Toronto Rehabilitation Clinics and Affiliated Individuals Charged with Over 80 Auto Insurance Offences

TORONTO, Jan. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has laid 84 charges under Ontario's Insurance Act against two rehabilitation clinics and four individuals affiliated with these clinics. These clinics and individuals are alleged to have submitted false invoices to auto insurers.

The following clinics were each charged with 7 counts of knowingly making false or misleading statements to an auto insurer to obtain payment for goods and services provided to an insured and 7 counts of engaging in an unfair or deceptive act or practice:

• Fairview Assessment Centre (200 Finch Ave W., Suite 314, Toronto, Ontario, M2R 3W4)
• Pacific Assessment Centre (1120 Finch Ave. W., Suite 607, Toronto, Ontario,    M3J 3H7)

Charges were also laid against the following four individuals affiliated with these clinics:

• Danny Grossi
• Alexandre Lobatch
• Yaniv Tamsout
• Vitali Tourkov

FSCO investigates allegations of misconduct, unfair practices and non-compliance with legislation or regulations in its regulated sectors. When warranted, FSCO takes enforcement action.
FSCO is an agency of the Ministry of Finance established under the Financial Services Commission of Ontario Act, 1997. It regulates insurance, pension plans, loan and trust companies, credit unions and caisses populaires, co-operative corporations and mortgage brokerages and administrators in Ontario.

QUOTE

• When fraudsters falsify accident treatment bills, Ontario drivers take the hit through higher premiums. This, despite the fact that the vast majority of drivers go for years - even decades - without being in an accident or making a claim. FSCO will continue to crack down on those who cheat Ontario drivers by abusing the auto insurance system. - Philip Howell, CEO and Superintendent of FSCO

QUICK FACTS

• In its Final Report, Ontario's Auto Insurance Anti-Fraud Task Force concluded that fraud in the auto insurance system is substantial and has a significant impact on premiums.
• The Task Force's Final Report contains 38 targeted recommendations on four key areas: fraud prevention, detection, investigation and enforcement and regulatory roles and responsibilities.
• Insurers have rights and responsibilities under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) to challenge questionable or abusive claims, including verifying invoices and expenses.

Don’t Let Winter Catch You Off Guard: 10 Things You Can Do Now to Winterize Your Car In the fall …

1 .Have your mechanic check your battery fluid levels, battery posts and cable connectors. Bad connections can keep your car from starting.

2. Worn windshield wipers reduce visibility in bad weather conditions; replace them annually to keep visibility clear.

3. To avoid problems with visibility, ensure that your defroster and heater are working properly.

4. Invest in snow tires for the winter (they're mandatory in Quebec). The deep treads give you more control while driving in the snow or on slippery roads. Make sure your tires are also properly inflated as tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops.

5. In Canada, blizzards can come out of nowhere. Put together or purchase a winter safety kit that includes a warm blanket, flashlight, gloves, boots, flares and water. Don't forget to keep a good ice scraper, washer fluid and non-perishable foods in your trunk.

When the bad weather hits …

6. Clear ALL the snow on your car, not just the snow on the windows. Leaving snow on the roof of your car can be dangerous for other drivers if it lands on their windshield and reduces their visibility.

7. Plan your route in advance and give yourself extra time to get to your destination so you can drive at a safe speed and not worry about rushing.

8. Leave extra space between you and the car ahead. It takes longer for you to come to a complete stop on slippery roads.

9. Turn on your headlights if visibility is poor. Do not rely on just your car's daytime running lights. This helps you see and be seen.

10. If the weather is severe, pull over until it is safe to drive or avoid driving at all if you can. Before driving in bad weather, make sure to bring a fully changed mobile phone with you so you can call for help if you get stuck.

Popcorn Lung?

US man awarded $7.2 million after developing lung condition

If you’re planning to sit down and watch a movie tonight, you might want to think twice about eating a bag of microwave popcorn–or at least, inhaling that delicious buttery popcorn smell.

A man in Colorado has been awarded $7.2 million in damages for developing a chronic, irreversible disease known as “popcorn lung.”

The condition, which causes breathing difficulties, is caused by diacetyl, a chemical used in the flavouring of microwave popcorn.

Wayne Watson was diagnosed with the disease in 2007 after years of breathing in the smell of the microwave popcorn that he said he ate daily.  He is the first known consumer of microwave popcorn to be diagnosed with the condition, according to his attorney, Kenneth McClain.

Jurors found that Glister-Mary Lee Corp, the private labeling manufacturer of the microwave popcorn, and King Soopers, the supermarket chain that sold the popcorn, were negligent for failing to properly label popcorn packages and inform consumers that diacetyl was hazardous.

