Automobile Insurance Reform Frequently Asked Questions

Automobile Insurance Reform Frequently Asked Questions
Automobile Insurance Reform Frequently Asked Questions
When can I expect to see changes to my insurance policy?The Minister of Finance intends to implement automobile insurance reforms in summer 2010. We’re working on ways to make sure that Ontarians understand the proposed changes before that date. The government will continue to explore further longer-term measures.
What is the government doing to ensure consumers are educated about their options when buying or renewing auto insurance? It is important to ensure that consumers are provided with an opportunity to make educated decisions when purchasing auto insurance.We’re working with the insurance industry, health care providers and consumer groups to make drivers aware of, and help them understand, the new choices that would be available to them when purchasing auto insurance.
How do these reforms benefit me if I’m injured in an automobile accident?If you’re injured in an auto accident in Ontario, you’re covered under these new proposals. No matter who’s at fault in the accident, you’ll have access to income replacement, medical and rehabilitation, and other benefits. These changes will make the application process simpler, reduce the number of assessments that you’ll have to have, and make it easier for you to gain access to your accident benefits.The results would be that more accident benefit dollars go to treating accident victims.
How do these changes help drivers who are buying insurance?The changes proposed would allow drivers to save money by choosing coverage that best meets their needs and budgets.
How much can I expect to save as a result of the reforms?It will depend on your individual driving circumstances.You would also have the ability to choose the level of medical and rehabilitation benefits, attendant care, housekeeping expenses, home maintenance expenses, caregiver expenses, death and funeral expenses, court compensation, and compensation for property damage that best meets your protection needs and budget.We have proposed a new basic level of auto insurance coverage that would allow you to opt for medical and rehabilitation benefits coverage of $50,000 and attendant care benefits coverage of $36,000 for non-catastrophic injuries.
What are some of the choices I will have when buying auto insurance?You could choose:
To buy $50,000, $100,000 or $1 million of medical and rehabilitation coverage.
To buy $36,000 or $72,000 in attendant care coverage.
To buy caregiver, housekeeping and home maintenance benefit coverage for non-catastrophic claims.
Higher income replacement coverage and higher death and funeral benefits.
To reduce the amount of the deductible associated with court awarded compensation for pain and suffering to $20,000 from $30,000.
A $500 deductible, $300 deductible or no deductible on coverage to repair the driver’s car as a result of an accident where the driver is not at-fault.
What consultations has the government held on the changes being proposed for auto insurance?The government held extensive consultations in several stages and has taken an open and transparent approach throughout.In June 2008, the Superintendent of Financial Services invited all interested parties to submit issues and concerns and suggest changes to improve Ontario’s auto insurance system. The invitation was posted on the Financial Services Commission of Ontario’s website. In March 2009, the Superintendent submitted a report to the Minister of Finance. The report has been publicly available since March.While preparing his report, the Superintendent received 90 submissions from stakeholders, including consumer groups, accident victims, numerous health care providers, insurers, insurance brokers, agents and legal professionals – as well as individual consumers. Most of these are available on the Financial Service Commission of Ontario’s website. A wide range of issues were raised in these submissions, covering nearly every aspect of auto insurance in Ontario.We continued to receive constructive feedback from insurance, health care and consumer experts following the release of the report, and over the summer we assessed what we learned. To address the complex issues raised, the Ministry of Finance worked with FSCO and stakeholders to ensure the government put forth a comprehensive package of reforms that meets the best interests of Ontario drivers.We will continue to work with our stakeholders to ensure Ontario drivers can get auto insurance that is affordable and adequately protects them.
When will the draft regulations be ready?Draft regulations are being finalized. Details will be provided as they become available.
Are you going to hold consultations on the draft regulations? How do I participate?We’ve received extensive feedback on auto insurance reforms from consumer groups, accident victims, health care providers, insurers, insurance brokers, agents and legal professionals among others. Much of this feedback was provided to FSCO during its Five-Year Automobile Insurance Review.To address complex issues raised, the Ministry of Finance worked with FSCO and stakeholders to ensure the government proposed reforms that meet the best interests of all parties.Further details will be provided as they become available.
How do I get involved with the stakeholder advisory committee?The stakeholder advisory committee will be made up of experts from various sectors of the auto insurance system, including insurers, health care providers and legal professionals. Individuals will be invited to become members of the committee and provide the government with expert advice to ensure a smooth transition for the proposed reforms. To submit questions on the automobile insurance reforms, email autoinsurance@ontario.ca

10 Days

10 Days til moving date... Office will close December 4th at Noon and re-open Monday December 7th at our New Location - 211 Dundas St. E. Belleville

Santa Claus Parade

 
 
 

Top 10 Stolen Cars

The Top Ten Stolen Vehicles are:

1. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
3. 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX/WRX STi 4-door AWD
4. 1995 Dodge/Plymouth Grand Caravan/Voyager
5. 1995 Dodge/Plymouth Caravan/Voyager
6. 2002 Acura RSX Type S 2-door
7. 2001 Audi TT Quattro Roadster
8. 1995 Acura Integra 2-door
9. 1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 2-door
10. 1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 4-door

Media Releases 2009
November 5, 2009

Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and Insurance Bureau of Canada Encourage Citizens to “Lock It or Lose It”
(Toronto, ON) – A professional can steal your vehicle in just 30 seconds – without the key. The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) are encouraging citizens to “Lock It or Lose It”. The goal of the proactive crime prevention program is to encourage drivers to take a few simple precautions that will protect their vehicles and vehicle contents from theft.

An unlocked door or an open window is an invitation to thieves. The “Lock It or Lose It” program reminds drivers to always:

Roll up their vehicles’ windows;
Keep valuables out of sight;
Lock their doors; and,
Pocket their keys.
Under the “Lock It or Lose It” program, police officers examine parked vehicles to confirm they are locked and that no valuables have been left in plain view.

“A small notice placed on every vehicle checked indicates what safety precautions were neglected and offers a few simple prevention tips, drivers can use to protect their vehicles against theft,” said OACP President Chief Daniel Parkinson (Cornwall Community Police Service). “The notice also congratulates those who have taken the time to ensure their vehicle is secure, with valuables out of sight.”

According to Richard Dubin, IBC Vice-President, Investigative Services, auto theft costs Canadians more than $1 billion every year.

“In 2008, 125,000 vehicles were stolen in Canada and, of those, nearly 31,000 were stolen in Ontario. About half of all stolen vehicles are used to commit another crime or are driven – often recklessly – for simple purposes of transportation (this is called “destination theft”), “said Dubin. “In these cases, the thieves are usually amateurs who take advantage of owner negligence by grabbing the first vehicle they can find that’s been left unsecured. In the other cases, vehicles are stolen by professional thieves involved in organized crime rings.”

Vehicles left warming up in driveways on cold mornings or outside of coffee shops, convenience stores, and ATM locations, are also vulnerable to being stolen. Criminal organizations target high-end vehicles for export. Many of thefts of vehicles and thefts of vehicle contents are easily prevented. The key to protecting your vehicle is in your hands. Keep yourself from becoming an easy target by properly securing your vehicle. Remember: Lock It or Lose It!

Thanks to the partnership and generous support of Insurance Bureau of Canada, this program, including vehicle notices, is now available to all police services in Ontario. More details about crime - proofing may be found on-line at:

www.ibc.ca/en/Insurance_Crime/Auto_Theft/

Members of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police serve their communities as the senior police leaders in municipal, regional, provincial, national, and First Nations police services across Ontario.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent nearly 95% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada.