A task force established by Atlantic Canada’s premiers has come out against implementing public auto insurance in the region. The “Atlantic Insurance Harmonization Task Force” found “no significant reason to transform the private enterprise delivery system to a government monopoly…
Broker consolidator Hub International has added two US brokerages to its stable. Boston-based Commonwealth Insurance Agency Inc. will become part of New England “hub” C.J. McCarthy, bringing about US$300,000 in annual revenue. The brokerage specializes in homeowners coverage in Massachusetts,…
Kingsway Financial Services Inc. (TSX: KFS) has disclosed an adverse reserve development totaling $30 million for prior year claims leading up to the end of 2002. The adverse reserve development resulted from the insurer’s Alberta non-standard auto insurance business, as…
The Ontario Kinesiology Association (OKA) is speaking out against regulations in support of Ontario’s Bill-198 which they say will preclude their members from working on auto accident claims.The regulations, which come into force on October 2, are worded such that…
While pushing for limits on auto insurance rates in Nova Scotia, a new report also suggest the public needs to become more educated about how to shop for insurance.The provincial government’s “consumer advocate”, George Jordan, released his final report following…
Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), the provincial government auto insurance program, says it will offer loans to drivers to purchase anti-theft devices.The loans will apply to aftermarket vehicle immobilizers meeting the Canadian standard for theft deterrence, which generally cost $240-$400. Drivers…
Both homeowners’ and auto insurance premiums are on the rise in the U.S., says the Insurance Information Institute (III). The III says that rising construction costs and natural disaster losses are pushing homeowners’ rates up, with an 8% increase expected…
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and the Consumers’ Association of Canada (CAC) are engaging in a war of words over the cost of auto insurance, following the release of a study by the CAC suggesting rates in Ontario are…
As Ontario heads into an early October election, auto insurance stands to be a key issue on the campaign trail. An early volley was thrown with the release of a study by The Fraser Institute, a conservative public policy organization…
Proposals by the Newfoundland government to change that province’s auto insurance system are the cause of Federation Insurance Co. of Canada’s decision to stop writing personal lines in that province, the company says.In a media release, the company says it…
As expected, the Ontario government has formally proposed additional changes to the auto insurance system on the heels of implementation of Bill-198.Premier Ernie Eves today announced the program which includes a reduction in the premium tax from 3% to 2%,…
Additional auto insurance reforms, coming on the heels of those contained in Bill-198, are being welcomed with open arms by Ontario insurers.The reforms include several measures insurers have long been pushing for in the province, including a reduction in the…