How telematics affected this insurer’s loss ratio
June 10, 2018 by Greg MeckbachCould Canadian insurers cut auto claims costs by 15% by using telematics? Perhaps, if they could somehow import the experience of European insurers. An unnamed European insurer compared its auto insurance customers who were using telematics with its customers who…
Workers comp bars Ontario auto accident victim from suing in bizarre double-crash
June 7, 2018 by Greg MeckbachIn an auto accident claim involving back-to-back crashes, a woman who lost both her legs after being hit by a car is barred from suing the driver because the car that had carried her to the scene of the accident…
Sharing the Road
June 6, 2018 Emily Atkins, EditorWho will be in charge as autonomous vehicles and human-driven cars operate side by side on our highways?
If politicians get rid of territorial ratings, then what?
June 3, 2018 by David GambrillOntario’s political parties have all expressed a desire at some point this year to eliminate territory as a rating factor for insurance premium, but none of the parties have been clear about how they would actually do it, an insurance…
Devious ways your clients are trying to get better auto rates
May 30, 2018 by Greg MeckbachTerritorial ratings have prompted some Ontario motorists to lie about where they live on their applications in order to get a lower auto insurance rate, so brokers need to caution clients on the importance of telling the truth, a local…
Ugly trend in auto claims so far this year: OSFI data
May 30, 2018 by David GambrillFederally regulated Canadian property and casualty insurers have paid out $535 million more in auto claims during the first quarter of 2018 than they did during the same period last year, according to financial results posted by Canada’s solvency regulator.…
Judges divided on how claimants prove involvement of unknown vehicles
May 29, 2018 by Greg MeckbachThe Court of Appeal of Alberta has ruled that motorists who claim to be hit by unidentified vehicles must prove that there was “physical contact,” and produce some kind of corroborating evidence of the involvement of an unknown vehicle. The…
Winter tires cut auto insurance claims frequency: CAA
May 28, 2018 by Greg MeckbachWinter tires reduce the frequency of auto insurance claims, the head of the Canadian Automobile Association’s Ontario auto insurer suggested Wednesday. “Claims are reduced when people have winter tires on their cars, especially driving in climates like we have in…
How promises to eliminate territorial auto rates will divide urban and rural voters
May 24, 2018 by Greg MeckbachWhen Ontarians go to the polls June 7, they will likely vote for a party with at least some members who promise to put an end to territorial ratings in auto insurance. This poses a problem for the property and…
Auto fraud: a cost of doing business?
May 17, 2018 by David GambrillCanada’s property and casualty insurance industry should do much more to fight auto insurance fraud, a senior claims representative of Canada’s second largest insurer says. “It’s easy to come down on every little auto repair facility, or some of these…
Why Supreme Court ruling in car theft case offers little comfort to insurers
May 14, 2018 by Greg MeckbachLiability risk for companies having control of vehicles may be somewhat lessened with the Supreme Court of Canada’s recent ruling in Rankin (Rankin’s Garage & Sales) v. J.J., but a plaintiff injured as a result of a vehicle theft can…
Court’s response to common impaired driving defence
May 6, 2018 by Greg MeckbachThe driver of a vehicle involved in a major accident near Hamilton has not succeeded in using the “bolus” drinking defence to have her impaired driving conviction overturned. Bolus drinking is when a driver claims to have driven several drinks…