Topic
Legal
AMF seeks consultation on regulating sale of insurance online
February 27, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Autorité des marches financiers (AMF) has launched a consultation paper on the regulation of the sale of insurance products through the Internet. “Some industry participants see the current framework as restricting online transactions, whereas others view it as more…
Manitoba police have handed out 500 traffic violations in 2012 involving driving while using cell phones and texting
February 27, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterPolice in Manitoba have handed out more than 500 handheld, cell phone or texting traffic violations throughout the province thus far in 2012. Even so, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) cites a recent survey showing that even though drivers have been…
FSCO reserves decision on awarding costs against paralegal pursuing an AB arbitration on behalf of his deceased client
February 24, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterA Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) arbitrator in an accident benefits case has reserved a final decision on whether to award costs against a paralegal who brought an application for arbitration on behalf of his client — apparently without…
Toronto police arrest 37 people and lay 130 charges following insurance fraud ring investigation
February 23, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterToronto Police have arrested 37 people and laid 130 charges in connection with Project Whiplash, an investigation into an alleged insurance fraud ring that resulted in insurance payouts totaling $4 million. Police say the ring featured staged auto collisions, false…
FSCO arbitrator holds firm to 60-day timeframe for mediation
February 21, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has released an arbitration decision that follows in the footsteps of the Ontario Superior Court, finding that a 60-day mediation timeframe is firm, despite a backlog of cases. In Nicholas Leone and State…
New Brunswick union pushes for public insurance
February 21, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe New Brunswick Union of Public and Private employees believes public auto insurance is one way to address the province’s budget woes. The union represents 8,500 workers in the public, private and manufacturing sectors. In a statement online, the union…
Frank Cowan Company launches program for health care organizations and professionals
February 21, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterFrank Cowan Company, a provider of Canadian municipal, health care, education and community service insurance solutions, has introduced a new insurance program for health care organizations and professionals called Health & Wellness. “We understand that a one-size-fits-all policy is of…
B.C. Coroner study draws links between seat belt use and fatal crashes
February 17, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe B.C. Coroners Service has just completed a detailed study of fatal motor vehicle crashes in the Interior of the province, which shows a high proportion of those who died were not wearing seatbelts. “Although numerous studies by the RCMP…
ICBC should not have offered biometrics technology to help police ID Vancouver Stanley Cup rioters: B.C. privacy commissioner
February 17, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterB.C.’s privacy commissioner says the Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC) should not have offered up its facial recognition technology last year to help police identify participants in the June 2011 Stanley Cup riots. “With respect to ICBC’s offer to assist…
Toronto, Niagara police lay 500 charges in connection with investigation of alleged chop shop operation
February 16, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterToronto and Niagara Regional Police have laid more than 500 charges against five men in connection with an investigation of an alleged chop shop operation. The charges follow a joint forces investigation first launched in 2009 involving the Toronto Police…
Claims of inadequate signage against ministry of transportation fall outside of limitation period
February 14, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Ontario Superior Court of Justice has denied a motion to have the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) added as a defendant in a case in which the defendant claims a highway had insufficient signage, resulting in an accident.…
Ontario court rules that 60-day mediation timeframe is firm, despite case backlogs
February 10, 2012 by Canadian UnderwriterDespite a serious mediation case backlog in Ontario, claimants may nonetheless proceed with legal actions against insurers if mediations are not completed within 60 days of an application for mediation being filed with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO),…