Glister-Mary Lee Corp was found liable for 80% of the $7.2 million award, while King Soopers and it’s parent company, Kroger, were found liable for 20%.  King Soopers and Kroger intend to appeal the decision.

With files from Reuters

Honda recalls 30,000 Accords in Canada

Honda is recalling nearly 30,000 vehicles in Canada as part of a broader recall in North America to fix a faulty power steering hose that can leak fluid and cause a fire.

The recall affects 600,000 Accord midsize cars in the U.S. and Canada with V-6 engines from the 2003 through 2007 model years.

Honda has a report of one fire but no injuries or crashes. Honda Canada adds that no related fires, crashes or injuries have been reported in Canada.

According to the Transport Canada road safety recall database, roughly 30,000 cars in Canada are affected by the safety notice.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the Accord’s power steering hose can deteriorate with prolonged exposure to engine heat.

The agency says the hoses can crack and leak, possibly causing a fire or loss of power-assisted steering.

Honda will replace the hoses for free, but it won’t have the parts available until early next year. Any owner who suspects a leak should take their car to a dealer for inspection, Honda spokesman Ed Miller said Monday.

The company that makes the Accord’s power-steering hoses had to ramp up manufacturing to make them since the affected cars are more than five model years old and the hoses were out of production, Miller said.

“We’re going to start making them and getting them out there as soon as we can,” he said.

The Accords are being added to a May recall of 53,000 Acura TL midsize luxury cars in the U.S. from the 2007 and 2008 model years. Acura is Honda’s luxury brand.

The replacement hoses for the Accords are different from the hoses in the original Acura recall, Honda said.

What Does My Insurance Company Do With My Premium?

There are some common and persistent misconceptions about what insurance companies do with the money they collect from you and every other policyholder. Some people think it sits in the bank until someone makes a claim. Not true. Others believe that premiums go to pay for claims that have already happened. Not true either.

Your premium dollar travels a long and winding road, but, in the end, most of it goes to assist consumers in one way or another. For example, if you suffer a loss, a portion of your premium dollar and those of several other policyholders finds its way back to you, to help you recover.

For the record, this is what happens to your premiums:

In the insurance system, money is always moving. On a daily basis, there are claims to be settled, taxes to be paid and other costs related to running a business (paying salaries, buying equipment, paying rent, etc.). Some money is always set aside so that the company can respond quickly to catastrophes, when a large number of claims will have to be paid in a short period of time. This is called a reserve.

Any money that is not needed for day-to-day expenses or reserves is usually invested by insurers.

Here are a few things you should know about insurers’ investments:

1. Contrary to what some people think, insurers have never had a year when they lost money on investments. Some years are better than others, but the industry has always generated positive investment returns. 
2. Insurers are among the most careful investors in the country. On average, approximately three quarters of their investments are in government bonds.
3. In order to make sure that insurers are able to pay claims, the federal government monitors the industry’s investments to make certain that they are low-risk.
4. Insurers strive to maintain a portfolio that allows for quick liquidation of investments to pay claims.

Why do insurance companies invest the money? 

The nature of insurance is such that your insurance company holds your premium until it is needed to pay claims. By investing the money in the interim and making a return, your insurance company is able to offset the cost of claims and charge you less than you would otherwise pay.

In fact, there have been years when returns on investments were so good (10% or higher) that insurers only had to collect enough premium to pay for claims and expenses, and made all of their profit from investments. Even when investment returns are much more modest, this is an excellent way to keep premiums as low as possible for consumers. 

I had a friend email me last week about tenants insurance for his son who is just starting university this week for the first time. Like him, most people who have a homeowners policy don't realize that there is some type of coverage for students living away from home that are attending a full time post secondary program. Shortly after receiving the inquiry I stumbled on this article from money sense magazine. It explains it well!

Full-time post secondary students are often covered under their parent’s home insurance plan.

By Stefania Moretti | Online only, 29/08/12

Students moving away from home for the first time need renter’s insurance, experts say, but in many cases it doesn’t have to cost them a thing.

Full-time post secondary students are often covered under their parent’s home insurance plan, according to John McClelland of Toronto-based McClelland Insurance brokerage. The key is double-checking with your provider and notifying them of the new address.

A simple phone call can protect students from all kinds of mishaps in and around campus.
“There’s the obvious— fire, water damage and theft—concerns but there are also liability concerns,” McClelland said.

If someone is injured on the premises or a toilet floods over and causes water damage to a few floors below, it can hugely expensive and time consuming without insurance.

Not every rental unit problem is the landlord’s responsibility either.

“There can be a lot of misconceptions out there,” McClelland said. “It depends who was found to be negligent. Tenants can be held responsible.” Without proper insurance, tenants who are found to be at-fault are on the hook for damages.

