Insurable Interest Canadian Insurance Blog

Businesses are facing a permanent high-risk environment, as sharp rises in technology, geopolitical and regulatory threats create a more volatile operating environment and force tougher strategic choices, according to new research from global law firm Clyde & Co. 86% of business leaders now rate technological risk as high impact, up from 46% last year 72% say geopolitical risk is having a direct commercial impact, up from 49% 85% cite regulatory and compliance burden as high impact, up from 54% Four in five organisations say geopolitical shifts are influencing where and how they operate globally Nearly six in ten say the complexity of overlapping risks is the biggest barrier to managing them effectively London, UK (July 1, 2026) – The latest edition of Clyde & Co.’s Corporate Risk Radar report, based on a survey of 700 senior decision-makers across eight regions and ten sectors, shows sharp year-on-year increases across every major risk category. Respondents – including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, General Counsel and board members – represent organizations with an average global turnover of $14.7 billion. The findings suggest risk is no longer being experienced as a series of isolated challenges. Instead, business leaders are increasingly dealing with risks that overlap, compound and...

New KPMG research finds a disconnect between sustainability strategy and financial decision-making, leaving value at risk. 72 percent of executives understand their sustainability strategies but only 19% can quantify how it will impact their future performance Four in five companies are unable to measure how sustainability affects profits, cash flow or valuation, leaving risks and opportunities largely unpriced 60 percent say they factor sustainability into financial planning but very few can translate it into EBITDA, CapEx or balance sheet impacts Sectors leading on the use of advanced valuation methodologies include banking and capital markets (33 percent), energy and natural resources (31 percent), and automotive (27 percent)  Redmond, WA (July 10, 2026) – A significant gap remains between companies’ understanding of sustainability and their ability to translate it into financial value, according to a new global KPMG study. The study, Closing the Sustainability Valuation Gap, reveals that while 72% of executives say they understand their organization’s sustainability strategy, metrics and performance, only 19% apply robust quantification approaches to measure its financial impact, highlighting a critical disconnect at the center of corporate decision-making. Surveying over 2,000 executives across 19 countries and territories, the study finds sustainability is now firmly on the boardroom...

Quebec City, QC (June 30, 2026) – With climate change continuing to raise concerns, eco-anxiety is emerging as a key mental health issue in the workplace. Announced at the inaugural summit of Québec Capitale Climat in 2025, a study has since been conducted by the Université Laval’s Research Chair in Mental Health, Self-Management and Work, powered by Beneva. Based on responses from 2,020 employees and managers, this first large-scale analysis of SMEs reveals that environmental concern is high at 59.3 out of 100, while consequences on performance remain moderate at 28.7 out of 100. This gap provides a strategic window of opportunity to mitigate the negative effects on wellbeing and performance, especially since eco-anxiety has been added to the list of mental health risk factors in the workplace. At a recent business webinar on eco-anxiety in the workplace, the same conclusion was drawn by those in attendance: better understanding the issue is a step in the right direction. In addition to the phenomenon and the main findings of the study, it covered how this paradigm shift can serve as a catalyst for mobilization, discussion and sustainable engagement within organizations. “Eco-anxiety should not be seen solely as a risk, but as a sign...

Insurance Bureau of Canada calls on governments to take immediate action on resilience Ottawa, ON (June 30, 2026) – A new report by Statistics Canada underscores a growing reality for Canadians: Extreme weather is fundamentally reshaping the country’s home insurance market, driving higher claims costs, contributing to increasing premiums and leaving too many households exposed to the risk of catastrophic damage from extreme weather. The study, “Extreme weather impacts on consumers and insurers in Canada, December 2019 to December 2025: An updated analysis,” finds that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, more severe and more costly, placing sustained pressure on Canadian insurers and homeowners alike. Among the report’s highlights: Claims costs have surged dramatically. Since 2009, insurers have paid nearly $2 billion per year on average in catastrophic weather-related claims, up sharply from about $400 million annually between 1983 and 2008. In recent years, annual insured losses have reached unprecedented levels, including $3.4 billion in 2022 and a staggering $9.4 billion in 2024. Insurance premiums have increased faster than inflation in recent years, reflecting the growing cost of rebuilding homes and the escalating frequency of catastrophic events. “Natural disasters are reshaping the home insurance landscape for Canadians from coast-to-coast,”...

System backup and wind/hail put pressure on premiums as northern Ontario cities see the highest costs Toronto, ON (June 30, 2026) – Ontario home insurance premiums climbed 6.2% year-over-year in 2026 to $2,235, driven primarily by system backup (overwhelmed sewers, sump pumps or septic tanks), wind/hail damage and rebuild costs, according to the latest Rates.ca Home Insuramap report. The report draws on Rates.ca’s proprietary quoter data to measure estimated average premiums across Ontario cities and towns. An interactive map powered by data from a leading global insurance analytics provider displays peril risk scores across five categories at the neighbourhood and individual address level across 517 Forward Sortation Areas (FSAs – the first three characters of a postal code). “The biggest drivers of home insurance premium increases in Ontario are system backup and wind and hail damage,” said David Mayer, Director of Insurance and Underwriting, Rates.ca. “Neighbourhoods where multiple risks overlap often see premiums well above the provincial average. Every homeowner — or prospective homeowner — should understand their local risks so they can make informed decisions about their coverage, mitigating risk and protecting their homes.” Key Findings Cochrane topped the list of Ontario’s most expensive cities for home insurance, at $3,322...