Auto prices can vary based on the customer’s home address; while this has been a sore point for some consumers, the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario is urging the regulator to think carefully before changing the use postal code rating factors.
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Ontario to review postal code auto rate factor
Accidental benefits claims disputes may continue despite Ontario auto insurance reforms
The auto insurance changes announced in Ontario last week will probably not reduce disputes over accidental benefits claims, one insurance defense lawyer says. However, brokers and insurance companies mostly agree that the government’s plans are a step in the right direction.
Industry urged to offer auto insurance discounts for installing smartphone-blocking devices
Smart phone and cellphone device use behind the wheel is among the most frequent causes of collision in Canada and makes up nearly 95% of all distracted driving cases. Drivers who use smartphone blocking applications on their devices should be given a discount on their auto insurance rates, some insurance groups argue.
Canada’s new Chief Justice wrote landmark decisions against insurers
Supreme Court of Canada Justice Richard Wagner, a judge who wrote landmark rulings against Northbridge, RSA, Sovereign General and other Canadian insurers, is now Chief Justice of Canada.
Wagner will succeed Beverly McLachlin, who retires Dec. 15 after serving for 17 years as Chief Justice and 28 years on the Supreme Court of Canada.
Applicant reaches 55% WPI and is catastrophically impaired – Gavin and Coachman
Mr. Brian Gavin, an Ontario resident, was injured in an accident in the state of Georgia, U.S.A., on May 14, 2011. Mr. Gavin recalled that he was dozing in the passenger’s side when he awoke to the screaming of his friend who had lost control of the vehicle. The Jeep left the road, rolling over several times before landing on the passenger side. His friend was able to climb out of the vehicle leaving Mr. Gavin trapped in the car. Mr. Gavin testified that when the car came to rest, he found his arm bent over his head unnaturally, the seatbelt had tightened during the crash and was crushing his ribcage area, and the bones from his lower left leg were protruding from the skin. The driver was screaming, urging him to get out, as the car was about to explode. He sought accident benefits from Coachman but applied for arbitration at the FSCO when mediation failed.
Canada, it’s time to adopt a National Cycling Strategy
Recently, Canada Bikes has requested that our federal government adopt a National Cycling Strategy. Petitions have been circulated and Bill C-312, an Act to Establish a National Cycling Strategy, has already passed it first reading in the House of Commons. The act would not only facilitate the building of safe and efficient cycling infrastructure, but support national programs, standards, education and cycling training.
https://cyclingmagazine.ca/spo tlight/canada-time-adopt-natio nal-cycling-strategy/
Canadian doctors group warns about the adverse effects of medicinal marijuana
There is little to no research to support the supposed benefits of medical cannabis, and what evidence exists suggests that using marijuana as medicine may do more harm than good, family doctors’ associations across Canada are telling their members.
Medical marijuana has no health risks, WHO declares
Despite legalization of cannabis across the world, health officials were still issuing warnings about the drug and were considering making it illegal.
But after months of investigation, the WHO has concluded that that cannabidiol (CBD) does not carry any addiction risks.
http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/14/ medical-marijuana-no-health-ri sks-declares-7159041/
The Marshall Report: A Missed Opportunity
So how can the province with the highest mandatory insurance premiums in Canada leave so many accident victims untreated and destitute while insurers continue to make billions in profits? That is the avenue for investigation that Mr. Marshall should have pursued.
Resisting auto accident cash settlements in Ontario could escalate disputes: Lawyer
“It will become an all-or-nothing system in which insurers and claimants will have no choice but to take every dispute all the way to a decision, as there would be no way to compromise and settle based on a risk/reward basis.”