“Everyone who is on their own should have a tenant’s package and a lot of people don’t realize the importance of this,” McClelland said. A recent poll commissioned by TD Insurance found 47% of Canadian tenants under 35 do not have renter’s insurance and 32% incorrectly believe they are covered under their landlord’s insurance policy.

Tenant insurance is especially important for students because student housing can be more risky than single-family homes thanks to high turnover rates—not to mention the parties.

Protecting possessions from theft is reason enough to seek out coverage. Students may not have accumulated many material possessions but the stuff they do have is usually pretty valuable like laptops, TVs, textbooks and musical instruments.

Students who are covered under a parent’s plan should read the policy carefully to ensure there are no gaps in coverage.

“All companies have different wording on their habitational policies,” McClelland said.

For example, some companies only cover students staying in residence as opposed to just off-campus.

Others will limit student coverage to $10,000 in valuable regardless of the contents limit their parents enjoy.

“For a lot of students who are moving into residences that’s probably sufficient,” McClelland said. But tenants buying their own furniture to live in non-student housing might want to consider additional coverage.

Luckily, the average renter’s insurance plan is pretty reasonable, costing roughly $500 a year. Plus, tenant insurance can be bundled with car insurance for additional savings.

Tenant insurance can also help 20-somethings establish an insurance history that should help lower their insurance costs in the long run. A clean record can earn you free claims, loyalty discounts and lower deductibles on all types of insurance in the future.

There’s more for young scholars and their parents to consider when it comes to insurance. Living with a roommate that has insurance doesn’t mean you’re covered as well.

Students covered under their parent’s policy are typically subject to their parents’ deductible if and when a claim is made.

“In a lot of cases that’s going to be higher than a student might be comfortable with,” McClelland said.
And parents should keep in mind that any claims made by their child will affect their own claims history and could result in higher premiums.

“We’ve had some parents say, we know that they can be covered under our plan but we think it would be a good stepping stone toward responsibility but also protect our insurance if they had their own policy,” McClelland said.

It’s really about what you’re comfortable with and practicing preventative maintenance such as locking windows and doors while you’re out and even turning off the water if you’re away over the holidays to ensure the pipes don’t burst.

“Moving out of your parents’ home for the first time can be very liberating, but it also comes with a lot of financial responsibilities,” said Dave Minor, Vice President, TD Insurance.

“For those trying to make ends meet, tenants may be tempted to forgo renter’s insurance to try to cut costs. But consider the cost of replacing your laptop or smartphone if you were robbed. Before moving out, it’s important to understand the basics of renter’s insurance and ensure you have the right coverage in place to protect yourself.”

Fake auto insurance appears to be on the rise: police

DAILY NEWS Aug 29, 2012 11:44 AM - 

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Routine traffic stops by members of the Southern Georgian Bay auxiliary unit of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are revealing an increase in fraudulent insurance documents.

“Unsuspecting consumers are being targeted by fake insurance companies selling auto insurance in Ontario,” says a press release from the OPP. Citizens are reminded to exercise caution when buying insurance and to ensure they are purchasing products from reputable brokers and insurance companies.

A recent KPMG study indicates auto insurance fraud is conservatively estimated to cost Ontario drivers $770 million to $1.6 billion per year, the police report.

Richard Dubin, vice president of investigative services for Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), advises checking the person selling insurance through the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO). “If it sounds too good to be true, stay clear,” Dubin says.

A person convicted of producing fraudulent insurance faces a fine of $5,000 to $25,000 on a first conviction, and $10,000 to $50,000 on a subsequent conviction, as well as suspension of his or her driver’s licence for as long as year.

Drinking and driving sentences from around the world!

I have an application on my Iphone that I have found very useful called beat the traffic. It helps navigate our road systems and identify accidents ahead and other slow downs. Might be worth checking out if you have an Iphone or Android. I received this interesting article from their weekly newsletter that I thought was very interested. Enjoy! 

Drinking and driving is one of the world's most dangerous combinations. As a result, various countries have adopted different measures and laws, being affected by various issues such as culture, religion and the level of intoxication. Note that some of the laws seem to be unbelievable.

Australia: 

The names of the drivers are sent to the local newspapers and are printed under the heading "He's Drunk and in Jail".

Malaysia: 

The Driver is jailed and if married, his wife is jailed too. (If this was in the US, it could explain the high divorce rate :)

South Africa: 

A 10 year prison sentence and the equivalent of a $10,000 fine.

Turkey: 

Drunk drivers are taken 20 miles outside of town by police and are forced to walk back under escort

Finland & Sweden: 

Automatic jail for one year of hard labor.

Costa Rica: 

Police remove plates from car.

