Insurance News - Saturday, September 28, 2013

Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Saturday, September 28, 2013:

• NDP claims Liberals have backtracked on a promise to lower the profit benchmark to 9% (FSCO has set it at 11%) and now the government will have problems reducing rates by 15. 
• Court of Appeals of Ontario confirms that it’s illegal to hold a cellphone while driving even if it’s not transmitting and no matter how briefly it’s in a driver’s hand.
• WiFi-enabled vehicles are coming to Canada.  So being able to better access the Internet on smartphones, tablets and laptops in cars is a good thing?
• Auto insurers with a "wait and see" strategy for usage-based insurance could end up underpricing bad risks that UBI insurers will avoid.
• More evidence that self-driving cars are on the way: Nissan’s self-driving car, the LEAF, has been granted a license for public roads in Japan.
• Michigan House of Representatives bill would introduce electronic proof of insurance as a mechanism to combat fraudulent insurance slips.

Insurance News - Thursday, September 26, 2013

Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Thursday, September 26, 2013:

• Allstate introduces new mobile app that lets some customers settle auto claims by submitting photos of their damaged vehicle using a smartphone.
• Woman struck by car, lands on hood - ruled an 'occupant' of the car by Ohio appeals court in favouring victim.
• With insurers not able to use gender in calculating premiums under new European Union regulations, the use of telematics to determine premiums to become critical.
• Ontario now allowing drivers to renew licences online ­- will be able to use their existing licence photos for an additional five-year renewal cycle, meaning they will only need to renew in person every ten years.
• New York launching "Texting Zones" along New York State Thruway and Highways for drivers to pull over and use their cell phones.

Insurance News - Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Wednesday, September 25, 2013:

• California regulators have made technology-based ride sharing services legal in the state including minimum insurance requirements, obviously the taxi industry is not happy.
• How advanced are telematics in the U.S.? Allstate’s driver tracking program has now logged a billion miles. 
• Washington State man sentenced to 6 months in prison for selling more than 950 counterfeit vehicle airbags on eBay and Craigslist.
• NDP Leader Andrea Horwath accuses insurance industry of jacking up auto premiums to compensate for mandated 15% rate reduction.
• While the first self-driving cars are coming soon, overcoming motorists’ distrust of them may be a challenge.
• One reason is that self-driving cars are progressing faster than rules of road.  A driver could be charged with distracted driving if not paying attention to the road.

Insurance News - Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Tuesday, September 24, 2013:

• What would happen if your self-driving car was to cause a crash in Ontario? Under Ontario's current system you would be at-fault which is no different than if you caused a crash using your cruise-control but your insurer will pay.
• While the first self-driving cars are coming soon, overcoming motorists’ distrust of them may be a challenge.
• With insurers no longer able to use gender as a rating factor in calculating premiums under new EU regulations, the use of telematics to become critical.
• Toronto Sun article suggests GISA numbers show Ontario’s auto insurers can easily afford a 15% reduction in premiums over 2 years.
• NDP Leader Andrea Horwath accuses insurance industry of jacking up auto premiums.

Mike Colle Introduces Bill For New Drivers And Minor Accidents

Liberal MPP Mike Colle who is familiar with the auto insurance file while Parliamentary Assistant to former Finance Minister Greg Sorbara introduced a Bill, the Insurance Amendment Act (Minor Accidents and New Drivers), 2013 on September 18, 2013.   

Bill 100 if passed with require that a risk classification system used by an insurer to determine rates for auto insurance could not consider minor accidents and would provide for lower rates for new drivers by crediting new drivers, in certain circumstances, with additional years of driving experience.

Minor accidents are accidents that result in $2,500 or less in damages, no injuries or death, and that did not result in an insurer making any payments that were not fully reimbursed by an insured driver.

A new driver is disqualified from receiving additional years of credit in a number of circumstances, including if the driver has been found to be more than 25% at fault in a claim arising from an accident, has been convicted of certain driving offences or has had his or her driver’s licence suspended for non-payment of certain fines.  The Bill is similar to an amendment passed in New Brunswick for new drivers called "First Chance" as part of reforms in 2005.

The Bill would reduce rates for new drivers and would prevent rate increases for anyone at-fault in an accident and paid the cost of repairs out of pocket as long as the repairs are less than $2,500.

On August 24, 2013, the Minister of Finance, the Hon. Charles Sousa, issued a policy statement that directed FSCO to review ways to “treat first-time drivers fairly” and to study the mandatory collision reporting threshold as a “potential cost reduction” initiative. 

Insurance News - Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Wednesday, September 18, 2013:

• Allstate says Usage-Based Insurance is delivering savings to 7 out of 10 drivers.  I just wonder  how long can insurers promise no increase to higher risk drivers? 
• To enjoy driverless cars, first kill all the lawyers. Don't shoot the messenger but will liability concerns slow down the introduction of this new technology?
• Michigan establishes task force to combat fraudulent use of auto insurance cards which is estimated to be at over 16%.
• Former clinic owner pleads guilty to posing as doctor and treating patients.  Licensing health care clinics will address this type of fraud.
• Fraud can come from just about anywhere in the system. A Florida insurance company employee has been convicted of fraud for diverting claims payments for her own personal use.

