- FSCO has released a revised Attendant Care Hourly Rate Guidelines, which increases the minimum attendant care rate to $11 per hour effective June 1 to match new Ontario minimum wage. The other attendant care hourly rates remain unchanged.
- Telematics are changing driving habits and providing those who do change with discounts.
- Quebec's automobile insurance board says it has fired an employee for allegedly accepting bribes in return for helping 90 prospective drivers cheat on their tests.
- Good2Go®, specialists in offering minimum coverage auto insurance, introduces a cell phone safety discount in Pennsylvania for drivers that install a device that blocks distracting phone functions such as text messaging, email, and Internet browsing.
- Here's an early look at Volvo's self-parking, driverless car, due to hit streets in 2017.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Insurance News - Friday, May 30, 2014
Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Friday, May 30, 2014:
Monday, May 26, 2014
Insurance News - Monday, May 26, 2014
Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Monday, May 26, 2014:
- A drivers advocacy group is lobbying to have the speed limit on 400-series highways raised to 120-130 km/hour; suggests it would improve safety.
- WSAT declares traumatic stress provisions of Workplace Safety and Insurance Act are unconstitutional because mental stress claims have legal restrictions while physical claims do not.
- California's new self-driving car regulations prohibit falling asleep at the wheel among other things.
- Warren Buffett suggests self-driving cars will be good for society but a real threat to insurers as lower accident rates will reduce premiums and impact on insurers' bottom line.
- B.C. Supreme Court dismissed a claim and accepted the position of the insurer that the claimant burned his own car and claimed it was stolen.
Friday, May 23, 2014
What the Ontario Party Platforms Say About Auto Insurance
The policy platforms for the major parties in the Ontario provincial elections are out. Here is what you can expect from each of the parties with respect to auto insurance if they should win the election.
Liberals
The Liberal platform for auto insurance was essentially set out in the 2014 Spring Budget which was failed to pass before the election was called.
The Liberals indicates that the rate reduction strategy is on target and average rates will be 8% lower by August 2014 and 15% lower by August 2015. However, the Budget document does not point to any specific initiative that will specifically work towards achieving those targets. Average rates are down 5.6% as of the end of the first quarter of 2014. In addition, the Liberals point to the recently released “Automobile Insurance Transparency and Accountability Report” which highlighted that, without these reforms, insurance rates would have needed to increase significantly.
In March 2014, the Liberals introduced Bill 171, the Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act, 2014. The Bill proposed a number of initiatives to address barriers to rate reductions. The Bill includes legislative amendments for the transformation of the dispute resolution system, and further action to crack down on fraud and abuse, as well as other cost-saving measures. The government is building on the steps it has taken by developing a dedicated investigation and prosecution office on serious fraud, with an initial focus on auto insurance fraud. The development of this fraud office would be based on the Task Force’s principle that fraudsters should be vigorously pursued and prosecuted where evidence warrants. The Bill was never passed but would be introduced by the Liberals if they formed the next government.
The Liberals introduced legislation to regulate the towing industry but that Bill also did not pass before the election was called . The Liberals also tried to address storage-fee issues by introducing legislative amendments as part of Bill 171 that would provide regulation-making authority for the determination of vehicle storage periods and fair value regarding daily fees.
The Liberals had retained an independent third party to provide annual Automobile Insurance Transparency and Accountability Expert Reports to assess its efforts to reduce auto insurance costs and rates. An interim report was delivered in April 2014, and annual reports will be delivered in August of each year of the Strategy. The reports will also assess the industry’s efforts to lower costs and pass on savings to drivers. The interim report highlights that further action is needed to support the government’s Cost and Rate Reduction Strategy. The report also concludes it is important that insurers continue working to achieve efficiencies and reduce costs in the auto insurance system through initiatives such as better claim management, more sophisticated pricing methods (such as usage-based insurance) and improved fraud-prevention practices.
The Liberals would encouraging insurance companies to offer consumers usage-based insurance, which uses technology to identify and offer discounts for safe driving habits.