Russia:

Not many may be surprised that they have tough laws based on Russians long love affair with alcohol. If caught driving under the influence of alcohol, you lose your driving license for life. Even upon the first offense.

Mexico and Canada:

Give their border patrol agents the right to deny a person entry into the country if he has been convicted of DUI.    

Fun Facts

Can you get a DUI on a horse? Yes you can! You can get a ticket for DUI while on anything that is considered transportation. This includes cars, horses, bikes, mopeds, water crafts (read more about Alaskan man arrested for floating down the river drunk) or even wheelchairs (watch the video).     

York Regional Police lay 142 charges in alleged auto fraud scheme called "Project Sideswipe"

2012-08-10

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Forty-six suspects have been charged in connection with an alleged auto fraud scheme called Project Sideswipe involving staged collisions and suspected false medical billings in Ontario.

One hundred and forty-two charges have been laid to date, including conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, fraud under $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and obstruction of a police officer, notes a statement from the York Regional Police (YRP).

Project Sideswipe involved nine alleged staged collisions that occurred in York Region, as well as suspected associated false medical billings from several medical rehab and assessment centres in Brampton, Toronto and Mississauga, notes a statement from the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). The allegations have not been proven in court.

Police believe a ring of recruited drivers and passengers staged collisions to support accident benefit insurance claims. Medical rehab and assessment centres would then use the names, signatures and college registration numbers of medical practitioners, without their proper authorization, and invoice insurance companies for services that were not rendered, the IBC reports.

Rick Dubin, vice president of investigation services for the IBC, characterized the efforts as yet, "another step at driving a wedge into one of the alleged sophisticated fraud networks, operating throughout the Greater Toronto Area.”

“The potential loss to nine insurers is still being calculated, but it is estimated to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of $5 million,” Dubin notes in the statement.

“Insurance premiums are driven by claims costs and right now costs have been driven through the roof in Ontario as a result of fraud and abuse in the system.” Results from a KPMG study estimate the annual cost of auto insurance fraud in Ontario to be in the range of between $770 million and $1.6 billion per year.

Organized Insurance Fraud

The Insurance Bureau of Canada released a recent video outlining the insurance fraud that has been happening in Canada. There are a couple ways that collision's are generally staged. Watch the video to find out how.

License Plate Sticker cost going up! Sept 1,2012

 This is for everyone whose birthday is after September 1, 2012

As of September 1,2012, the price of the sticker will be going from $74 to $82 ($8.00 increase). Then, in Jan 2013 it will go to $90 ($16.00 increase) and in 2014 it will be $98 ($24.00 increase).

Did you know that you can purchase your sticker up to 6 months in advance? So if your birthday is after September 1,2012  you should go and get your sticker before that date even if your birthday is in Dec. You can also purchase a 2 year sticker at $74.00 per year.

 If there is a way to keep your money in your pocket instead of the governments, why not take advantage of the opportunity.

I hope this info can help someone save a few bucks!

What Canadians know .... about insurance.

67% of Canadians believe that, when calculating home insurance premiums, insurers consider whether the outside of a house is brick or aluminum siding.

They are right. Most insurance companies do use type of construction as a rating factor when calculating home insurance premiums. For instance, construction type is factored in when insurers calculate the building replacement cost (i.e., what it would cost to rebuild the dwelling with materials of like kind and quality, if it were destroyed). Click here to learn more about how home insurance rates are calculated. Click here to watch the "Home Replacement Cost" video. (3min., 15 MB)

73% of Canadians believe that the cost of their home insurance is affected by the type of electrical wiring in their home.

They are right. How much you pay for home insurance depends on a number of factors including the kind of wiring you have in your home.  Some older types of wiring, such as knob-and-tube or aluminum, can increase the chance of fire, especially if the wiring has deteriorated or been damaged during renovations.   Some insurance companies want a guarantee that a home does not have this wiring, some may give you time to have it removed, while others might request an inspection to ensure its safety.  Click here to learn more about how home insurance premiums are calculated.

39% of Canadians believe that their home insurance covers them for damage caused by flooding due to spring run-off – the melting of large quantities of snow and ice.

They are wrong. Damage caused by melting or moving snow is generally not covered by home insurance. Home insurance is meant to help policyholders cope with the financial consequences of unpredictable events that are “sudden and accidental.” Predictable or preventable events are not covered. These are called “uninsurable perils.” Damage caused by melting or moving snow is considered predictable, so it is an uninsurable peril. For more information about home insurance, click here.

50% of Canadians believe that their home insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by an “act of God,” such as high winds.

