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Re “Time to speak up about car insurance” (Alan Shanoff, Jan. 12): We agree but there are a few points to note. The 2010 reforms were designed to address auto insurance abuse by those who derive income providing services to people involved in collisions. In 2009, the average cost of a medical/rehab claim in Ontario was $55,343, compared to $6,135 in Atlantic Canada and $2,776 in Alberta. It was clear the cost of a medical/rehab claim in Ontario was excessive, especially as a majority of claims were for minor sprains and strains. The 2010 reforms helped limit abuse. In 2012, the average cost of a medical/rehab claim was $26,594. Opponents of independent medical examinations (IME) have their opinion, but insurers rely on IMEs to provide fair and balanced second opinions. It’s regrettable that insurers have to resort to IMEs so frequently — a cost to the system that insurers would like to avoid. However, they’re used because of the large number of claims seeking to skirt reforms by claiming to have more serious injuries. IMEs are conducted by regulated health professionals who are members of regulated health colleges. Medical assessors are expected to attend to the interests of the injured person before all else. Colleges will impose sanctions if conduct is suspect.

RALPH PALUMBO

Vice-President, Ontario, Insurance Bureau of Canada

(The issue isn’t one of “opinion”. The reality is that genuine accident victims are constantly being assessed by biased individuals who have a vested interest in keeping costs to the insurance companies low. That’s entirely different from reducing fraud) Editor  http://www.torontosun.com/2014/01/19/letters-to-the-editor-jan-19

What other industry has to suffer the slings and arrows of political fortunes — and politicians telling them how much to charge for their product?

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/01/14/liberals-use-auto-insurance-to-promote-own-agenda

Desjardins Group has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire State Farm Canada’s property and casualty and life insurance business, as well as its mutual fund, loan and living benefits companies.

http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/desjardins-group-to-acquire-state-farm-canada/1002856288/s7vw03Wsv64srM2vx/?ref=enews_CU&utm_source=CU&utm_medium=

The system will essentially sift through data on insurance claims provided by Canadian insurance firms and third party data and look for “connections” that point to a possible fraudulent claim, said Paul Henninger, global product managing director for BAE Systems Detica. http://www.itworldcanada.com/article/ontario-auto-insurers-to-use-analytics-against-claims-fraud/88396

Letters. to the Editor, Jan. 15 Toronto SUN

Re “Ontario insurers leave catastrophically injured at risk” (Jan. 8): I seriously doubt even lawyer Alan Shanoff would disagree that the definition of catastrophic impairment must ensure that all accident victims receive the right level of care and treatment. The purpose of the CAT impairment designation in the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule ensures that seriously injured people, who will need a great deal of specialized care over the remainder of their lives and who do not have access to a lawsuit against an at-fault driver, have enough resources to address their long-term needs. In his obsessive effort to vilify insurers, Shanoff oversimplifies the issue. It is obvious insurers want their injured policyholders to get better because everyone loses when they don’t. But there are bigger issues of legal principles and costs to the system. Ultimately, Shanoff is fighting for a very generous, and no doubt highly expensive, system that will ensure the legal community makes money without any guarantee that injured motorists are provided for. From the insurers’ perspective, it is important we have a CAT definition that is clear, so that all parties understand the intent and substance of the definition. By keeping disputes and unnecessary and abusive costs to the system to a minimum, we can ensure that more resources go to providing appropriate treatment to seriously injured motorists. The government is currently reviewing all aspects of the CAT definition and we’re hopeful that this process will resolve any uncertainty.

Ralph Palumbo

Vice-President, Ontario, Insurance Bureau of Canada

(Shanoff is obsessive? Someone has to speak up for innocent accident victims. We need a fair, not a generous system. And who says the current definition of catastrophic impairment isn’t clear? The courts have worked with it for years — and with the most recent decision in the Robert Kusnierz case, it seems clear enough) Editor  http://www.torontosun.com/2012/01/13/letters-to-the-editor-jan-15

Auto insurance rates in Ontario have dropped 4.66% on average since August 2013, Ontario’s Ministry of Finance said Wednesday. http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/ontario-auto-insurance-rates-dropped-4-66-on-average-since-august-government-says/1002856583/s7vw03Wsv64srM2vx/?ref=enews_CU&utm_source=CU&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CU-EN01162014

http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=26376#.Utx8xhAo7cu

“Insurance crime is big business that siphons dollars away from our health care system, emergency services, courts and insurers and costs consumers and results in higher rates. Higher penalties are the right way to stop these criminals,” Dubin said in a press release.

http://www.citopbroker.com/news/maximum-fines-imposed-on-ontario-clinics-for-false-insurance-submissions-6208