New Democratic Party
The NDP were slow to get their platform out to the public. The NDP pressured the Liberal government in 2013 to reduce auto insurance premiums by 15%. Their position since then is that the government is taking too long to lower rates and that most consumers haven't seen any rate decreases. They have promised to lower rates by 15% within a year of forming a government.
That promise sounds like a big win for consumers but is not really a big change from the status quo. The Liberals two-year commitment to lower rates ends on August 15, 2015. If the NDP win the election next month, their commitment would end on June 12, 2015. That only shortens the process by 2 months. Rate reductions would be effective on renewal which is also the status quo.
The other commitments are to make transparent rate-setting permanent and provide consumers with a voice in the rate-setting process. It's not at all clear how these promises would be implemented. On transparency, the reference could be to the announced 15% average rate reduction. Perhaps the NDP would set annual average rate change targets that the regulator would have to meet. As for consumer input on rate-setting, that might involve rate hearings where consumers could express views on proposed rate changes. Or perhaps the NDP have another mechanism in mind to bring consumers into the process.
Progressive Conservatives
The Conservatives have had an auto insurance action plan for some time now. They too believe that auto insurance premiums are too high. The PC plan proposes reforms in four key areas: eliminate red tape, fight insurance fraud, make the dispute resolution system more effective and ensure auto insurers are accountable to customers.
There is a reference to the use of private mediators in the dispute resolution system to expedite the process and reduce costs. Users could opt for a private mediator instead of a government one in order to reduce wait times. Although the consensus is that the dispute resolution system needs more reforms than what is in the PC plan. In addition, they would establish an independent peer-reviewed medical assessment system by standardizing assessment procedures and requiring multiple assessments be performed by medical professionals of the same specialization. This does seem to resemble the former DAC system to a certain extent.
The PC plan calls for moving away from the current rate approval process which requires prior approval and moving to a file-and-use system. The PCs claim that prices in the marketplace would be more competitive if red tape were to be eliminated. Following large rate increases approximately 10 years ago, several Canadian jurisdictions abandoned file-and-use systems. The PCs would also like to see more discounts available to consumers.
Another PC auto insurance commitment would be to use the Health Claims for Auto Insurance (HCAI) electronic billing system to identify fraud. As well, they would establish a special office of Crown Attorney to prosecute fraudsters.
Finally, they would increase accountability by making senior insurance executives personally and financially liable for the conduct of their company.
Liberals
The Liberal platform for auto insurance was essentially set out in the 2014 Spring Budget which was failed to pass before the election was called.
The Liberals indicates that the rate reduction strategy is on target and average rates will be 8% lower by August 2014 and 15% lower by August 2015. However, the Budget document does not point to any specific initiative that will specifically work towards achieving those targets. Average rates are down 5.6% as of the end of the first quarter of 2014. In addition, the Liberals point to the recently released “Automobile Insurance Transparency and Accountability Report” which highlighted that, without these reforms, insurance rates would have needed to increase significantly.
In March 2014, the Liberals introduced Bill 171, the Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act, 2014. The Bill proposed a number of initiatives to address barriers to rate reductions. The Bill includes legislative amendments for the transformation of the dispute resolution system, and further action to crack down on fraud and abuse, as well as other cost-saving measures. The government is building on the steps it has taken by developing a dedicated investigation and prosecution office on serious fraud, with an initial focus on auto insurance fraud. The development of this fraud office would be based on the Task Force’s principle that fraudsters should be vigorously pursued and prosecuted where evidence warrants. The Bill was never passed but would be introduced by the Liberals if they formed the next government.
The Liberals introduced legislation to regulate the towing industry but that Bill also did not pass before the election was called . The Liberals also tried to address storage-fee issues by introducing legislative amendments as part of Bill 171 that would provide regulation-making authority for the determination of vehicle storage periods and fair value regarding daily fees.
The Liberals had retained an independent third party to provide annual Automobile Insurance Transparency and Accountability Expert Reports to assess its efforts to reduce auto insurance costs and rates. An interim report was delivered in April 2014, and annual reports will be delivered in August of each year of the Strategy. The reports will also assess the industry’s efforts to lower costs and pass on savings to drivers. The interim report highlights that further action is needed to support the government’s Cost and Rate Reduction Strategy. The report also concludes it is important that insurers continue working to achieve efficiencies and reduce costs in the auto insurance system through initiatives such as better claim management, more sophisticated pricing methods (such as usage-based insurance) and improved fraud-prevention practices.