They are wrong. There is no blanket exclusion in a home insurance policy for “acts of God” or “acts of nature.” In fact, you will not find either of these terms anywhere in your policy. The truth is, some damage caused by nature and the environment is covered, and some isn’t. For example, damage to your home caused by wind or hail is generally covered by home insurance if the damage is done to the outside of the building. However, items such as antennas, satellite dishes, etc., are not covered. The interior of a building and its contents are covered only if the storm has first created an opening. Damage caused by flooding is generally not covered (see #1, above). Damage caused by the shaking of an earthquake is also generally not covered, but this type of coverage can be purchased as an add-on to your policy. For more information about home insurance click here.

60%  of Canadians believe that the colour of their cars does not affect what they pay for insurance.

They are right. The colour of your car does not affect your automobile insurance premium. You will not be asked to specify the colour of your vehicle on your auto insurance application. However, many other variables (such as your driving record, how expensive it would be to replace your car, and government regulations) are considered when setting auto insurance rates. Click here to learn more about how auto insurance rates are calculated.

61% of Canadians believe that the cost of their home insurance is affected by whether their appliances are powered by gas or by electricity.

They are wrong. The types of appliances in your home do not affect your insurance rates. Insurance companies base the cost of your home insurance on how likely you are to make a claim and what that claim is likely to cost them. Generally speaking, the lower the risk, the lower the premium. When it comes to the choice between gas and electricity, neither power source appears to be riskier than the other. So, the way your appliances are powered doesn’t affect what you pay for home insurance. For more information click here.

58% of Canadians believe that the contents of their vehicles are not covered by their automobile insurance.

They are right. Your automobile insurance covers the driver, the passengers and, depending on your policy, the car itself. It does not cover the stuff you carry around in your car. Typically, any sporting equipment (e.g., golf clubs), DVDs and MP3 players or other items that may get stolen from your car or damaged in a collision are covered by your home or tenant’s insurance. However, if you run a home-based business, your standard home or tenant’s insurance policy will likely not cover items related to that business (e.g., products or equipment) if they get stolen from or damaged in your car. Check with your insurance representative to find out what types of vehicle contents your home or tenant’s insurance covers.

68% of Canadians think that auto insurance covers damage to their vehicles if they hit a moose, a deer, or any other wildlife.

They are right, if they have Comprehensive coverage.
If your vehicle hits a deer, or any other wild animal, any resulting damage to your vehicle is covered, likely under the Comprehensive section of your car insurance policy.

Talk to your insurance representative to learn more. For more information about car insurance, click here

Tips to Recognize Car Insurance Myths: The Top 5 Misconceptions

Car insurance can be confusing, and it doesn’t help that there is plenty of misinformation being passed off as truth. Some car insurance myths have been circulating for so long that they’ve become entrenched, and the more they are passed along, the more they are believed. InsuranceHotline.com has the truth behind five common car insurance myths.

Myth #1. Every ticket affects car insurance rates. While getting a ticket is the most common reason why a driver sees an increase in rates, it’s not true that every single ticket results in a rate increase. Most insurance companies charge only for a select list of violations, and they are generally moving violations. This means that parking tickets won’t affect insurance rates. There are also a variety of other tickets that won’t cause an increase. While this varies based on the insurance company’s policies, the fact remains that not every ticket is a chargeable one.

Myth #2. Car insurance covers everything in and on the car. Many people persist in the belief that anything and everything that is in the car, as well as after-market parts and stereo equipment added to the car, will be covered by the insurance policy. This is not the case. Car insurance policies do have a limited amount of coverage for contents, but it’s usually quite low. A car insurance policy is designed to protect from the major financial impact of damage to the car itself as well as medical bills as a result of injury from a car accident. Personal property is most often covered under a home insurance policy rather than auto insurance. Make sure you keep your receipts for any after-market parts and equipment installed. Please speak with your insurance professional directly to find out those items are covered.

Myth #3. No-fault insurance means no one is at fault in an accident. No-fault insurance is named somewhat confusingly. It doesn’t mean that no one will be found at fault when there is an accident; there is always a determination of fault on the part of the insurance company. No-fault actually means that it doesn’t matter who is at fault – each party’s insurance company plays the claim for their customer. “Fault is always determined in an accident, and the at-fault party can expect to see their rates affected by the accident in most cases.” Tammy Ezer of InsuranceHotline.com clarifies.

Myth #4. My insurance covers a car that I borrow. Insurance policies follow the car, not the driver. It is the vehicle owner’s insurance that will handle any incidents that might occur. This means that if you borrow someone’s car and are involved in an at-fault accident, it may cost the owner of the car in the form of a deductible and/or an increase in their car insurance rate not the person who borrowed the car. When lending or borrowing a car, make sure you’re fully aware of the potential consequences.

