Rabu, 01 Februari 2012

Ontario Court Finds Broker Failed to Properly Offer SABS Optional Coverage

The Ontario Superior Court has dismissed a plaintiff’s action against a broker, claiming the broker did not ‘properly’ offer him the chance to purchase optional income replacement benefits.

In Zefferino v. Meloche Monnex Insurance, the plaintiff was injured on a May 27, 2005 in a motor vehicle accident. The plaintiff had purchased standard coverage including income replacement benefits to a maximum of $400 per week.

The plaintiff alleged that the insurer failed to offer optional income replacement benefits which, if they had been offered, the plaintiff would have purchased. His income at the time of the accident would have qualified him for income replacement benefits of $1,000 per week.

The defendant claimed that their practices were consistent with industry practices which was to mention the availability and only follow up if the consumer showed some interest.  The judge found that the broker’s conduct fell below the required standard of care required of a seller of insurance as set out in the SABS.

However, the judge dismissed that action because the judge was not convinced that the plaintiff would  have purchased the optional benefits had they been properly offered. The plaintiff and his spouse purchased insurance from four other insurance companies during the ten years and never purchased more that the standard accident benefits coverage.

This case has some significance in light of the reforms introduced in Ontario on September 1, 2010.  With the reduction of standard accident benefits coverage and the expanded  optional coverage, brokers, agents and direct writers are vulnerable to similar actions if their practices fall below the standard of care expected. 

 Zefferino v. Meloche Monnex Insurance, 2012 ONSC 154

If the Shafia Family Lived in Ontario Would They Qualify for SABS Benefits?



The Montreal Gazette reports that despite some media reports the Shafia family, who resided in Montreal before they were convicted of first-degree murder, might receive payouts under Quebec's no-fault auto insurance system, there will be no payout, the board says.

The three Shafia family members convicted of four counts of first-degree murder made no request for auto insurance compensation for their four relatives found dead in a car in an Ontario canal, said Gino Desrosiers, a spokesperson for the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).

In any case, they would not be eligible, he said, because the Shafia case does not meet the criteria for compensation.

SAAQ rules state that the car involved must have been in an accident on a public roadway; that the vehicle must not have been used for anything other than its intended purpose (to transport people from A to B under its own power); and that the injuries or deaths that resulted were due to a car accident.

So if the Shafia family resided in Ontario, would they be able to claim death and funeral benefits under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS)?

Subsection 3(1) of the SABS defines an “accident” as “incident in which the use or operation of an automobile directly causes an impairment.” The Crown in this case contends that the four passengers in the vehicle were likely killed before it went into the lock. If that is the case then clearly there is no entitlement because the use or operation of an automobile did not directly cause their death.

Even if the four passengers had drowned in the lock, the evidence presented at trial was that the vehicle was not driven into the lock. The key in the ignition was on the off position and the front seats were reclined in a position that would have made it impossible to operate the automobile. The evidence suggested that the automobile had been pushed in by another vehicle owned by the family. Again, their death was not directly caused by the use or operation of an automobile.

This is consistent with Ontario Court of Appeal decision Chisholm v. Liberty Mutual Group. In that case the plaintiff had become a paraplegic while driving his wife’s car as a result of wounds from gun shots fired by an unknown assailant. Liberty Mutual denied SABS benefits because the use or operation of the automobile did not directly cause the impairment. The Court agreed and indicated that the provision in the SABS provided a restrictive causation requirement.

Senin, 30 Januari 2012

Insurance News - Monday, January 30, 2012


Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/01/29/3826908/no-fault-auto-insurance-fraud.html#storylink=cpy
Legislation Puts Florida's No-Fault Auto Insurance Fraud on Ropes

Legislation championed by Rep. Jim Boyd of Bradenton gained momentum over the past week -- and deservedly so. With Florida serving as ground zero for staged vehicle accidents, bogus injuries and auto insurance fraud for several years now, the Legislature has tried but failed to adopt remedies. This session looks like the game-changer.

read more...

