B.C. government requires insurers to be members of General Insurance OmbudService (GIO)

The Government of B.C. has passed regulations under the Insurance Act requiring companies transacting home, auto and business insurance – with the exception of ICBC and mutual companies – to be members of the General Insurance OmbudService (GIO) The regulations come into effect July 1, 2012.
GIO has operated across Canada since 2002 in cooperation with federally ordered insurers that are required to belong to an independent complaints resolution service.
GIO provides consumers with cost-free, independent and impartial services to resolve their complaints about car, home and business insurance, applying best practices in cooperation with member companies, consumers and governments.
“GIO’s consumer service officers work hard to provide the best assistance to consumers,” added GIO executive director Brian Maltman. “The decision of the B.C. Government is a welcome endorsement of our efforts.”