Category Archives: Insurance News

Catch-all category for developments in the law of insurance.

Court Upholds Insurer’s Denial of Claim Where Premises “Vacant” for More Than 30 Days

In Zimmerman v. Royal & SunAlliance Insurance Company, Mr. Justice Barry Matheson agreed that an insurer was entitled to deny coverage under a homeowner’s policy where the premises had been vacant for about 65 days. The home had been damaged … Continue reading

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Duty to Defend Held to Exist, Despite “Anti-Concurrent Causation” Clause in Policy

Decision of Justice Kershman dated Aug 10, 2007.pdf  Our office acted for the insured in what is, so far as we can determine, the first decision to consider whether a duty to defend was owed by an insurer whose policy … Continue reading

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Insurer Hit with $500,000 Punitive Damages Award in Fire Case

It was a good day for Barry Percival, who had cast aside the defence hat that he usually wears and was acting for the plaintiff. In Sagl v. Cosburn, Griffiths & Brandham et al., an action by a policyholder against … Continue reading

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Impairment “Permanent”, “Important”, But Not “Serious”

In Kourtesis v. Joris, Mr. Justice Edward R. Brown dismissed an action for damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident that occurred during the “Bill 59” regime of the Insurance Act. He held that the plaintiff’s chronic pain injuries … Continue reading

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Insurer Owes No Duty to Defend Additional Named Insured When It is Already Defending Named Insured

Madam Justice Nancy M. Mossip has refused to order an insurer to undertake, in whole or in part, the defence of an additional named insured. She reasoned that since the insurer was already defending its named insured, there was no … Continue reading

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Jolly Jurist Juxtaposes Jocosely in Judgment

Mr. Justice David M. Brown hasn’t been a judge for very long (he was appointed to the Superior Court on September 14, 2006). Maybe he hasn’t lost his sense of humour. Or maybe the opposite is true: the job is … Continue reading

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C.A Says Underinsured Auto Endorsement Does Not Cover Accident in Jamaica

In Pilot Insurance Company v. Sutherland, the Court of Appeal (Justices Rosenberg, Gillese and Lang) allowed an appeal from a decision of Madam Justice Margaret Eberhard of the Superior Court. Her Honour had held that a territorial limitation contained in … Continue reading

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C.A. Says No Allocation Between Primary and Excess Insurers

In McKenzie v. Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, released today, the Court of Appeal clarified the law with respect to overlapping insurance coverage and the order in which liability insurance policies must respond to a claim. In the Supreme … Continue reading

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C.A. Says Relief from Forfeiture only Available for Post-loss Events

In Williams v. York Fire & Casualty Insurance Company, released today by the Court of Appeal, the court was dealing with a fact situation that often comes up. A driver was involved in an accident. When the accident occurred, the … Continue reading

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Corporate Insured Permitted to Claim Damages for Mental Distress on Behalf of Its Officers in Fire Insurance Claim

In 539091 Ontario Ltd. v. Allianz Insurance, Madam Justice Helen Pierce was dealing with various proposed amendments to the statement of claim in a fire insurance case. The motion raised several interesting issues but of particular note was the request of … Continue reading

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