Author Archives: Admin2

Re “Ensuring insurance is a fair deal” (Christina Blizzard, Jan. 15): It isn’t just about what we are paying for auto insurance, it’s what we get when we have to access benefits like treatment, rehab, income replacement, and attendant care if we need it. Why should consumers have to take an insurer to court to get what they need when they’ve paid for coverage? Along the way victims are subjected to invasive, sometimes useless medical examinations by their insurer. There is virtually no oversight of this process — the CPSO won’t tell the public any details about complaints regarding these assessors and yet the public is legislated to attend these examinations. Accident victims endure a lot more than a few “slings and arrows” — our legislators need to pay attention to this industry. Drivers pay for coverage, not abuse. Motor vehicle accident victims “feel something akin to understanding” alright — we feel ripped off and understand that our government is letting it happen.

Rhona DesRoches

FAIR Association of Victims for Accident Insurance Reform

(There are two kinds of fraud in the auto insurance industry — fraud by con artists who try to bilk the insurers and fraud by insurers who refuse to honour valid claims)

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/01/20/letters-to-the-editor-jan-21-2

On January 16, 2104 the IBC placed advertising in many or Ontario’s major newspapers in respect to who sets the rates for Ontario’s drivers. In an ad entitled “Who is the Regulator and what has he done?” the Insurance Bureau of Canada asks and answers the question “Ever wondered who decides what you pay for auto insurance? Ontario’s government-appointed regulator sets those rates.” http://www.fairassociation.ca/?attachment_id=3005

Here’s what Ontario’s regulators say:

FSCO’s Rate Approval Process : “Insurers must submit proposed changes to their rates to FSCO for approval along with supporting actuarial data. FSCO and its actuaries review this data and insurers’ assumptions regarding claims costs, expenses and investment income to ensure that, as required by law, the proposed rates are: just and reasonable, not excessive, and not going to impair a company’s long-term financial solvency. As a result of FSCO’s review, an insurance company may be required to amend its proposed rates before the rates are approved.” https://www.fsco.gov.on.ca/en/auto/rates/Pages/q4-2013.aspx

So why are we being told two versions? Why shouldn’t Ontario’s insurers take responsibility for the abysmal coverage we now have and the highest premium rates in North America? Who is driving up the costs here with expensive advertising – costs which are reflected in our premiums – money that could pay for the treatment that is denied to more than half of Ontario’s accident victims every year.

Have your voice heard – Those who do not wish to make an oral presentation but who wish to comment on the issue may send a written submission to the Clerk of the Committee at the address below by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2014.

http://www.ontla.on.ca/committee-proceedings/committee-hearings-notices/files_html/Pre-budget%20EN.htm