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.
Author Archives: Admin2
Ontario auto insurers to use analytics against claims fraud
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
Clear definition
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
Ontario auto insurance rates dropped 4.66% on average since August, government says
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
Provincial News: NDP to Ontarians: Are you seeing the results you need?
“Today marks the beginning of the Finance Committee’s Pre-Budget Consultation tour. The tour, which will stop in 8 different Ontario cities, will give Ontarians a chance to voice their opinions about the coming provincial budget.”
http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=26376#.Utx8xhAo7cu
Maximum fines imposed on Ontario clinics for false insurance submissions
Three Ontario rehabilitation clinics convicted in auto insurance fraud cases
Three Toronto-area rehabilitation clinics have been convicted of several offences, resulting in maximum fines of $100,000 per conviction, the Insurance Bureau of Canada said Tuesday. http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/three-ontario-rehabilitation-clinics-convicted-in-auto-insurance-fraud-cases/1002853624/
1. McCowan Rehabilitation Clinic
2. Physiotherapy Clinic
3. North York Health and Rehabilitation
Time to speak up about car insurance
“Submissions to the Superintendent can be made up to Mar. 31. The usual stakeholders will make their wishes known but now is the time for ordinary people to stand up and make their voices heard. If you have been in a car accident and don’t like how you’ve been treated by your insurance company, or if you feel you have been the subject of an injustice, now is the time to speak up.”
http://www.torontosun.com/2014/01/11/time-to-speak-up-about-car-insurance
Am I living in a Dictatorship? Ontario Government changes how YOUR no fault car insurance works..yet again!
Without any consultation, communication, notice or debate, your very own Ontario Government has changed how the laws surrounding no fault accident benefits work yet again! No formal announcment was made. Simply a release of the legislation.