We’ve all seen them: a waiver – the fine print – on the back of an event ticket or activity pass indicating that the operator refuses to accept liability for accidental outcomes. From a legal viewpoint, a waiver is the intentional and voluntary giving up of something, or the intentional relinquishing of a right of  more...

It’s largely unknown and misunderstood.  But it’s also one of the most valuable protections you have under most liability insurance policies. It is this: your insurer’s obligation and duty to provide and fund legal defence for you the policyholder, when a legal action is commenced against you. This amounts to a form of legal services  more...

What is due diligence??  Doing what is reasonable to prevent a risk from becoming an incident.* In other words: risk management. And in Ontario, every property owner or occupier needs to be aware of the obligations imposed by law to the risks of ice – on driveways and walkways, in parking lots and at building  more...

Most people don’t know it – but one of the greatest breaches of personal privacy – leading to social embarrassment or identity theft – can come by way of the office photocopier.  That’s because the hard drive can retain images of every document copied, and be available to whoever takes possession when the copier is  more...

Tunnel problems?  At the very end, is that gas that shoots out from the car?  What is the deal with this tunnel?! Submitted by: Kevin McTi more...

As news from the massive environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico continues to worsen, one thing is certain: the underwater oil spill – now 1 month in duration – will result in litigation for years to come. But the BP crude leak – which could be the largest oil spill in history – is  more...

Some days are better than others. This one started with a small leak (first photo – look to the left at the bottom of the wall), and progressed to an unintended lake. This is an example of what we in the insurance business, call a “worst case scenario”. And they do happen. Aside from possible  more...

The April 20th sinking of British Petroleum’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig 41 miles off the Louisiana coast could have an impact of up to $2B on various global insurance markets, according to Liberty International Underwriters. But according to some projections, the total financial hit is approaching $14B.  And growing. The magnitude of the threat continues  more...

From my earliest days, my father drilled into my head that I was responsible for the consequences of my own decisions. Hulk Hogan has never met my dad. The incident:  professional wrestler Hulk Hogan (real name is Terry Bollea) is suing Wells Fargo Southeast Insurance in the aftermath of a horrendous car accident in Clearwater  more...

How much liability insurance is enough?? – Picture yourself in this situation: somebody has threatened to sue you over a frivolous incident for which you believe you are not responsible.  Just to be safe, your insurer assigns a high-powered Toronto law firm to defend you. Here’s the shocking part: after pointing out that the plaintiff  more...