Myth #5. The legal minimum is enough coverage. Each province mandates a minimum legal amount of liability coverage every driver must carry in order to be financially responsible. That doesn’t mean that it’s the perfect amount of coverage for every driver. In fact, it doesn’t include collision or comprehensive coverage and may well be too low a liability limit for complete protection. Most people carry more than the legal minimum to avoid out-of-pocket costs in an accident. Legal minimums make sure no one is driving without liability coverage to protect other drivers – they aren’t meant to be a complete insurance package.

Article from insurancehotline.com May 9, 2012

5 Reasons Why You Need Tenants Insurance

It is no secret that insurance is vitally important. Car, life, home or medical insurance coverage is necessary to protect you in the case of emergency or an accident. Yet, many renters fail to purchase tenants insurance. Similar to home insurance quotes, the quotes for tenants insurance (also renters insurance) depends on many variables. However, the good news is that tenants insurance tends to be far less expensive than many other types of home insurance policies, because it doesn’t include coverage on the actual building (which tends to be the bulk of home insurance costs). Considering the relatively low cost of tenants insurance, not carrying coverage is an unnecessary risk. Here are the top misconceptions about renters insurance and why you need a policy to protect you:

1.    My landlord’s insurance policy will cover me.

While your landlord may have insurance coverage on the building where you are renting, that insurance is in place to protect the structure and the landlord’s own personal liability in case someone is injured on the property – not your possessions. As a renter you should carry your own tenants insurance to protect your belongings from potential risk.

2.    The upgrades I’ve made are covered by my landlord’s policy.

While your landlord’s insurance policy protects improvements that they’ve made – it doesn’t cover the improvements you’ve made. So if you’ve installed a new closet organizer or made other changes to your living quarters that are damaged in the event of an accident (i.e. fire), don’t expect to be compensated. Only your tenants insurance can provide you with that coverage.

3.    I don’t own that much – I don’t need to insure my possessions.

Though you may not think your possessions would present a significant loss to you, take an inventory and you’ll see how quickly the value adds up. You don’t need to have big screen televisions or expensive art and jewelry – books, electronic media, and small kitchen appliances add up quickly! At the relatively low cost of tenants insurance, coverage to protect your belongings from fire or theft will help give you the peace of mind and comfort you need.

4.    If I’m careful I don’t need to have liability insurance.

Accidents happen. That’s why we need insurance. Though you may not intentionally injure someone in your home, or you don’t plan on causing damage to a friend’s or neighbour’s property, there is always a possibility that you could. Having third party liability insurance (which is forms part of your tenants insurance policy at a low cost) will protect you from accidents which could cause damage or injury to another’s property and end your relationship with them if you can’t afford to rectify the damage out of pocket.

Have a dog? Even if your dog’s never bitten, third party liability insurance will let you rest easy. In the case of an unfortunate event where your dog hurts someone else, their medical expenses and any other awards will be covered by your insurance policy, rather than you trying to find the money to compensate the affected person(s).

5.    My landlord will look after me if I have to vacate my apartment.

Your landlord isn’t responsible for paying your living expenses in the event when you can’t continue to live in your rented dwelling while an insurance claim is being settled or repairs are being made. This includes cases of fire, theft, vandalism, etc. A commonly missed advantage to tenants insurance is that, similarly to home insurance, your insurance provider will help to cover your living expenses while repairs are being made in the case of an accident, (i.e. fire). This will ease the financial burden to you while the claims process progresses and repairs are being made, and keep you in the lifestyle that you are accustom to.

Tenants insurance (renters insurance) is a flexible and affordable way for renters to achieve peace of mind and protect themselves and their possessions. Drivers and homeowners wouldn’t consider going without car and home insurance, and with the relatively low costs for tenants insurance, renters should also insure themselves against loss.

TOP 10 Worst Roads in Ontario

1. Dufferin St. (Toronto)

2. Bunting Rd. (St. Catharines)

3. Burlington St. E. (Hamilton)

4. Stanley Ave. (Niagara Falls)

5. Kraft Creek Rd. (Timmins)

6. Lawrence Ave. E. (Toronto)

7. Carling Ave. (Ottawa)

8. Finch Ave. w. (Toronto)

9. Kingston Rd. (Toronto)

10. Bayview Ave. (Toronto)


Toronto has five of the top-10 worst roads in the province, according to the annual survey from the Canadian Automobile Association.

Six of the roads were in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton.

Dufferin St. was bumped to No. 1 on the list for 2012, the first time it has been ranked No. 1. However, this is the sixth time that Dufferin St. has cracked the top 10.

The CAA reports that 80 per cent of those who voted for Dufferin St. complained about potholes and crumbling pavement.

