161 of these claims were reported in the first 11 days of this month. This number is a distinct increase from the previous year in which MPI received a […]
Like a Good Neighbour: State Farm to pay $2 million fine for underpaid claims in Montana, U.S.
Montana, United States — Insurance provider State Farm will pay a US$2 million settlement following a two-year investigation by the Montana State Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) into the insurer’s claims handling practices. The investigation revealed that State Farm had underpaid some drivers who had been in accidents with State Farm’s insureds from November […]
Moving Forwards: MPI faces massive backlog following two month strike
Winnipeg, Manitoba — Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is facing a massive backlog of claims, road tests and other appointments as its employees return to work following a two-month strike. While the strike may have ended last week, MPI employees have some catching up to do reports Carmen Nedohin, who recently assumed the role of MPI’s […]
You Pour, You Pay: MPI to eliminate third-party coverage for impaired drivers Aug. 1
Winnipeg, Manitoba — Manitoba’s public insurer won’t be cutting a break to impaired drivers anymore, announcing Tuesday that drivers found to be under the influence will no longer be eligible for third-party liability coverage following a collision. Starting Aug. 1, if you drink, drive and crash in Manitoba, you can also add “pay” to that […]
A Lapse of Faith: Leaked internal MPI emails express concerns over Project Nova review, says CBC report
Winnipeg, Manitoba — The saga of Project Nova continues in Manitoba, as newly released internal emails from MPI raise concerns about McKinsey & Company, the consulting firm carrying out a $12 million review of the project. Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew released the emails during question period on Wednesday, stating that the chain of messages […]
A Spark of Solidarity: Rising LOR and repair complexity demand industry alignment, Enterprise Q4 report says
Toronto, Ontario — Enterprise published its length of rental report for Q4 2022 on Tuesday, with results that, in one respect point to pre-pandemic levels of stability, but otherwise bear much of the same disheartening news as LOR reports of the recent past. Enterprise says that despite an average length of rental (LOR) increase of […]
A Collective Collision: Collisions in 2020 cost the Canadian GDP $36 billion, StatsCan report says
Toronto, Ontario — If the entire population of Canada was required to cover the bill for a whole year’s worth of auto collisions, we would all be on the hook for about $946.65 for 2020’s results, according to Statistics Canada’s recent report on the social costs of collisions from that year. Collisions suffered by the […]
Crunching the Numbers: Catalytic converter theft rates higher than reflected numbers, report says
Toronto, Ontario — A new report from the U.S.’s National Salvage Vehicle Reporting Program (NSVRP) gets down to brass tacks on how catalytic converter thefts are costing the insurance industry and everyday drivers, more than what initial estimates may reflect. Based on data collected by State Farm, catalytic converter thefts are up 33 percent in […]
Damaged Hoods: Alberta Hail Storm results in damage to over 70 vehicles, cars
Calgary, Alberta – A severe Alberta storm made its way across Alberta on Monday and into Tuesday, leaving destruction in its wake. Baseball-sized hail was the main culprit of the damage, as it fell from the sky Monday onto unsuspecting drivers commuting on the Queen Elizabeth II highway in Alberta. The hail forced cars on […]