Insurance News - Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Tuesday, September 17, 2013:

• So there is a new term now for distracted walking, 'wexters’ and they are a hazard for drivers when they step off the curb.
• A Google Street View car in Indonesia was involved in collision after the company boasted that the vehicles had driven 200,000 accident-free miles.
• Does customer loyalty drive auto insurance rates up because they are reluctant to shop around?
• Pay As You Drive programs can be used to accurately infer your destination, a long-time concern of privacy advocates.  Is the public properly protected?
• California is considering regulating rideshare programs and proposing that drivers carry some form of commercial auto insurance coverage.

Insurance News - Saturday, September 14, 2013

Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Saturday, September 14, 2013:

• Michigan Bill would remove requirement to purchase medical coverage for senior drivers with Medicare.
• One-third of Canadian and U.S. insurers feel inadequately protect from fraud according to FICO survey.
• Nokia a rival of Google is teaming up with Mercedes-Benz to also develop a self-driving car.  Along with Nissan,Audi and Toyota the race is on to be the first out with a robotic car.
• Speaking of driverless cars, will businesses consider a robot instead of hiring a delivery person? 
• The Saskatchewan privacy commissioner says SGI collects too information. The insurer disagrees.
• The strange tale of an Uber car crash and what it means for the future of ride-sharing and auto insurance.
• New Jersey has proposed legislation to allow police to check cellphones for texts without warrants after an accident.

Insurance News - Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Tuesday, September 10, 2013:

• Sure lower liability limits will save drivers money but only until you have an accident, read this story.
• Do telematics devices really save consumers money? 
• Drivers with a past accident are 88% more likely to have another accident in the future.
• Google's self-driving cars are going to create new liability quandaries - may need to rewrite Ontario's Fault Determination Rules.
• A.M. Best Special Report: Despite Challenges, Canadian Insurance Industry Remains Profitable.
• Women behind the wheel behave almost as badly as me. 
• Queens Park returned for the fall session on Monday and auto insurance rates sure to be one of the issues to dominate.
• In fact on day 1, Ontario NDP calls for quicker action on reducing auto insurance rates but it doesn't appear the government is at risk of being brought down.

Auto Static

There is no escaping talk of telematics these days and what that may mean for automobile insurance. But will telematics put an end to age and gender discrimination?

Telematics has been one of the most talked about issues within the automobile insurance sector over the past several years. Recently Desjardins General Insurance Group launched Ajusto, the first widely available automobile insurance program in Ontario that offers savings to drivers centered on usage-based insurance (UBI) technology. This is ground-breaking territory in Canada despite the fact that pay-as-you-drive insurance has been available in the United States and Europe for some time.

Automotive telematics refers to the technology that uses hardware and software applications with remote communication devices, such as cellphones, GPS and wireless devices, to obtain information about vehicles. Automotive telematics has been in use, mostly in high-end vehicles, for quite some time. But today newer technologies are helping unfold many opportunities for all stakeholders, and more importantly, in emerging economies.

Telematics enables vehicle owners or customers to constantly be in touch with service providers through incorporated software and hardware in their vehicles. In turn, service providers, too, can offer a host of new services based on their customers' preferences.

Also, data sent remotely from a vehicle allows stakeholders such as automakers, dealers, fleet managers and insurance providers to build better customer-relationship strategies.

There have been tomes written on the benefits of telematics and UBI, including lowering premiums for good drivers¸ reducing traffic congestion, allowing parents to monitor teenage drivers and combating auto insurance fraud.

What we have not heard much about is that UBI will allow insurers to begin to move away from historical rating criteria such as age and gender, both of which have been contentious over the years.

HISTORY LESSON

In 1983, Michael Bates alleged that he was discriminated against because Zurich Insurance charged him higher premiums for his automobile insurance than a young, single, female driver with the same driving record or than drivers over age 25. Bates alleged that the rate classification system discriminated by grouping drivers by age, sex and marital status and determining their premiums based on these factors.

Moving forward to 1992, a majority ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada found that Zurich did not discriminate against Bates contrary to the Ontario's Human Rights Code by charging him higher premiums for automobile insurance because of his age, sex and marital status.

The high court reasoned that charging higher premiums to young, unmarried, male drivers was discriminatory and contravenes the Human Rights Code. However, section 21 of the code permits discrimination in automobile insurance because of age, sex, marital status, family status or handicap, and the court determined statistical evidence showed that young, male drivers are involved in proportionately more - and more serious - accidents than other drivers.

The insurance industry, however, was not totally absolved by the Supreme Court ruling. The high court encouraged the industry to begin looking more closely at non-discriminatory alternatives in rate-setting in the automobile insurance industry. It ruled that the insurance industry could continue to use discriminatory criteria such as age and marital status as a bona fide means of assessing risk, but that the industry could not do so indefinitely.