The Liberals would encouraging insurance companies to offer consumers usage-based insurance, which uses technology to identify and offer discounts for safe driving habits.
New Democratic Party
The NDP were slow to get their platform out to the public. The NDP pressured the Liberal government in 2013 to reduce auto insurance premiums by 15%. Their position since then is that the government is taking too long to lower rates and that most consumers haven't seen any rate decreases. They have promised to lower rates by 15% within a year of forming a government.
That promise sounds like a big win for consumers but is not really a big change from the status quo. The Liberals two-year commitment to lower rates ends on August 15, 2015. If the NDP win the election next month, their commitment would end on June 12, 2015. That only shortens the process by 2 months. Rate reductions would be effective on renewal which is also the status quo.
The other commitments are to make transparent rate-setting permanent and provide consumers with a voice in the rate-setting process. It's not at all clear how these promises would be implemented. On transparency, the reference could be to the announced 15% average rate reduction. Perhaps the NDP would set annual average rate change targets that the regulator would have to meet. As for consumer input on rate-setting, that might involve rate hearings where consumers could express views on proposed rate changes. Or perhaps the NDP have another mechanism in mind to bring consumers into the process.
Progressive Conservatives
The Conservatives have had an auto insurance action plan for some time now. They too believe that auto insurance premiums are too high. The PC plan proposes reforms in four key areas: eliminate red tape, fight insurance fraud, make the dispute resolution system more effective and ensure auto insurers are accountable to customers.
There is a reference to the use of private mediators in the dispute resolution system to expedite the process and reduce costs. Users could opt for a private mediator instead of a government one in order to reduce wait times. Although the consensus is that the dispute resolution system needs more reforms than what is in the PC plan. In addition, they would establish an independent peer-reviewed medical assessment system by standardizing assessment procedures and requiring multiple assessments be performed by medical professionals of the same specialization. This does seem to resemble the former DAC system to a certain extent.
The PC plan calls for moving away from the current rate approval process which requires prior approval and moving to a file-and-use system. The PCs claim that prices in the marketplace would be more competitive if red tape were to be eliminated. Following large rate increases approximately 10 years ago, several Canadian jurisdictions abandoned file-and-use systems. The PCs would also like to see more discounts available to consumers.
Another PC auto insurance commitment would be to use the Health Claims for Auto Insurance (HCAI) electronic billing system to identify fraud. As well, they would establish a special office of Crown Attorney to prosecute fraudsters.
Finally, they would increase accountability by making senior insurance executives personally and financially liable for the conduct of their company.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Insurance News - Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Wednesday, May 21, 2014:
- It is likely that self-driving car will provide the solution to distracted driving laws and bans on texting.
- Did you know that Google's self-driving cars have never gotten a ticket?
- How big is the market for usage-based insurance and what do customers expect?
- Telematics are on the road to widespread adoption among US truck fleets.
- Two New York bills, if passed, will attempt to deter staged accidents by introducing significant jail time for fraud convictions, as well as harsher penalties for leaving the scene of an accident.
- The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced it has created rules governing how self-driving or autonomous cars are tested by manufacturers on California roads.
Actuarial Research on the Effectiveness of Collision Avoidance Systems
A study was recently released by Ron Actuarial Intelligence reviewing he effectiveness of a Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system and a Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system on bodily injury claim costs in Israel.
The researchers had access to claims data from all insurance companies going back to 1985. They were able to compare the claim costs of vehicles with the FCW and LDW systems and those without to establish the net impact of the systems on claims frequency. The goal was to develop a model that would allow actuaries to properly price risk premium for vehicles with the systems.
What they found was that vehicles with the systems had 45% fewer claims. However, the impact on claims severity is unclear. In addition, the sample size (only 0.082% of vehicles had the systems) and claims frequency were both small so the results are subject to some deviance.
They recommend a 15% discount be offered to drivers with similar systems as more data is collected and analyzed over the coming years.