More Auto Insurance Victims Being Denied in Ontario

Insurance companies in Ontario are turning down an increasing percentage of requests for the assessment and treatment of serious injuries sustained by motor vehicle crash victims, according to a new survey.


The survey, spearheaded by the Alliance of Community Medical and Rehabilitation Providers, found that 42 per cent of requests of treatment are now being rejected, up from 11 per cent prior to the government’s changes to the insurance system in September 2010, a jump of 282 per cent. The survey looked at 1,143 rehabilitation providers, including 889 sole practitioners and 254 company/practice owners.

read more...

Ontario Court Prevents Property Transfers by Convicted Auto Insurance Fraudster

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has upheld a summary judgment that set aside two property transfers by a convicted auto insurance fraudster over to his wife, ruling that the conveyances represented an attempt to put his assets out of "past and future victims of his fraudulent activities."

read more...

CBS Report: Scammers Cash in on Car "Accidents"



In this tough economy, one type of insurance fraud is more popular than ever. It involves scam artists who stage car crashes in order to cash in. CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian shows us how it works.

In Tampa, Florida, security cameras outside a business captured an accident: an SUV "slammed" into a car.

read more...


Read
In this tough economy, one type of insurance fraud is more popular than ever. It involves scam artists who stage car crashes in order to cash in. CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian shows us how it works.
In Tampa, Florida, security cameras outside a business captured an accident: an SUV "slammed" into a car.
more here: htt
In this tough economy, one type of insurance fraud is more popular than ever. It involves scam artists who stage car crashes in order to cash in. CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian shows us how it works.
In Tampa, Florida, security cameras outside a business captured an accident: an SUV "slammed" into a car.
p://www.bradenton.com/2012/01/29/3826908/no-fault-auto-insurance-fraud.html#storylink=cpy

Sabtu, 19 November 2011

Cheap Car Insurance

The reason behind this is the increase in the number of accidents in these states. U.S. is among the most populated city which makes it necessary for the government to take essential steps to avoid the accidents and mishaps and protect the citizens. There are lot of companies and establishments in the United States due to which people living here has their own car and its insurance. If a person own a car and has a valid license plate, then he must have the car insurance.

If one has the city auto insurance, then the individual can cover the cost of medical expenses and damage that has been caused during the accident. Thus, the person does not need to pay the bills from his pocket at the time of financial crisis. The huge costs will be covered by the insurance. A new law has been passed which makes it compulsory for the automobile owner to have the automobile insurance. Since, this has been made compulsory so people try to get the automobile insurance at the low rate. There are various ways by which you can get the cheap car insurance. Insurance companies are present in the market that offers the outstanding customer services; insurance policy at the low rate and good premiums.

By making research for the multiple insurance quotes from different companies and then comparing them, you can get the best automobile insurance at the low rate. Internet is the best medium to get the quotes. You can make the search online to get the best deal. Also, you can instantly compare the automobile insurance affiliate. For getting different insurance policies from the best insurance companies, you can customize the auto insurance feature.

Jumat, 05 Maret 2010

Ways To Find Car Insurance For A New Driver

Car insurance firms conclude the total amount you will pay for your premiums as a result of trying to determine the level of a risk you will be. By way of example, men beneath the age of twenty five would usually pay much more for their coverage than ladies of any age or men over the ages of 25. The main reason for this is because data reveal that males in that age band are involved in more accidents and accidents cost insurance providers money. Sorry to say, there's not a good deal you can do to change your age or gender however there are more solutions to obtain reduced policies.

If you possibly can make yourself appear as less of a risk you will be entitled for discounts. There are lots of rate reductions available for any number of different things. Students that maintain a top notch grade point average, anybody that can keep a spotless driving record, driving a car with a number of safety features, carrying out an advanced driving course, whichever one of those things that make you entitled for a discount in your insurance plan. You may find a way to find further reductions your insurance issuer provides by means of simply calling your insurer and posing particular questions. A couple of minutes spent by the telephone may uncover various discounts that you never would've thought of in case you had not taken the time to inquire.



