This decision may force automobile insurance companies to insure clients who cause an accident while driving with a lapsed driver’s licence.
http://www.ilstv.com/no-licence-no-problem-insurer-must-defend-driver-without-a-licence/
Latest News Articles
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FSCO inviting insurers, law firms to register for new dispute resolution portal
The Financial Services Commission of Ontario has announced that the registration for access to its new dispute resolution services portal is now available for insurance companies and law firms.
Telematics Nightmare Scenario: Litigation
The information gathered by Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) systems like OnStar and Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) plug-ins can be used as prime evidence in a number of litigation scenarios ranging from vehicle accidents to divorce proceedings, and even in contested child custody issues. For the purposes of this article, the potential costs solely of collecting this data and answering subpoenas for these three areas of legal exposure alone are taken into account. However, other potentially costly types of cases with significant litigation risk also exist.
http://www.insurancetech.com/regulation/telematics-nightmare-scenario-litigation/240168405
Ontario Psychological Association responds to FSCO 2014 Statement of Priorities
In recent years, however, efforts to reduce insurance premiums have created significant barriers to access No‐Fault benefits for Ontarians whose injuries take the form of mental disorders. While mental disorders create significant disability, they are often “invisible”. All too frequently, their victims experience discrimination and denial of their claims. Where claims are accepted, mental disorders are usually quickly dismissed as being “minor injuries” simply because the seriousness of the injury is not always visible. This is even more problematic due to the documented inadequacy of publicly-funded services.
Freedom Of Information request reveals …….
On February 27, 2014 I requested information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the Social Security Tribunal appeal statistics.
9027 Income Security Appeals are waiting to be heard (these are CPP appeals)
The SST heard 21 CPP appeals in 2013 and 155 appeals in 2014 in the General Division.
The SST heard 38 CPP appeals in 2013 and 40 appeals in 2014 in the Appeals Division.
As of February 2014 a total of 2,802 appeals were received at the Income Security Division of the SST which includes CPP and OAS appeals.
There are 292 Income Security Appeals waiting to be heard at the Appeal Division of the SST.
67 Appeals were heard in person, 82 appeals were by teleconference, 26 were by videoconference, 3 were by way of question and answers.
There were 592 appeals allowed and 134 appeals dismissed at the General Division (interesting because the SST only heard 176 appeals so most of these were CPP driven). http://www.dcac.ca/blog/?page=1
Next steps in auto insurance: What action will our MPPs take to increase access to justice for accident victims?
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.
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.