The other Toronto roads on the list include: Lawrence Ave. E. at No. 6, Finch Ave. W. at No. 8, Kingston Road at No. 9 and Bayview Ave. at No. 10.

The other jarringly travelled roads making the top-10 list were Bunting Rd. in St. Catharines at No. 2, Burlington St. E. in Hamilton at No. 3, Stanley Ave. in Niagara Falls at No. 4, Kraft Creek Rd. in Timmins at No. 5, and Carling Ave. in Ottawa at No. 7.

During the four-week long campaign, the CAA registered nearly 10,000 votes from across the province.

The association said in a statement it will present the list and make recommendations to both the provincial and municipal governments.

The CAA and the Ontario Road Builders Association are calling on drivers throughout the province to raise awareness about the need for improved infrastructure by voting for Ontario's worst roads.
Last year, the worst-road torch was passed to Pelican Falls Rd. in Sioux Lookout, a rugged town of 5,300 situated halfway between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg.

The road was called a dusty two-lane gravel road with potholes the size of grizzly bears.
Two years ago, Steeles Ave. at Bathurst St. was judged the worst road, but moved down to No. 11 last year. It took $15 million in repair work to get Steeles off the worst-road list, where it had languished for two years.

Curtis Rush Staff Reporter

Published On Wed May 02 2012 

10 most worry-free used cars

Here's a news flash: it isn't easy finding a good, reliable used car. While it's true they no longer rust like Russian freighters, the truth is today's models are complex and rely on a lot of technology -- such as airbags and numerous computers -- that can make repairs and upkeep a pricy routine.

Domestic products are a hodge-podge of good and bad, European models are very dear to maintain beyond the warranty period, and even the Asian manufacturers have been caught cutting corners, especially since transplanting their factories in North America. Ask your neighbour how many transmissions her Honda Odyssey has spit up.

First-time buyers and newcomers to Canada have the hardest time navigating the used-vehicle listings and car lots in search of a good buy. For them, and you, we've put together our very best bets as reliable transportation. Like a certain brand of timepiece, these 10 can take a licking and keep on ticking.

To see the full article and detailed explanations on each car on MSN auto click here

10. 2006-09 Ford Fusion

 

 

 

 

9. 2002-06 Honda CR-V

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. 2005-06 Saab 9-2X

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. 2006-10 Kia Rio

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. 2003-06 Mitsubishi Outlander

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. 2002-06 Hyundai Elantra

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. 2003-08 Toyota Corolla

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. 1999-2005 Mazda Miata MX-5

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. 2003-08 Pontiac Vibe

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. 2000-05 Toyota Echo

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 24, 2012 12:32 PM | By Mark Toljagic for MSN Autos

 

Busy long-weekend for OPP on the roads

Although provincially there were eight deaths on OPP-patrolled roads and highways over Canada Road Safety Week, which ended May 21, locally speeding seemed to be the bigger problem

 (KAWARTHA LAKES) While most were soaking up the gorgeous long-weekend weather, Kawartha Lakes OPP officers were kept busy monitoring local roads.

An officer clocked a vehicle exceeding the speed limit by 52 km/h on Highway 35 Friday (May 18), OPP say, leading to a racing charge being laid against 30-year-old Ami Abdelsayed of North York, who is scheduled to appear in Lindsay court July 10.

The following day, an officer laid another racing charge under the Highway Traffic Act after stopping a vehicle travelling 140 km/h in a posted 80 km/h zone on Highway 35, near Fleetwood Road. Kendall Meen, 24, of Newtonville is scheduled to appear in Lindsay court June 12.

The same day, an officer patrolling Garnet Graham beach in Fenelon Falls saw a man with an open bottle of alcohol, OPP say, leading to a charge of having open liquor in a public place under the Liquor Licence Act being laid against Matthew Bell, 27, of Cambridge.

Regardless of the above charges, Kawartha Lakes OPP may have gotten off easy, with the OPP reporting a total of seven people killed in seven separate crashes on OPP-patrolled roads and highways over Canada Road Safety Week last week.

“The number of tragic fatalities could have been much higher had we not increased our visibility and enforcement throughout the province. Sadly, even one death on our roads is one too many,” said OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis.

OPP laid about 8,000 charges during the Victoria Day long weekend alone. Of the total charges, 244 were for distracted driving, 6,358 were for speeding, 108 were for impaired driving and 698 others were for seat belt infractions.

Over Canada Road Safety Week, OPP laid 9,971 speeding charges, 1,262 seat belt charges, 837 distracted driving-related charges and 159 charges related to alcohol or drug impairment.

Why fewer car thefts doesn’t mean cheaper car insurance

Comprehensive insurance isn’t the most expensive part of your auto coverage 

  Dramatic declines in car theft will not likely translate into cheaper car insurance, drivers may be sad to learn.

