On June 3, 2014, we saw the election debate between the three major party leaders. While a number of issues were addressed, including scandal, the deficit, and job creation, auto insurance reform was not one of them. It is unfortunate that the topic did not attract more attention from the candidates as the issue will affect most Ontarians.
Author Archives: Admin2
Re-introduction of Bill 171 amendments would limit access to justice for accident victims
As previously discussed on this blog, the Ontario Liberals tabled Bill 171, “Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act”, on March 4, 2014. This Bill proposed a number of amendments to the Insurance Act, the Repair and Storage Liens Act, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario Act, the Licence Appeal Tribunal Act, and the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Act. Bill 171 was intended to make significant changes to the way in which all Ontarians can seek justice when their insurance company wrongfully denies benefits.
Bill S-4: will it fuel UBI privacy concerns?
The office of Canada’s privacy commissioner is urging Ottawa to change its digital privacy bill, amid concerns it will open the door to private companies swapping personal information without any consent or notification – a concern many drivers have about sharing their driving data through usage based insurance.
http://www.insurancebusiness.ca/news/bill-s4-will-it-fuel-ubi-privacy-concerns-178232.aspx
80 per cent of Canadians ‘unfamiliar’ with UBI – whose fault is that?
The vast majority of drivers on Canadian roads are unfamiliar with usage-based insurance, according to a recent Kanetix study – and that may be fuelling the reluctance by some to embrace a telematics solution.
FSCO issues two consumer warnings of unlicensed insurance activity
The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has issued two separate warnings related to unlicensed insurance activity in the province.
Corruption in Canada
The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Canada among the top tenth least corrupt countries in the world.[1] However, in recent years, corruption is increasingly a major issue in government, industry and non-governmental organizations. For instance, in 2013, 117 of the 250 companies blacklisted byWorld Bank “from bidding on its global projects under its fraud and corruption policy” are from Canada.[2] Canada ranks at the bottom of the bribery-fighting rankings, “with little or no enforcement of anti-bribery measures”.[3] While Canada consistently ranks high in relative international indexes, “a large proportion of Canadians see their politicians and their institutions as fundamentally corrupt.[4]
Personal Injury Law: Cost proportionality not always kind to injured plaintiffs
When it comes to legal costs, the proportionality concept is a welcome feature in civil litigation but it can serve to penalize personal injury plaintiffs with modest claims.
“Personal injury litigation is extremely expensive. Even the simplest case is expensive to properly present at trial.
With recent court decisions challenging the admissibility of treatment reports that don’t formally comply with the rules for expert reports, disbursement costs have increased drastically.”
With recent court decisions challenging the admissibility of treatment reports that don’t formally comply with the rules for expert reports, disbursement costs have increased drastically.”
Lawyers divided on WSIB stress-claim ruling
In a decision that has divided employment lawyers, a Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal panel has found chronic workplace-related stress could be a valid claim under the province’s workplace insurance system.
Some lawyers say the decision that found provisions restricting claims for work-related stress were unconstitutional may encourage people who are simply stressed out at work to pursue compensation.
Assessment adjustment
Decision allowing evaluations by non-health specialists might not be as good as it sounds
http://www.lawyersweekly.ca/index.php?section=article&articleid=2159