Canada News

State Bans on Phoning While Driving Fail to Reduce Crashes

As state legislators across the United States enact laws that ban phoning and/or texting while driving, a new study finds no reductions in crashes after hand-held phone bans take effect. Comparing insurance claims for crash damage in four U.S. jurisdictions …

Ratings: RSA Canada, Korean Re, New India, Labuan Re, Al-Ahleia, Generali/Volksfuersorge, GCAN

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength ratings (FSR) to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “a” from “a-” of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada (RSA Canada), Quebec Assurance Company and …

Kingsway to Sell Jevco; Best Says Lincoln Still Weighs

Toronto-based Kingsway Financial Services announced today that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement with The Westaim Corporation to sell “all of the issued and outstanding shares of Jevco Insurance Company to Westaim for an aggregate purchase price of …

Chimpanzee Attack: Clinic Can’t Do Transplants for Connecticut Victim

A hospital that performed America’s first face transplant has told the family of a woman mauled and blinded by a chimpanzee a year ago that she is not a candidate for a face and hand transplant. Charla Nash’s family is …

Best Affirms RSA Group’s ‘A’ Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of the main UK operating subsidiaries of the UK’s RSA Insurance Group plc. Best also affirmed the ICR of “bbb” …

Securities Lawsuit Filings Decline in 2009

What a difference a year makes. Just 12 months ago, the subprime and credit crisis litigation wave was in full spate, and the onslaught of Madoff and other Ponzi scheme lawsuits had just begun to surge. While both of those …

A.M. Best Reports Reinsurers See Orderly, But Soft, January Renewals

January renewals showed signs of softening as reinsurers benefited from improved financial markets plus a lack of natural catastrophe claims in 2009. The three largest global reinsurance brokers – Aon Benfield, Guy Carpenter & Co. and Willis Re – said …

Safety National Launches a New Large Casualty Program

St. Louis, Mo.-based excess workers’ compensation coverage provider Safety National has introduced a comprehensive large casualty program, which combines the company’s large deductible workers’ compensation product offering with commercial auto and general liability coverage. New products previously developed by Safety …

U.S. Senate Vote Dims Hopes for Stronger World Climate Pact

Hopes for stronger world action in 2010 to curb climate change have dimmed after the U.S. Democrats lost a key Senate seat to a Republican opposed to capping emissions, experts said Wednesday. The election of Republican Scott Brown, an opponent …

Michigan Workers’ Compensation Claim Costs Among Lowest, Most Stable

Workers’ compensation total costs per claim in Michigan are among the lowest of 15 states, and the growth of these costs in Michigan over time has been more stable than in most other study states, according to a new study. …