How to get a cheaper policy rate is to simply do some comparison shopping. Folks perform comparison shopping everyday regardless of whether it's to save 50 pence at the supermarket or attempting to decide on a big label product that could save them a lot more money. People evaluate prices on just about everything they buy at the store although the majority do not take any time to shop around for the most effective policy rate on their vehicle insurance. The reason may just be simply because folks do not know where to begin. Really the only tool you need to uncover the best price is your computer and the Internet.

Now, it is possible to drive around your local area and try from one insurance company to another to obtain low cost car insurance. Regrettably, you have got to gather all the information from each, bring it home, and try to compare each one so you can actually find the very best policy. If you don't want to deal with all these issues then i suggest you look online for your cheap car insurance. You'll see that many of the internet sites today gives you a way to compare every one of the companies in a single place. As a result once you put in all your insurance policy information, around eighty companies will appear with estimates.

Nonetheless, before you jump in it is important to gather all the very best information that offers you a greater possible opportunity to obtain discount rates. Consider it like the way you perform tax returns. You locate everything that will add money right? Well in this instance you are looking in the places which can help you obtain inexpensive car insurance. On the list of ways to try and do this is by means of increasing the excess sum. If you are at present using a £250 excess, increase it to £500. This alone will be able to bring down your rates or monthly costs if you make payments. However, in the meantime we recommend setting to one side some capital only in case an ill-fated situation occurs.

Jumat, 10 Juli 2009

One Can Get Car Insurance Online Very Quickly

Also one must not go only with the price as buying cheaper car insurance policy can cost very much expensive in a longer run. One must also look at the coverage provided by the car insurance policy. All the various different car insurance policies provide different coverage. As in some policies the comprehensive coverage is also provided. This coverage covers the car damage if the car is damaged in any hail or flood. This coverage also covers the car in the act of theft.

Almost all the car insurance companies are providing car insurance policies at reasonable rates in the present date. The main reason behind this is that so that each and every person can afford it very easily. One can purchase car insurance by two ways. One way is to go to the car insurance agent or broker and the other way is to go online. The second way is very much convenient and also faster then the first way. For the second way, one needs to have a computer and an Internet connection. If one has it, one must open the sites from where one can buy car insurance online.

After opening all such sites, first thing that one will have to obtain is the car insurance quotes. And for this one will have to fill up a form. This form must be filled up completely and that too with honesty. After filling this form the very next step is the submission of the form. After the submission of this form on will get car insurance quotes of all the car insurance companies, agencies and providers. On the same site one can also make comparison among the car insurance quotes of all the various different car insurance companies, agencies and providers. After this comparison one will be able to select the best car insurance policy. And one can make purchase of car insurance there on that site only.

Jumat, 05 Desember 2008

Buy Long Term Insurance

instance when purchase daylong constituent tending shelter was evenhandedly easy and pretty cut and dry. Times have changed for this particular type of shelter and anyone considering purchase it would do substantially to clear some instance work carriers and news levels as substantially as premiums.

Generally speaking, the outlay for a nursing bag resident today is about $71,000 annually, which works discover to around $200 a day. The outlay for non-resident, aided living comes in at around $32,000 a year, or $88 dollars a day. In both cases, that is a lot of money over the instruction of time.

The major reason grouping want to acquire daylong constituent tending policies is so they crapper protect their assets in the event they requirement to clear for nursing bag occupancy, aided living expenses, or bag tending expenses. Those who do not have this type of shelter are often forced to liquidate their assets in visit to intend the tending they need. For many grouping this means selling the home, cashing in on retirement funds, and depleting fund accounts.

On average, if you have more than $300,000 in individualized assets, you haw want to countenance into daylong constituent tending shelter as a means of protecting yourself.

The age in which you purchase these types of policies is important. A person who is fifty-years-old haw clear $2,000 for a policy, while a seventy-year-old haw modify up paying as such as $8,000 or more for the same policy.
blame for the huge and rising individualized debt mountain that UK consumers have accrued.

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