Steers Insurance Blog

Earlier this year, the Ontario government announced they are creating a task force to regulate the towing industry to help vulnerable drivers who are being taken advantage of by fraudulent tow truck drivers, repair shops and rental companies.

Water damage to a business, regardless of how it happens, can lead to mold growth, costly litigation and financial loss. In addition to direct costs associated with cleanup, material replacement, equipment repair and mold remediation, water damage incidents may lead to significant indirect costs associated with construction delays and business interruptions.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there are about 1.17 Million employer businesses in Canada, and of these 1.14 Million (97.9%) were classified as small businesses. Now, most of them are forced to work from home.

Technology is ever evolving. Because of this, cyber and economic crime has also evolved and increased. According to Stats Canada, in 2017, one in five Canadian businesses reported a cybersecurity incident that affected their business. A 2018 PwC study found that 55% of Canadian companies experienced economic crime in recent years. It is because of the steady increase in crimes that many insurance companies now recommend Crime protection in addition to traditional business insurance. The enhanced commercial lines Crime offer provides higher limits, broader coverages, and coverages that were either not previously available to all customers or required endorsements.

Does your business insurance include a land and water extension? Most businesses have Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance that may protect them in the event of a third party claim for bodily injury or property damage arising out of their premises and operations, but while some CGL  policies include limited coverage for environmental losses, relying on a CGL  to fully cover environmental exposures is not prudent risk management and additional coverage may be required.

Halifax Small Business Week is fast approaching! Beginning October 19 and running through the 23rd, the week is dedicated to raising awareness of and supporting the over one million small business throughout Canada. Nova Scotia is home to nearly 30,000 small businesses and they employ 98% of workers here.

In the late evening of September 7, 2019, Hurricane Dorian made landfall on the east coast. While it was no longer technically a hurricane when it hit land, the storm resulted in over $105 million in insured damage, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. 70% of that was damage to personal property, 25% was damage to commercial property and the remainder of the damage was to automobiles.

Every day business owners rely on our computers, smart phones and tablets to keep them connected with their business and to their clients. If your business spends any time online, make sure it is protected against cybercrime.