Insurer prevails where vehicle driven without owner’s consent
November 22, 2018 by Greg MeckbachAlberta Motor Association Insurance Company does not have to pay a claimant who was injured while riding in a vehicle driven without the owner’s consent. The Supreme Court of Canada announced Thursday it will not hear an appeal from Ashley…
Oil spill off Newfoundland shore can’t be cleaned up
November 22, 2018 Holly McKenzie-Sutter - THE CANADIAN PRESSJOHN’S, N.L. It’s now impossible to clean up Newfoundland’s largest-ever oil spill that leaked into the ocean last week, according to the regulatory board that oversees the province’s offshore activities. The 250,000-litre spill happened on Friday morning while Husky Energy’s…
Political battle over public v. private ride-sharing insurance in B.C.
November 21, 2018 by Jason ContantThe Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is prepared to offer a blanket, usage-based insurance product, likely by next fall, if proposed legislation on ride-hailing passes before Christmas, as anticipated by the Premier, according to published reports. However, the leader…
Why this simple collision claim needed multiple forensic reports
November 21, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA motorist who was successfully sued for rear-ending a vehicle on an icy road has to reimburse the plaintiff $23,000 for forensic engineering reports. Margaret Ozimkowski was driving home from work Jan. 23, 2012 after dusk in freezing rain. She was…
Limo service sued over collision that killed 20
November 20, 2018 THE ASSOCIATED PRESSALBANY, N.Y. – The operators of a limousine that crashed and killed 20 people in upstate New York were grossly negligent in putting the “dangerous and defective” vehicle on the road, according to a lawsuit filed Monday by one of…
Ontario government promises auto rate review
November 18, 2018 by Greg MeckbachThe Ontario government announced Thursday it plans to “review how auto insurance rates are regulated” and confirmed the government will still run the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund. A review of rate regulation will be done “jointly with the Financial…
Priority dispute can proceed in mechanic test-drive case
November 15, 2018 by Greg MeckbachCanada’s highest court announced Thursday it will not hear a dispute arising from a vehicle repairman who got hurt while test-driving a customer’s car. The dispute is over a provision in Ontario Regulation 283/95 that sets out rules for auto…
Insurers weigh in on how automated vehicles should be covered
November 15, 2018 by Jason ContantThe Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has recommended a single insurance policy to cover driver negligence and automated technology to facilitate liability claims associated with autonomous vehicles. “The automated vehicle’s insurer would compensate injured people if the automated vehicle caused…
Company calls for tow truck operator training standards
November 14, 2018 by Greg MeckbachTow truck drivers should not be allowed to hook up and haul vehicles damaged in collisions without some sort of certification above and beyond a driver’s licence, says CAA South Central Ontario. “If you have a Class G driver’s licence,…
Is seven months too long to wait for car repairs?
November 14, 2018 by Jason ContantA B.C. small claims tribunal has dismissed a driver’s claim that his repair shop negligently misrepresented the amount of time it would take to repair his vehicle. Jizhou Zhang sought an award of $4,500 for the loss of use and…
How often are people scamming insurers with cheque fraud?
November 14, 2018 by Jason ContantInsurance fraud is again in the news, after a Moncton, N.B. man was sentenced to 30 days in prison and 18 months probation for illegally intercepting two insurance cheques sent to an Aviva Canada insured. Just how prevalent is cheque…
How this public insurer plans to save $1 billion a year
November 13, 2018 by Jason ContantChanges to accident benefits regulations will result in projected net savings of $1 billion annually, British Columbia’s Ministry of Attorney General said Friday. Changes to Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s (ICBC) accident benefits will cost an estimated $200 million annually.…