January 25, 2018 by Jason Contant
The Office of the Superintendent of Insurance of Nova Scotia has become the first regulator in Canada to permit electronic proof of auto insurance (EPAI).
Earlier this month, the provincial superintendent of insurance, William Ngu, released a bulletin outlining the guiding principles permitting the use of EPAI. The required guidelines and principles for insurers/brokers to offer EPAI discuss privacy legislation and security protocols, as well as specifics of the new electronic format.
Deputy Superintendent of Insurance Jennifer Calder told Canadian Underwriter Thursday that EPAI is expected to mirror what’s in the pink cards right now. “This is basically enabling legislation, which is based on consent for both parties, so if an insurer wishes to offer it and an insured chooses to accept that option, they can do so,” she said. “There’s no requirement on any party.”
The Insurance Brokers Association of Nova Scotia could not be reached for comment before press time, but Calder reported that the association was “supportive and pleased with our decision.”
In Nova Scotia, the Electronic Commerce Act allows for any documents to be transmitted in electronic format, provided there is a consent between the involved parties. The required guidelines and principles for insurers/brokers to offer EPAI include the following:
Nova Scotia’s decision comes as the Centre for Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO) makes final preparations to launch its industry-wide eDelivery solution. CSIO’s solution, developed in collaboration with brokers and insurers, will enable members to send eSlips and digital policy documents for personal and commercial lines to consumers. The eDelivery solution meets the required guidelines and principles outlined in the bulletin.
Commissioned by CSIO, law firm Fasken Martineau LLP prepared an eSlips Advisory Report in the fall of 2015, which said that provincial regulators have the authority to approve EPAI by issuing a bulletin. “Nova Scotia was participating in that working group at the time, and we decided that outlining the guiding principles for insurers and brokers to offer the electronic proof was an appropriate way to go,” Calder said.
“Consumer desire for eSlips is widespread, so this recent bulletin from Nova Scotia is what many brokers and carriers have been waiting for,” added CSIO president and CEO Catherine Smola in a statement. “We look forward to similar announcements from other provincial regulators.”
E pink slips and e policy documents for personal and commercial lines are ideale solution to help green environment and reduces paper and ink and cost of doing business with the public.
Great solution
Agree, good to see the provincial regulator being proactive. Lets see more of this from Club Fed (OSFI). What does this org do anyway?