To a certain extent, insurers have used the Bates v. Zurich decision as a green light to base automobile insurance premiums on age, sex, marital status and other socioeconomic factors where statistical evidence supports higher rates. It may be a matter of time before there is another court challenge.

However, the next time it would be difficult to defend the existing practices now that non-discriminatory alternatives actually exist.

CLEAR TREND

The move away from rating based on age, sex and marital status has already begun. It is prohibited to use gender in considering rates for automobile insurance in five provinces, with Alberta only allowing its use for private policies, not through the government-mandated scheme. Ontario, with the largest share of the privately delivered automobile insurance market in Canada, still uses age, sex and marital status in determining premiums.

In the U.S., California recently joined 11 other states that prohibit gender rating in the individual health insurance market. Consumer groups south of the border have been battling insurance regulators to prohibit or restrict non-driving factors in setting automobile insurance premiums. As it stands, insurers have been able to maintain the status quo while developing UBI programs that provide an alternative.

The European Union recently outlawed gender-based insurance premiums. The European Court of Justice's ruling, which follows a 10-year legal battle against the proposals by insurers, will put an end to women getting better deals on car insurance.

The ruling has increased pressure on the industry to adopt better discriminating factors, like those available through telematics.

THE HOME FRONT

It is not just rating based on age, sex and marital status that is under the microscope, but other socioeconomic factors like credit scoring as well. Ontario, Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador have banned the use of credit scoring in auto insurance as a result of pressure from politicians. Politicians, supported by insurance brokers, have begun to turn their attention to the home insurance market, where the use of credit information is also used.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada recently released a report stating it did not object to the use of credit information for purposes of assessing insurance risk. It was noted section 8 of Ontario's Consumer Reporting Act confirms that credit information may be disclosed for the purpose of underwriting insurance. However, the commissioner also noted there is no obvious link between credit information and insurance premiums - and little transparency in the use of credit information.

So while the use of age, sex and marital status, as well as other socioeconomic factors, in rating drivers has been upheld by courts and tribunals, their continued use attracts criticism and, in some cases, legislative action.

Although UBI is still not available to many drivers, insurers who are considering moving towards UBI ensures that predictive criteria continue to be available as governments prohibit or restrict traditional criteria. In Canada, automobile insurers are keeping a close watch on developments at Desjardins.

Insurance News - Saturday, September 7, 2013

Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Saturday, September 7, 2013:

• The 2014 Honda Odyssey is the first minivan to receive the top safety pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 
• If insurers guarantee drivers’ premiums would not rise, 89% of U.S. drivers open to UBI. In the problem is that in the long-term the promise of no premium increases is not sustainable.
• It seems an Iowa woman had a blood alcohol content of .341. Is that even possible?
• Audi plans to unveil mobile app that automatically finds a vacant parking spot, sans driver.
• Self-driving cars: Have we really thought this through?
• Self-driving cars face roadblocks - HTA requires licensed drivers, who is at fault when 2 self-driving cars collide...
•  If you've been wondering what it takes to make a self-driving car...

Insurance News - Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Wednesday, September 4, 2013:

• It seems all these new electronic proof of insurance laws are confusing police. What to do if the driver doesn't let an officer take their smartphone back to the squad car?
• Sprint launches technology that blocks a driver’s cell phone from sending and receiving text messages and surfing the Web.
• A New Jersey auto insurance group has released results of a study that offers some interesting new insights into the distracted driving behaviors of young New Jersey drivers.
• GM also claims that almost-driverless cars will be out by 2020.
• Europe wants to jump on the Big Brother tactics by limiting a car's top speed to the posted speed limit--no matter the driver's input.
• Another worry regarding self-driving cars - hackers find ways to hijack car computers and take control.

Insurance News - Sunday, September 1, 2013

Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Sunday, September 1, 2013:

• Google’s $258 million investment in the car-hailing app company Uber made headlines last week.  Google’s interest in Uber is likely connected to their ongoing investments in driverless or autonomous cars, and it shows that the potential of this technology is much greater than is commonly realized.
• Transport Canada says deaths from distracted driving up 17% over last 5 years. News like that makes you look forward to seeing self-driving cars on the road. 
• Can smartphones prevent crashes? That's what the future may hold as Honda demonstrated a car equipped with dedicated short-range communications technology that can detect a pedestrian with a smartphone that has the same tech installed.
• U.S. Appeals Court sides with insurer in New York case where policyholder claimed optional benefit was misleading.  Policyholder thought he was getting in excess of the standard $50,000 in coverage instead of expanded coverage for other vehicles and passengers.
• Missouri is considering an uninsured motorist bill that would take away the right from uninsured drivers to sue an at-fault driver for non economic damages.
• ICBC is looking for a 4.9% rate increase for it basic auto insurance coverage but says much of the increase will be offset by rate reductions to optional coverage.