Author Archives: Admin2

Ontario Automobile Insurance Dispute Resolution System Review – Request for Submissions

by Admin2

In August 2013, Ontario’s Minister of Finance Charles Sousa announced the appointment of the Honourable J. Douglas Cunningham, former Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, to conduct a review of Ontario’s automobile insurance dispute resolution system.

After receiving stakeholder submissions and consulting with stakeholders in September 2013, Mr. Cunningham delivered an interim report to the Minister of Finance on October 31, 2013, which outlined preliminary recommendations as well as a framework for possible legislation towards a new auto insurance dispute resolution system.

Written submissions regarding the (NEW) interim report can be sent on or before December 2, 2013, either by e-mail to autoinsurance@ontario.ca or by Canada Post. Stakeholder consultations on the interim report will be held in December 2013 in preparation for the final report, expected to be delivered by February 2014.

Challenges With Opinions From Treatment Providers

by Admin2

While the new expert report rules were intended to reduce reliance on hired guns, the Westerhof decision will have the unfortunate effect of forcing plaintiff’s counsel to become even more reliant on medical-legal experts out of fear that they will not be able to later secure compliant reports from the key treatment providers.

http://www.mondaq.com/canada/x/273708/Civil+Law/Challenges+With+Opinions+From+Treatment+Providers

N.B. drivers overpaid millions for insurance, say analysts

by Admin2

Insurance board begins hearings on whether premiums for automobile coverage should increase http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/n-b-drivers-overpaid-millions-for-insurance-say-analysts-1.1927954

Keep the faith…in insurance? I think not.

by Admin2

I think as a society we have lost faith in insurers.  I don’t know many people who still believe that an insurer, any insurer, will be forthcoming with benefits or reimbursement at the time of claim.

http://entwistlehealth.blogspot.ca/2013/11/keep-faithin-insurance-i-think-not.html

Catastrophic Injury Roundtable Summary

by Admin2

NEW November 6, 2013 Stakeholder Roundtable on Catastrophic Impairment Roundtable Proceedings – Final – Nov6

Read the report from the Minister of Finance regarding the CAT round table in March 2013. Stakeholder Roundtable on Catastrophic Impairment Summary of Proceedings July 2013

Reaction to the July 2013 report:

FAIR response to Stakeholder Roundtable on Catastrophic Impairment September 5 2013 http://www.omegamedical.ca/thoughts-on-the-recent-fsco-roundtable/                                Ontario Rehab Alliance Response to Round Table Summary September 2013

Quebec’s New Culture of Law How the province has moved to a revised code of civil procedure

by Admin2

In an effort to improve the efficiency of the civil justice system, the Code starts with the notion of voluntary dispute prevention and resolution methods.

http://www.claimscanada.ca/issues/article.aspx?aid=1002705101

I didn’t file a claim. Will my insurance go up anyway?

by Admin2

In addition to wondering whether your premium may increase, should the accident be reported to your insurance company, and what are the possible consequences of not doing so? http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-tips/i-didnt-file-a-claim-will-my-insurance-go-up-anyway/article15271746/

Lawyers are too expensive for most Canadians. Give more work to paralegals

by Admin2

Our justice system is in crisis. As many as 65 per cent of individuals involved in family court proceedings in Ontario do not have a lawyer. In the province’s civil courts, there are, by some estimates, more people representing themselves than parties with counsel. Increasingly, Ontarians are unable to afford lawyers’ services. This impairs meaningful access to the justice system. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/lawyers-are-too-expensive-for-most-canadians-give-more-work-to-paralegals/article15262477/#

Industry urged to take control of auto issue

by Admin2

“Adjusting the interest rates on SABS, which he said are higher than those offered by any bank” – Insurers looking to pay less interest on the overdue payments to accident victims – then stop denying the legitimate claims!!!

http://www.thompsonsnews.com/story.asp?story=1786

Industry must focus on cost management to fix Ontario auto system

by Admin2

Sharon Tennyson tells IBC Regulatory Affairs Symposium that there is hope for Ontario auto. One of the big issues plaguing the product, she said, is moral hazard. “By moral hazard, I mean making benefits available tends to attract claims. This can happen either by extra risk taking, extra use of benefits, or in some cases, even outright fraud,” she explained.

http://www.citopbroker.com/news/industry-must-focus-on-cost-management-to-fix-ontario-auto-system-5946