Ebola risk is not limited to health insurance
Although there is still an extremely low risk of widespread growth in Ebola cases in the west the current outbreak has given rise to discussion regarding the management of disease and how it could affect businesses. If a member of staff was to contract the disease there would be a number of concerns; did they contract it while on company business and if so did the business do everything possible to advise on and avoid the risk to the employee; did they come into contact with other staff members or become ill while in company premises; how will their absence from the business affect operations. These questions are just a starting point and there are many more including the negative effect on business from publicity that would surround the case and how the business would operate if premises were quarantined for example. Businesses should check all relevant insurance policies to ensure they are adequate for their needs in this respect.
Climate change and food shortages facing emerging nations
Climate change and food insecurity is facing is increasing the political and civil unrest in 32 countries including emerging economies. The annual Climate Change and Environmental Risk Atlas released by global risk analytics company Maplecroft reveals that Bangladesh is most at risk but India and Myanmar also both feature in the high risk category. The report highlights that the most at risk countries generally share a dependence on agriculture. The UN is predicting that crops such as rice and wheat are at threat of large decline in the coming years.
Auto insurance fraud investigation in Canada
The Insurance Bureau of Canada is working with police investigating an alleged fraud involving an auto repair facility that is accused of issuing fake insurance certificates to often high-risk motorists in return for ‘premiums’ that were often collected at a local coffee shop. The IBC says that in an apparent effort to keep the false policies from coming to light, in some cases vehicle collision damage was reportedly repaired at the accused’s garage. However personal injury claims and third party claims were left with no valid recourse.
