Toronto Fraud Forum: Taking a Stand
November 1, 2002 Vikki SpencerLife under Ontario’s current no-fault accident benefits system is no picnic for insurance adjusters and claims investigators. A system originally intended to curb fraud has in fact exacerbated the situation and insurers are fighting an uphill battle against a rising tide of fraudulent claims. At the recent Toronto Fraud Forum, the Ontario system was put under the microscope with the conclusion that insurers need to step up the heat against fraud.
Collision repair standards pass second reading
October 21, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterThe controversial act to certify Ontario’s bodyshops has passed second reading at Queen’s Park. The Collision Repair Standards Act 2002 will now go to the committee stage for hearings and then to third and final reading.Some insurers have been against…
On The Move (October 01, 2002)
October 1, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterLorie J. Guthrie Phair has been named president and CEO of brokerage Hargraft Schofield Inc. based in Toronto. Guthrie Phair operated her own family brokerage for 20 years, is a past president of RIBO and past president of the IBTR.…
Ontario Proposed Standards for Auto Repair: A Fair Deal?
October 1, 2002 Alex Szabo, president of the Collision Industry Standards CounciRecent private-member legislation put forward in Ontario under Bill-165 with regard to implementing minimum quality standards for auto collision repair shops appears to have come under fire from auto insurers. There seems to be concern that such standards will eliminate “direct repair programs”, or “DRPs” that currently exist between insurers and their vendors. The auto repair shop organizations supporting the standards legislation and ultimately improved protection of the consumer believe that these concerns are unjustified.
Fire in the Hole (October 01, 2002)
October 1, 2002 Sean van Zyl, EditorPersonal auto insurance – specifically the losses and subsequent pricing actions taken within the private sector markets has become a political “hot potato” almost countrywide. Brokers and consumer groups from the east coast through to the west are beginning to…
Insurers encouraged by Ontario auto reform movement
October 1, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterOntario auto insurers say that, in general, they support the provincial government’s proposal for insurance product reform. The industry, represented by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), appeared before the government’s Auto Insurance Review Committee (AIRC). The AIRC, which was…
CIAG concerned with OEM provisions in draft Ontario bill
September 27, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterA group representing collision repair shops is concerned by provisions of the draft proposals set out by Ontario’s Auto Insurance Review Committee. Those provisions relate to insurers’ ability to use non-OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts when repairing vehicles.The proposal reads,…
Industry and government groups support ban on rebuilt airbags
August 29, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Collision Industry Action Group (CIAG) is applauding a decision by one government body to recommend a ban on rebuilt air bags. Following spring meetings with industry groups, the federal/provincial Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) announced it would…
Markham General fallout continues
August 22, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterFollowing the wind-up of Ontario-based Markham General, bodyshops are reporting that previously filed claims are not being paid. This follows a Toronto Star report early this week that stated cheques issued by the failed insurer are bouncing.The Collision Industry Action…
Auto Product Reform: Plugging Bi Losses
August 1, 2002 Sean van ZylAfter a year and a half since the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) began a nationwide political lobby campaign for auto insurance product reform, there appears to be a few cracks developing in the resistive walls of provincial government bureaucracy.…
A Total Loss
August 1, 2002 Paul Timoteo, president of 43r.caWhen it comes to total loss auto claims, many insurers pay the actual purchase price for replacement which could result in some serious money being “left on the table”. What do insurers do when they have a total loss claim?…
Ontario auto collision standards set to go
August 1, 2002 by Canadian UnderwriterA bill introduced in Ontario’s legislature to create a standard for the collision repair industry is receiving support from the association representing the province’s car dealers. In a press release, the Ontario Automobile Dealers Association (OADA), says the Collision Repair…