New Brunswick Opposition Liberals call for public insurance

Opposition Liberals in New Brunswick have called for a public insurance system, criticizing rate increases for owners of recreational vehicles, Canadian Press (CP) has reported.
According to CP, Insurance Critic Denis Landry says some people with motorcycles, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles have seen their rates increase by as much as 233% this year. Landry is reported as saying the situation would be different if the province had a public insurance system.
“Landry says recreation vehicle owners are contributing to record profits for insurance companies, and he wants the New Brunswick Insurance Board to investigate,” CP reported.
“Don Forgeron, Atlantic vice-president of the Insurance Bureau of Canada says rising claim costs are to blame for the increasing rates, and a public insurance system such as the one in Quebec would be no better,” according to CP’s report. Forgeron is paraphrased as saying motorcycle insurance rates in Quebec’s public system are projected to rise by over 420% by the end of 2008.