December 15, 2010
New insurance carrier is good news for industry says committee chair
Horticulture Review recently sat down with CNLA’s insurance committee chair Gerald Boot to discuss some of the changes taking place with the HortProtect insurance program.
Boot also serves on the Landscape Ontario Board of Directors and is a past president of Landscape Ontario. His involvement with LO goes all the way back to 1983.
“The changeover is a good thing for our industry,” says Boot. “I just made the switch and saved 20 per cent on my previous insurance rates.” Boot’s Landscaping and Maintenance serves Toronto and surrounding areas.
In mid-fall, Marsh Canada was appointed as the exclusive insurance and risk management broker for the HortProtect Property and Casualty Insurance Program.
Toronto-based brokerage firm Sinclair Cockburn and Lombard were the previous brokers under the HortProtect program. Marsh refers to itself as the world’s leading insurance broker and risk adviser, with over 23,000 employees and clients in over 100 countries.
“It was easy to make the change,” says Boot. “We (the insurance committee) gave the previous carrier all kinds of opportunity and they failed.” He went on to say that the change in carriers is an opportunity to make association businesses stronger.
“The two big areas for our industry are vehicle accidents and slip and falls,” explains Boot. Significant coverage restriction began back in July, removing liability coverage for snow removal operations along with double-digit rate increases to all members. The insurance committee immediately began to seek alternative solutions.
To contact Marsh Canada, use the toll free telephone number at 1-888-949-4360, or email cnla.hortprotect@marsh.com, or Joel Beatson CLP, CAE at 1-888-446-3499, ext. 8620, or www.canadanursery.com.
Boot also serves on the Landscape Ontario Board of Directors and is a past president of Landscape Ontario. His involvement with LO goes all the way back to 1983.
“The changeover is a good thing for our industry,” says Boot. “I just made the switch and saved 20 per cent on my previous insurance rates.” Boot’s Landscaping and Maintenance serves Toronto and surrounding areas.
In mid-fall, Marsh Canada was appointed as the exclusive insurance and risk management broker for the HortProtect Property and Casualty Insurance Program.
Toronto-based brokerage firm Sinclair Cockburn and Lombard were the previous brokers under the HortProtect program. Marsh refers to itself as the world’s leading insurance broker and risk adviser, with over 23,000 employees and clients in over 100 countries.
“It was easy to make the change,” says Boot. “We (the insurance committee) gave the previous carrier all kinds of opportunity and they failed.” He went on to say that the change in carriers is an opportunity to make association businesses stronger.
“The two big areas for our industry are vehicle accidents and slip and falls,” explains Boot. Significant coverage restriction began back in July, removing liability coverage for snow removal operations along with double-digit rate increases to all members. The insurance committee immediately began to seek alternative solutions.
New Risk Management Council
A subcommittee of the CNLA insurance committee has been created. The mandate of the new Risk Management Council is to install a sustainable risk control program for all sectors of the landscape and horticulture industries. Currently, the Council is addressing snow and ice insurance risks. It is expected a new winter maintenance standard form contract will soon be available. The Council is also working with its broker, insurance company and industry members to assess risks, educate members and develop a strategy for efficiently and economically resolving claims.To contact Marsh Canada, use the toll free telephone number at 1-888-949-4360, or email cnla.hortprotect@marsh.com, or Joel Beatson CLP, CAE at 1-888-446-3499, ext. 8620, or www.canadanursery.com.