Look out fraudsters, David O. is on your case

NEWS RELEASE

MPP DAVID ORAZIETTI

Ontario Government Taking Steps to Reduce Costs, Fight Fraud and Protect Consumers

Sault Ste. Marie— The province is moving forward with plans to bring auto insurance premiums down across Ontario with the re-introduction of key legislation, announced David Orazietti, MPP.

In his role as Minister of Government and Consumer Services, Minister Orazietti joined Finance Minister Charles Sousa to announce the introduction of Bill 15, the Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act, 2014, as the next step in the Auto Insurance Cost and Rate Reduction Strategy.

“Our government is working to make auto insurance rates more affordable for drivers in Ontario, and the measures included in this legislation will build upon our efforts to continue to drive down costs,” said Orazietti. “We are committed to reaching our target of a 15 percent average decrease in insurance rates for Ontario drivers, and we have moved quickly to bring back legislation that was derailed by the opposition to help us achieve that goal.”

The Act is a combination of the Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act and the Roadside Assistance Protection Act. Both pieces of legislation died on the Order Paper when the NDP forced the June election.

The new legislation will help to reduce insurance rates tackling fraud and protecting drivers by:

• Transforming Ontario's auto insurance dispute resolution system (DRS) to help injured Ontario drivers settle disputed claims faster. Administrative changes would help reduce financial and administrative pressures, which can increase costs and cause rates to increase as well

• Regulating the towing and vehicle storage industries through measures to address unfair consumer practices

• Giving the province authority to change the current 60-day period that a vehicle can be stored after an accident, accruing charges, without notice to the owner

Part of this legislation is proposing to regulate the towing and vehicle storage industries. The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services will include tow trucks in the province's existing Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration system to improve road safety through government monitoring and enforcement measures.

The government is also exploring the establishment of a special investigation and prosecution unit on serious fraud, including auto insurance fraud. The proposed changes and additional oversight will contribute to lower costs in Ontario’s auto insurance system.

The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) have vocalized their support for the province’s initiative.

“On behalf of the six million policy holder’s our brokers represent province-wide, IBAO is happy to see Bill 171 and 189 combine into one piece of legislation,” said IBAO CEO Randy Carroll. “Since this process was delayed due to the election, we look forward to seeing it pass so implementation can get started as soon as possible. This is a good step towards further reductions in insurance costs by fighting fraud.” 

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