Eves
government takes action to control auto insurance costs
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE, July 10 /CNW/
- Ernie Eves, Ontario's Premier, released the government's white paper
today and called for public input on how to address rising automobile
insurance premiums. Eves also shared the white paper with his fellow
premiers at the Annual Premiers' Conference in Charlottetown.
"All drivers are hit in the pocketbook when auto insurance
premiums increase," Eves said. "We will take measures to restore
rate stability and we will undertake any action necessary - including
capping, freezing or rolling back rates - to ensure that drivers see the
impact of these changes on their premiums."
The white paper, Automobile Insurance Affordability Plan for
Ontario: Next Steps, proposes several new measures to keep drivers'
premiums down. It follows the government's announcement last week of new
regulations aimed at addressing costs pressures, fraud and abuse, while
enhancing access to the comprehensive benefit package available to auto
accident victims.
The government is inviting public comment on key initiatives
designed to contain the rising cost of lawsuits while improving access to
needed benefits -including:
- amending the
threshold at which an injured person can sue for pain and suffering to
focus on severe physical, rather than mental or
psychological injuries;
- expanding an injured
person's right to sue for excess health care expenses;
- eliminating the
deductible for pain and suffering awards over
$100,000; and - providing
protection for persons who may be sued as a result of an automobile
accident, even though they were not present at the accident.
The white paper also proposes improved interprovincial
collaboration in such areas as data sharing, addressing theft and fraud
and exploring the establishment of national standard practices in the auto
insurance industry.
"I am looking forward to working with my fellow premiers to
deal with the rising costs of claims and lawsuits and make auto insurance
fair and affordable across the country," Eves said.
Commissioner of Auto Insurance Rob Sampson, Ted Chudleigh,
Parliamentary Assistant to the Finance Minister and MPP Wayne Wettlaufer
will review public input on the white paper and report to Finance Minister
Janet Ecker by October 2003.
Automobile Insurance Affordability Plan for Ontario: Next Steps is
available
at www.fin.gov.on.ca, the Ministry of Finance website, by clicking on the
Consultations button. Printed copies are also available from Publications
Ontario.
Interested members of the public are asked to submit written
comments by September 15, 2003 to:
Auto Insurance Review Committee
Frost Building South
7 Queen's Park Crescent,
Toronto ON M7A 1Y7
