Ontario changing auto insurance system; aiming to tackle fraud and slash rates
by Shawn Jeffords, The Canadian Press
Ontarians face the highest premiums in the country. The changes come after the Liberal government failed to meet its commitment to cut insurance costs 15 per cent by summer 2015
The province has the most expensive premiums in the country, despite having one of the lowest levels of accidents. PHOTO: PLTam/Flickr
TORONTO—Ontario is making changes to the auto insurance industry in an attempt to combat fraud and reduce rates for drivers.
Finance Minister Charles Sousa and Attorney General Yasir Naqvi introduced a plan Tuesday that they said will address structural problems in the province’s auto insurance system.
The Liberal government will develop standard treatment plans for common collision injuries such as sprains and whiplash, create independent and neutral examination centres to provide medical assessments for more serious injuries, and establish a Serious Fraud Office to tackle fraud in the system.
Sousa said the cost of auto insurance fraud is estimated to be as high as $1.6 billion a year.
“Auto insurance fraud has become an industry,” Sousa said. “It’s time to stop it. If you know someone who has been engaged in this crime let the Serious Fraud Office know. They will pursue and investigate these fraudsters and bring them to justice.”
A government-commissioned report earlier this year found that Ontario has the most expensive auto insurance premiums in Canada despite also having one of the lowest levels of accidents and fatalities.
“This transformation must change the emphasis away from cash for bogus pay outs and ensure appropriate care for victims,” Sousa said.
Ontario’s announcement comes as the Liberal government is still trying to fulfill a promise to reduce rates by 15 per cent on average from 2013 levels _ rates have now decreased on average by about eight per cent since then.
The government missed its self-imposed deadline of August 2015 to hit that target and Premier Kathleen Wynne has admitted that was a “stretch goal.”
The opposition Progressive Conservatives said the Liberals are only acting on insurance rates now because an election is less than six months away.
“Auto insurance premiums are still 55 per cent higher than other Canadian jurisdictions,” PC finance critic Vic Fedeli said. “Four years ago this government promised a 15 per cent cut … They have completely bungled this file.”
NDP legislator Wayne Gates said the Liberal plan is too late and has missed the mark.
“Today we heard about a new auto insurance scheme and it doesn’t even target rate reduction,” he said. “Is this another stretch goal by the Liberal government to pretend you’re lowering auto insurance rates right before an election?”