The complete study can be found here.
The researchers had access to claims data from all insurance companies going back to 1985. They were able to compare the claim costs of vehicles with the FCW and LDW systems and those without to establish the net impact of the systems on claims frequency. The goal was to develop a model that would allow actuaries to properly price risk premium for vehicles with the systems.
What they found was that vehicles with the systems had 45% fewer claims. However, the impact on claims severity is unclear. In addition, the sample size (only 0.082% of vehicles had the systems) and claims frequency were both small so the results are subject to some deviance.
They recommend a 15% discount be offered to drivers with similar systems as more data is collected and analyzed over the coming years.
The complete study can be found here.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Insurance News - Sunday, May 18, 2014
Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Sunday, May 18, 2014:
- Google did a parking-lot test with 100 cyclists driving around a self-driving car. It was able to see all of them and track their movement.
- Originally heralded as the death knell for independent agents and brokers, online auto insurance comparison sites now seem not only to be relatively toothless, but actually on their way out.
- Rhode Island regulators recently issued a bulletin notifying the state’s auto insurers of their filing requirements and deadlines for the Rhode Island Insurance Verification System (RIIVS) to track uninsured motorists.
- Actuaries are adapting to the telematics revolution. They have also found that telematics more or less affirms the old rating factors.
- Actuaries will also have to adapt to driverless cars.
- A little-noticed amendment to the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic agreed last month would let drivers take their hands off the wheel of self-driving cars. It was pushed by Germany, Italy and France, whose high-end car-makers say they are ready to zoom past American tech pioneers and bring the first "autonomous vehicles" to market.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Insurance News - Friday, May 16, 2014
Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Friday, May 16, 2014:
- Although the insurance industry purports to embrace online technology for consumers seeking quotes and other interaction, a new secret shopper study shows that only 44% of online quote requests get both a call and email response from the insurer or agent--and 17% received no response at all.
- A telematics device recently exposed a $91,000 auto insurance fraud case. Information stored on the device revealed that a car accident was not as significant as claimed by those involved in the crash.
- Lawyers launches class action suit against WSIB on behalf of Ontario injured workers for reducing awards for pre-existing conditions.
- Have the Liberals kept their auto insurance rates commitment?
- Latest Ontario seat projections have PCs winning 53 seats (current 37), Liberals winning 35 seats (current 49) and NDP with 19 seats (current 21).
Friday, May 9, 2014
Insurance News - Friday, May 9, 2014
Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Friday, May 9, 2014:
- Licensing of health care facilities by FSCO has been moved back to December 1, 2014. Applications will be accepted starting June 1, 2014.
- Consumer Federation of America claims auto insurance rates in New York went up after the introduction of file-and-use.
- WSIB is attempting to change its policy on pre-existing conditions.
- One in 10 Canadian customers switch auto insurance carriers as there is little brand awareness in the marketplace.
- At least 10 U.S. Insurance Regulators have warned drivers about ride-sharing mobile apps and how it may impact on their auto insurance policies.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
2014 Ontario Budget - Auto Insurance Commitments
The 2014 Ontario Budget outlined a number of commitments, however many are initiatives that have been previously been announced.
Auto Insurance Cost and Rate Reduction Strategy
The government indicates that the rate reduction strategy is on target and average rates will be 8% lower by August 2014 and 15% lower by August 2015. However, the document does not point to any specific initiative that will specifically work towards achieving those targets. Average rates are down 5.6% as of the end of the first quarter of 2014. In addition, the government points to the recently released “Automobile Insurance Transparency and Accountability Report” which highlighted that, without these reforms, insurance rates would have needed to increase significantly.
Transforming the Dispute Resolution System and Fighting Fraud to Reduce Rates
In March 2014, the government introduced Bill 171, the Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act, 2014. The Bill proposes a number of initiatives to address barriers to rate reductions. The Bill includes legislative amendments for the transformation of the dispute resolution system, and further action to crack down on fraud and abuse, as well as other cost-saving measures. The government is building on the steps it has taken by developing a dedicated investigation and prosecution office on serious fraud, with an initial focus on auto insurance fraud. The development of this fraud office would be based on the Task Force’s principle that fraudsters should be vigorously pursued and prosecuted where evidence warrants.
