FSCO testing online arbitration scheduling tool for auto claims disputes

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario is conducting a testing phase of its online service to schedule pre-hearings and settlement conferences, in an effort to streamline arbitration for auto insurance claims disputes.

The Ontario government introduced a bill earlier this month aimed at making reforms to the auto insurance system in the province, which if passed would move administration of the dispute resolution system from FSCO to the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Licence Appeal Tribunal.

In the meantime, FSCO appears to be moving on with the phased implementation of Arbitration eCalendar, which it announced in January. Its aim is to make scheduling more accessible and flexible, minimize administrative costs and free up time for FSCO’s staff.

Now, the regulator has invited an insurer and a law firm to initially test the service to schedule pre-hearings and settlement conferences, update file information, report settlement on consent and check upcoming proceedings on a file. The specific insurer and law firm were not included in FSCO’s bulletin this week.

As part of the testing, companies may be contacted by the participating insurance company or law firm to book a pre-hearing or settlement discussion, or report settlement of cases on the Arbitration eCalendar system, FSCO said.

Once the testing is complete, FSCO will begin inviting other companies to register for the service. While participation will be voluntary at first, registration and participation in the service will become mandatory on a date to be announced, the regulator said.