Topic
Legal
IBC commends Ontario’s move making carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in homes
November 28, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Insurance Bureau of Canada has commended the Ontario legislature for passing a bill making carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in homes throughout the province. Progressive Conservative MPP Ernie Hardeman’s private member’s bill was passed Wednesday and now requires Royal Assent…
Arbitrator rules in favour of Ontario auto claimant refusing to attend insurer’s medical examination
November 27, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterAn arbitrator with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario recently ruled against Unifund Assurance Company, which had refused to pay medical benefits to an Ontario auto claimant who refused to attend an insurer’s examination. In a ruling release Nov. 13,…
New York’s aggressive attack on texting drivers includes troopers peering in from tall SUVs
November 25, 2013 Jim Fitzgerald, THE ASSOCIATED PRESSMOUNT PLEASANT, N.Y. – Even for a state trooper, it’s not easy to spot drivers who are texting. Their smartphones are down on their laps, not at their ears. And they’re probably not moving their lips. That’s why New York…
PEI public invited to share views on proposed auto insurance changes
November 25, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Government of Prince Edward Island is proposing that the cap on court awards for pain and suffering from minor personal injuries following vehicle accidents increase from $2,500 to $7,500, aligning the province with limits elsewhere in the region. In…
Supreme Court of Canada rules against Sovereign General, upholding convictions in Quebec over commercial insurance policy
November 21, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Supreme Court of Canada ruled Thursday against The Sovereign General Insurance Company, upholding a 2008 conviction in a Montreal court of 56 counts of consenting to and/or authorizing the issuance of insurance policies by a broker that was not…
Ontario appeal court rules against ACE in dispute over lawsuit defence costs from Toronto explosion
November 18, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Court of Appeal for Ontario ruled last week against ACE INA Insurance over legal costs associated with class action lawsuits arising from an explosion at a Toronto apartment building. Court records indicate the explosion occurred July 20, 2008, in…
Auto insurance fraud lawsuits continue against Toronto medical assessment centres
November 14, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterSeveral companies and individuals involved in medical assessments and treatment of people injured in auto accidents were recently denied leave to appeal an earlier court ruling, which had denied their motion to strike out three Ontario auto insurance carriers’ claims…
More feedback requested on Ontario auto insurance dispute resolution system recommendations
November 13, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Ontario Ministry of Finance is seeking written submissions of feedback to an interim report on the auto insurance dispute resolution system delivered last Friday. J. Douglas Cunningham, former associate chief justice of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, was…
Most drivers behind laws against texting and driving, but not confident in enforcement: survey
November 12, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterAn increasing number of drivers are admitting to engaging in distracted driving behaviour, and many are behind laws prohibiting texting while behind the wheel, according to a new survey from insurer State Farm. The percentage of drivers using their smartphones…
RSA launches independent investigation after issues found with Irish claims, finance functions
November 12, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterRSA Insurance Group has hired on PwC to conduct an independent review of issues in the company’s Irish claims and finance functions. Last Friday, the company announced it had suspended RSA Insurance Ireland CEO Philip Smith, CFO Rory O’Connor and…
Ontario politicians try to put a lid on fees for providing copies of medical records
November 11, 2013 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorThe Ontario Legislature last week passed a motion calling on the government to establish regulations limiting the fees charged for medical records, which, politicians suggest, are often requested by lawyers in auto insurance lawsuits. Ontario members of provincial parliament who…
Supreme Court rulings make it easier for consumers to launch class actions: Lawyer
November 8, 2013 by Canadian UnderwriterThree recent decisions by the Supreme Court of Canada will “facilitate consumers” in bringing class action lawsuits against manufacturers alleged to have been involved in conspiracies to raise prices of products, even when those products are not directly purchased by…