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Posts Categorized: homeowner’s insurance

Toronto Dog Attack: Motion to Dismiss Denied

The Issue: In Ontario, dog owners have responsibility to manage their dogs in public and to ensure the safety of other people, primarily by leashing and controlling their dogs while outdoors. There is legislation, called the Dog Owners’ Liability Act which imposes statutory responsibilities against owners.

Why This Matters

Dog owners should have a homeowner’s insurance policy which protects them if their dog bites or attacks someone or, inadvertently while playing with another dog, causes injury or frightens another person.

 

This Case Situation

In the case of Elbaum v.Continue Reading

Toronto House Destroyed by Fire: Denial Based on Contract Wording

Interesting case where the fight was over a $345,000 replacement cost provision within theresidential / homeowner’s insurance policy: Willoughby v. Pilot Insurance Company, 2014 ONSC 95 (CanLII)

There was no fight over the cause of the fire (i.e. fraud was not alleged) nor whether there was valid coverage available. Instead, the plaintiff homeowners decided to buy another home instead of building a new structure on their existing, fire-damaged lot.

It’s curious as to why this fight arose, particularly since the fire happened about 4.5 years before this summary judgment motion was heard.… Continue Reading

Chinese News Newspaper – Oil dump damages to home soar to $44,000

Our thanks to the Chinese News Group and Eric Emin Wood for allowing us to participate in their recent article (found online here) Oil dump damages to home soar to $44,000.

A PDF version of the article is found here.

Gregory Chang
Toronto Insurance Lawyer… Continue Reading

Chinese News Newspaper – Car, Home and Life Insurance

Our thanks to the Chinese News Group and Eric Emin Wood for allowing us to participate in their recent article (found online here) concerning a primer for their reader on some differences between car, home and life insurance.

A PDF version of the article is found here.

Gregory Chang
Toronto Insurance Lawyer… Continue Reading

Mystery Heating Oil Dumped into Residence > Insurance Claim Denied

Our thanks to the Chinese News Group and Nancy Jin for allowing us to participate in their recent article

The text of that article is re-printed here:

Should home insurance deny her claim?

 

By Nancy Jin, Reporter

To expect the unexpected, we purchased home insurance that serves to protect our property from fire or theft. However, there are certain events that nobody seems able to prepare for.

Some insurance claims could result from bizarre events that seem very unlikely to happen: A ram head butted a policyholder and knocked out one of his teeth; a homeowner was shocked to find that cows had invaded his garden and climbed into his pool; A policyholder accidentally burned several hundred dollars of cash he had left in an envelope; a chocolate fountain exploded leaving the carpet with molten brown stains.… Continue Reading

Home Buyers Take Note > Coverage for Home Builders > Duty to Defend and Insurance Policies

When buying a new home, you probably assume that if there is any terribly wrong with your new home, that you can sue the builder and that this builder will have an insurance policy to back them up.

That is, you probably do not expect that you will be chasing only the builder’s assets, which may not be substantial.

So, for example, if you purchase a new home which later shows “significant water damage caused rot, infestation and deterioration”, then when you sue, will there be an insurance policy protecting the builder and thereby responding to your lawsuit?… Continue Reading