Military help in Pikangikum First Nation being ‘drawn down’ as wildfire slows
June 5, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSPIKANGIKUM, Ont. – The Canadian Armed Forces says military help is being “drawn down” in a remote northwestern Ontario First Nation as a wildfire that triggered the evacuation of vulnerable residents slows its spread. Second Lt. Christopher Dube says in…
Making auto reform happen
May 16, 2019 by Adam MalikInsurance reform is long overdue, says the head of a medical evaluation company. Don Kunkel, president of Ontario-based AssessMed, which operates in eight provinces, says previous efforts to reform auto insurance have produced results that have been less than desired.…
What auto insurance brokers should keep in mind if cash settlements are banned
May 3, 2019 by Greg MeckbachBrokers need to understand both the upside and downside to a “care not cash” clause in an accident benefits policy so clients can choose an option that fits their needs, says an Ontario auto insurance expert. The Ontario government is…
Ontario’s ‘most encouraging statement about auto insurance’ in 35 years
April 30, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe recent Ontario budget document is giving some insurers hope that the government will actually fix the province’s auto insurance system. “Many people have said that the comprehensive package contained in the budget is frankly the most encouraging statement about…
Auto ‘very difficult policy to understand,’ says broker-turned-parliamentarian
April 23, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe Ontario government wants to make the auto claims process easier to navigate and less cumbersome, a politician who used to be a broker told the legislature last week. “Today when someone has an accident, they are assigned an adjuster,”…
How Ontario government plans to work with industry on auto reform
April 18, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe Ontario government plans to work with the industry on implementing a number of changes to auto insurance, including doubling accident benefits coverage for catastrophic impairment. In its 2019-20 budget document tabled Apr. 11, the government said motorists “should have…
What your auto client may like about Ontario budget
April 15, 2019 by Greg MeckbachSome Ontario motorists would like an auto insurance system that lets carriers offer lower rates to clients who use the carriers’ preferred collision repair or healthcare facilities, an Insurance Bureau of Canada official suggests. In its budget document tabled April…
What the Ontario budget says about auto insurance
April 12, 2019 by Greg MeckbachCredit scores could soon be used as one factor in determining Ontario auto rates, and the province plans to double coverage for catastrophic impairment, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli suggested in the budget document tabled Thursday. “Drivers should have the choice…
How this province is handling autonomous vehicle testing
February 21, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe Ontario government wants to expand testing of autonomous vehicles in the province. “Our government is taking active steps to open the door for expanded testing related to connected and autonomous vehicles in Ontario,” Michael Parsa, parliamentary assistant to the…
Cyber risk concerns behind this consumer protection law
December 11, 2018 by Greg MeckbachIdentity theft risk increases when banks release customer information to government agencies doing research, an Ontario politician suggests. “The more information flows around, the more likely there is to be a hacking. It’s just like the more you are driving…
Legislature defeats bill quashing territorial ratings in Toronto area
November 5, 2018 by Greg MeckbachIf you have clients living in Brampton or near the intersection of Jane St. and Finch Ave., they will probably continue paying more for auto insurance than if they lived elsewhere in the Greater Toronto Area. A bill proposing to…
Mandatory building fire risk labels proposed
October 7, 2018 by Greg MeckbachFire safety can be impacted if a building is made from lightweight, prefabricated material, and legislation under debate would mandate placards for certain construction types in Ontario. “Truss and lightweight construction, when exposed to fire, can pose serious risks to responding firefighters,” Randy…