Diligent police work and new anti-theft devices have cut thefts by half, or about 9,800 cars per year in the Greater Toronto Area, for instance.

But when it comes to insurance, nearly a third of all car owners already pay nothing because they have no theft coverage, and those who do, pay very little for it.

The average premium for what’s called comprehensive coverage — for everything from theft to broken glass — was only $107 per car in Toronto, Peel and southern York regions in 2010, down from $134 in 2006.

This compared with a total average premium of $1,877 per car in the Toronto area in 2010, according to the General Insurance Statistical Agency.

Yet, as high as those premiums were, insurers reported paying $643 more per car for injury accident benefits than the $755 they collected from premiums.

This left a staggering gap of $1.22 billion, enough to buy 40,700 cars at $30,000 each.

It’s still unknown whether changes to auto insurance and other measures implemented starting Sept. 1, 2010 — including a $3,500 cap on treatment of most minor injuries — will close that gap.

Bryan Yetman, former president of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario, said “the real challenge is eliminating fraud in injury-related claims. If that can be done it would have a much more significant impact on insurance rates in Ontario. Everyone can take an active role in stopping that if they know someone who is committing insurance fraud.”

According to Joel Baker, president of MSA Research Inc., a Toronto-based insurance industry analyst, “insurers are still justifiably wary (about reducing premiums) as there are still major uncertainties about trends in the Ontario auto insurance market.

“Accident benefit claims dropped in 2011, but third-party liability bodily injury claims are on the rise. In addition, there is concern about whatever the regulatory definition of catastrophic impairment will be, among other things.”

The provincial government is considering whether to change the definition of an injury so catastrophic that a person should be eligible for up to $1 million of accident benefit coverage.
The limit for less severe injuries can be $50,000, $100,000 or $1 million, depending on the option chosen by the driver.

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario announced recently that it had approved an application by Co-operators General Insurance Co. of Guelph to reduce rates for policies renewed after March 26 by a province-wide average of 1.94 per cent, and after April 15 by 4.46 per cent. Eight other insurers were to reduce rates by less than 1 per cent, while five others increased rates.

Torstar News

Insurance tips for home buyers

You’ve told your Facebook friends, your banker and your mom: You’ve found the house of your dreams. But have you told your insurance broker?

Henry Blumenthal thinks you should, even before you buy. The vice-president and chief underwriter of TD Insurance has seen homes with problems so bad they would have increased the buyer’s insurance premiums or even invalidated their home insurance.

“I was working on a file where a home inspection revealed that the basement had experienced water damage several times and it would cost over $75,000 to fix. After speaking to us, the potential buyer learned that the home was in a zone where we receive frequent water damage claims and, because of its location, would be susceptible to water damage even after the repairs,” Mr. Blumenthal says. “This is a perfect example of how an insurer’s unique insight helped a buyer make his decision. In this case, he decided not to purchase the home.”

Insurers are primarily looking at two factors when assessing risk: the frequency with which a particular problem occurs and the potential magnitude of the loss associated with the problem.

If you’re in the market for a new home, here’s some advice from Mr. Blumenthal that could help you make your buying decision:

Water is no friend to a home.
Water damage is the most common home insurance claim. For a better understanding of how water can get in and what it can mean for your insurance and your wallet, show your home inspection report to your insurer.

An alarm system will save you in more ways than one. Looking at a house with an alarm system in it? Not only will you and your home have added protection, but it can save you money with discounts on your home insurance premiums.

Accidents do happen.
Consider your liability exposure in a home. Is there a pool that isn’t properly fenced? What about uneven concrete that could cause someone to trip and fall? The more hazards there are on a property, the more your liability protection will cost.

Location, location, location.
Depending on the location of the home, your insurer can identify whether additional riders will be necessary to make sure you are adequately protected.

It needs a little work.
If you’re buying a fixer-upper, flag this for your insurer. When you add value to your home, your insurance policy needs to reflect the increased replacement coverage cost.

Don’t judge a book by its cover.
If your insurer isn’t comfortable with an item after reviewing the home inspection report, you should take a closer look before you buy.

Just a phone call away. When you’re making a purchase of this magnitude, take the time to do your research and speak to your insurance expert. You will have peace of mind knowing you are making a fully informed decision.

Dianne Nice
Globe and Mail Update
Published Monday, Jun. 28, 2010 6:00AM EDT
Last updated Tuesday, Jun. 29, 2010 3:34PM EDT

Is your home based business covered under your home insurance policy?

©Insurance Bureau of Canada. All Rights Reserved. A home business: great idea - do I need more insurance? Running a business out of your home? Watch this video to find out how this affects your insurance needs and make sure your business is protected.