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 […]
Block Heater Blaming: Manitoba Public Insurance suing Ford over faulty block heaters
Winnipeg, Manitoba — Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has launched another lawsuit against Ford, alleging faulty block heaters caused fires that destroyed eight vehicles in the province. This marks the second lawsuit filed against Ford by MPI over block heater fires. The lawsuit, which was filed last week in Court of King’s Bench, claims the fires […]
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 […]
Subsidy Scandal: Insurance Bureau of Canada claims Alberta’s ‘safe drivers’ charged auto insurance premiums to subsidize high-risk drivers
Edmonton, Alberta — The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reports that Alberta’s ‘good’ drivers are being forced to pay auto insurance premiums to subsidize high-risk drivers. Using data from a Deloitte LLP report, the IBC said on Wednesday that it discovered that the province’s worst drivers have been offered subsidized insurance rates for 20 years. […]
Satvir Serving As CEO: Satvir Jatana named new president and CEO of MPI
Winnipeg, Manitoba — The Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) Board of Directors have selected Satvir Jatana as the corporation’s new president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Jatana currently serves as MPI’s vice president and chief customer officer, where she oversees product development, communications, government relations and efforts to expand the gathering and utilization of customer feedback […]
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 […]
Snowstorm Surges: ICBC claims increased by 160 percent following extreme winter weather
Victoria, British Columbia — The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) has experienced a surge in insurance claims following the recent bout of extreme winter weather conditions in the province this month. The insurance provider specifically saw 3,500 claims on January 11, a 160 percent increase from the average 1,300 claims per day, according to […]
Faking It: Manitoba Public Insurance unveils top claims fraud cases in 2023
Winnipeg, Manitoba — To close out 2023, MPI has created a list of some of its most ridiculous attempts at insurance fraud claims for the year. According to MPI’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU), auto insurance fraud in Manitoba costs more than $50 million every year. In 2023, the SIU closed more than 3,000 investigations of […]
Automotive Opt-Outs: Ontario drivers can now opt out of direct compensation property damage coverage insurance
Toronto, Ontario — Ontario drivers are now able to opt out of direct compensation property damage (DCPD) insurance as part of a wider multi-year insurance strategy first announced in 2019 by the Ontario government. DCPD coverage is designed to protect car owners from costs related to vehicle damage from a collision if they are not […]
New Year, New Rates: Government of Manitoba announces a five percent auto insurance rate reduction in the new year
Winnipeg, Manitoba — On Tuesday, the government of Manitoba announced that a five percent rate decrease has been ordered for all mandatory auto insurance premiums. This order came from the province’s Public Utilities Board and will come into effect beginning April 1, 2024, and then carry through into 2025. The change in rates comes after […]