Addressing Towing, Vehicle Storage and Collision Repair Practices
The government has introduced legislation to regulate the towing industry. The government has taken action to address storage-fee issues by introducing legislative amendments as part of Bill 171 that would provide regulation-making authority for the determination of vehicle storage periods and fair value regarding daily fees. As part of the next phase of this initiative, the Province will continue consulting to address issues of fraud and abuse relating to collision repair practices. There are initiatives that are in progress and are not new initiatives.
Increasing Automobile Insurance Transparency and Accountability
The government has retained an independent third party to provide annual Automobile Insurance Transparency and Accountability Expert Reports to assess its efforts to reduce auto insurance costs and rates. An interim report was delivered to the Minister of Finance in April 2014, and annual reports will be delivered in August of each year of the Strategy. The reports will also assess the industry’s efforts to lower costs and pass on savings to drivers. The interim report highlights that further action is needed to support the government’s Cost and Rate Reduction Strategy. The report also concludes it is important that insurers continue working to achieve efficiencies and reduce costs in the auto insurance system through initiatives such as better claim management, more sophisticated pricing methods (such as usage-based insurance) and improved fraud-prevention practices.
Rewarding Safe Drivers: Usage-Based Insurance
The government is encouraging insurance companies to offer consumers usage-based insurance, which uses technology to identify and offer discounts for safe driving habits. The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has already communicated key consumer protection requirements to the insurance industry, and many companies have implemented or are planning to implement usage-based insurance.
Auto Insurance Cost and Rate Reduction Strategy
The government indicates that the rate reduction strategy is on target and average rates will be 8% lower by August 2014 and 15% lower by August 2015. However, the document does not point to any specific initiative that will specifically work towards achieving those targets. Average rates are down 5.6% as of the end of the first quarter of 2014. In addition, the government points to the recently released “Automobile Insurance Transparency and Accountability Report” which highlighted that, without these reforms, insurance rates would have needed to increase significantly.
Transforming the Dispute Resolution System and Fighting Fraud to Reduce Rates
In March 2014, the government introduced Bill 171, the Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act, 2014. The Bill proposes a number of initiatives to address barriers to rate reductions. The Bill includes legislative amendments for the transformation of the dispute resolution system, and further action to crack down on fraud and abuse, as well as other cost-saving measures. The government is building on the steps it has taken by developing a dedicated investigation and prosecution office on serious fraud, with an initial focus on auto insurance fraud. The development of this fraud office would be based on the Task Force’s principle that fraudsters should be vigorously pursued and prosecuted where evidence warrants.
Addressing Towing, Vehicle Storage and Collision Repair Practices
The government has introduced legislation to regulate the towing industry. The government has taken action to address storage-fee issues by introducing legislative amendments as part of Bill 171 that would provide regulation-making authority for the determination of vehicle storage periods and fair value regarding daily fees. As part of the next phase of this initiative, the Province will continue consulting to address issues of fraud and abuse relating to collision repair practices. There are initiatives that are in progress and are not new initiatives.
Increasing Automobile Insurance Transparency and Accountability
The government has retained an independent third party to provide annual Automobile Insurance Transparency and Accountability Expert Reports to assess its efforts to reduce auto insurance costs and rates. An interim report was delivered to the Minister of Finance in April 2014, and annual reports will be delivered in August of each year of the Strategy. The reports will also assess the industry’s efforts to lower costs and pass on savings to drivers. The interim report highlights that further action is needed to support the government’s Cost and Rate Reduction Strategy. The report also concludes it is important that insurers continue working to achieve efficiencies and reduce costs in the auto insurance system through initiatives such as better claim management, more sophisticated pricing methods (such as usage-based insurance) and improved fraud-prevention practices.
Rewarding Safe Drivers: Usage-Based Insurance
The government is encouraging insurance companies to offer consumers usage-based insurance, which uses technology to identify and offer discounts for safe driving habits. The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has already communicated key consumer protection requirements to the insurance industry, and many companies have implemented or are planning to implement usage-based insurance.
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