Topic
Legal
Accident victims group, Ontario PC critic call for reform of auto insurers’ medical assessments
March 11, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterBoth the Fair Association of Victims for Accident Reform (FAIR) and an opposition critic have taken issue with Bill 171, which proposes several changes to auto insurance regulations, by suggesting the bill does not address the issue of claims disputes…
B.C. appeal court upholds driving suspensions for those refusing to provide breath sample
March 10, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Province of British Columbia is not violating the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms when it imposes driver’s licence suspensions and other penalties on suspected drunk drivers who refuse to provide breath samples and on those whose breath sample…
Ontario Trial Lawyers Association calls for amendments to proposed auto reforms
March 10, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) is urging Ontario MPPs to push for amendments to proposed auto legislation that, among other things, would change the prejudgment interest rate in pain and suffering claims. The draft legislation would lower the rate…
Ontario NDP slams changes to auto insurance attendant care benefits
March 7, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterNew changes to the standard Ontario auto insurance policy were characterized this week as “mean spirited” by the New Democratic Party’s consumer services critic, though the Insurance Bureau of Canada suggests that one amendment that took effect Feb. 1 did…
Toronto rehab clinic ordered to pay $75,000 in fines in auto insurance fraud case
March 6, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterA Toronto clinic has been ordered to pay $75,000 in fines this week, after its principals pleaded guilty to engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance related to auto insurance fraud, the Insurance Bureau of…
GM reviewing procedures after bungling recall of 1.6 million small cars for ignition problem
March 5, 2014 Tom Krisher, THE ASSOCIATED PRESSDETROIT – The new CEO of General Motors is reassuring employees after an embarrassing recall of 1.6 million small cars, telling them that an internal review will bring improvements and prevent similar problems from occurring in the future. A letter…
Ontario government plans to move auto insurance dispute resolution system out of FSCO
March 4, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Ontario government is introducing legislation that would move administration of the current dispute resolution system for auto insurance claims from the Financial Services Commission of Ontario to the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Licence Appeal Tribunal. In an announcement…
Distracted driving now No. 1 cause of fatalities on Ontario roads
March 3, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterDistracted driving fatalities in Ontario surpassed both impaired driving-related and speed-related fatalities last year, the Ontario Provincial Police said Monday. A total of 78 people died in distracted driving-related collisions last year, above the 57 impaired driving deaths and 44…
In Summary
March 1, 2014 Albert Wallrap, Associate, Dutton Brock LLPCanada’s highest court has outlined a new summary judgment test. With the recent Hryniak decision, one may expect an increase in summary judgment motions brought and for judges to play a more expansive role. Ideally, that would mean more cases can be heard quicker and with less cost.
Resolving Dispute Resolution
March 1, 2014 Willie Handler, Consultant, Willie Handler and AssociatesThe recently completed review of Ontario’s auto dispute resolution system offers 28 recommendations, including the creation of a new tribunal to handle disputes involving the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS).
Underwriters flag emerging trends in suspicious real estate transactions: FCT
February 28, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterUnderwriters for FCT, which provides title insurance, noticed a more pronounced trend towards a greater number of suspicious real estate transactions at a lower dollar value in 2013. For both residential and commercial real estate transactions, the amount of mortgage…
Drinking and driving fatalities down 52% in B.C. after tougher law introduced
February 26, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterDrinking and driving-related deaths have decreased by 52% in the few years since British Columbia passed tougher laws, the provincial government said this week. The Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) program was launched in September 2010, in honour of four-year-old Alexa Middelaer,…