Auto Insurance
Auto Insurance in Ontario is Unique as compared to other Provinces in Canada. The Auto Policy Covers you for
Standard Auto Insurance Policy ( OAP 1 )
Auto insurance is compulsory in Ontario it covers you for following in Standard auto Policy
- Third-Party Liability Coverage
- Statutory Accident Benefits Coverage
- Direct Compensation – Property Damage (DC-PD) Coverage
- Uninsured Automobile Coverage
- Specified Perils Coverage
- Comprehensive Coverage
- Collision or Upset Coverage
- All Perils Coverage
RiskCare offers many ways to save money and keep it where it belongs: in your pocket. Take advantage of discounts, bundles and benefits that can add up to big savings in the long run:
- Ownership of the Cars determine in some companies how many policies will be setup in a household and discounts vary due to ownership of the cars, so before buying cars discuss with your registered Insured Broker how to setup the Policy
- Multi-Vehicle Discount If you have more than one vehicle in household then you may qualify for additional discount on your Auto Insurance Policy
- Car & Home/ Rented Dwelling Save with Combined Policy Discount- your home insurance and get other advantages when you combine your home and car insurance.
- Good Student Discount Some companies offer discount for being Good Student if you Scored more than 80% marks in previous semester.
- Winter Tire Discount If you’ve got a dedicated set of 4 winter tires that you use on your car between in Winters, you’re eligible to save up to 5% on your car insurance.
- Anti-theft Discount If your car has an electronic anti-theft device (like intensive engraving or a tracking system), you’re eligible to save up to 10% on your comprehensive coverage insurance.
We have complied information here to understand the system of Claims, Fault Determination Rules etc., Please remember “knowledge reduces Stress”
a. At time of Accident
As per Law at the time of accident you have to follow the following Rules
STEP 1 Stop. If your vehicle is involved in an accident and you don’t stop, you may be subject to criminal prosecution.
STEP 2 Call the police if anyone is injured, if the total damage to all the vehicles involved appears to be more than $2,000, or you suspect that any of the other drivers involved are guilty of a Criminal Code offence (such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol). Follow the instructions given to you by the emergency operator. Police will arrive as soon as possible. Do not try to move anyone injured in the accident — you may aggravate their injuries.
If no one is injured and total damage to all the vehicles involved appears to be less than $2,000, call a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours. These centres are police facilities created to assist motorists in reporting motor vehicle accidents. At the reporting centre you will complete a police report, and damage to the vehicle will be photographed. Visit: www.accsupport.com or call (416) 745-3301 to locate the Collision Reporting Centre nearest to you.
STEP 3 If it is safe to do so, get out of your car. If you have access to a digital camera or a cell phone, you should use it to take pictures of the scene.
STEP 4 When it is safe, move your vehicle to the side of the road, out of traffic. If your vehicle cannot be driven, turn on your hazard lights or use cones, warning triangles or flares, as appropriate.
STEP 5 Record information. Fill in the printable Accident Worksheet to help you remember what information is required. You can download the Accident Worksheet here . You may also use your cell phone to audio record as much information as possible.
STEP 6 Call your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. Inform them what happened and ask for next steps. For more information on filing an insurance claim with your insurance company, visit the After an Auto Accident: Understanding the Claims Process page.
The above Rules are published on FSCO Website and the above links are important to remember. After accident the fault determination rules are used to determine the driver at fault. The ” Fault Determination” is governed by the Fault Determination Rules as per R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 668, We have provided below the rules for determination of fault
FAULT DETERMINATION RULES
R.R.O. 1990, REGULATION 668 – (Please click on the link above)
- As difficult as it may seem, it is important that you remain calm.
- Do not argue with other drivers and passengers. Save your story for the police.
- Do not voluntarily assume liability or take responsibility, sign statements regarding fault, or promise to pay for damage at the scene of the accident.
- Be watchful for unauthorized tow truck operators. To learn more about tow truck scams, visit FSCO’s Tips For Avoiding Tow Truck and Storage Scams.
Be prepared for any emergency on the road
Always keep a basic vehicle first aid or emergency kit in the trunk of your vehicle. You can easily create an emergency kit for your vehicle by filling a plastic storage container with the following:
- pen and paper;
- FSCO’s Accident Worksheet. Download it here;
- a basic first aid kit;
- a disposable camera;
- emergency road flares, warning triangles or cones;
- a fire extinguisher (A-B-C Type);
- a flashlight and extra batteries;
- bottled water;
- booster cables;
- a tire repair kit and pump;
- a small tool kit;
- a towel;
- a pair of work gloves;
- some type of non-perishable food;
- hand wipes; and
- a thermal blanket.
Reporting Fraud
If you suspect that you may be a victim or target of a scam or fraud, you can help put an end to the scam or fraud by reporting it.
- Call your local police and your insurance company to inform them and ask for next steps
- You can also submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-TIPS).
- You may also file a report to FSCO’s Auto Insurance Fraud Hotline or call 1-855-5TIP-NOW.
If you want legal advice, the Law Society of Upper Canada has services to help you find a legal professional.There are a number of other organizations that you can contact for help.
What should be done if You are not Satisfied with the Insurance Company’s Claim Settlement
There are various mechanisms in Insurance Act which we can use in case of any dispute with the Insurance Company
Know your rights
Consider These 4 Steps to Resolve a Dispute
If you have a complaint about your insurer or insurance professional, here’s an overview of options to help ensure your concerns are addressed. Please note that dispute practices vary from one province to another.
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- Get more information from your insurer.
- Ask your broker, agent, insurance representative or claims adjuster for a more in-depth explanation regarding your concern. Insurance policies are legal contracts and the rights and responsibilities of both parties involved are written within the agreement however sometimes misunderstandings arise.
- If you have further questions, ask to speak with the insurer’s claims manager/supervisor.
- For general questions you can contact the IBC Consumer Information Centre (CIC). IBC’s CIC staff have years of insurance experience and can answer questions about:
- Technicalities of policy wordings and coverage
- Factors that could impact your decisions when buying, renewing or updating insurance coverage
- How to proceed with a complaint
- How to find information about a Complaint Liaison Officer or Ombudsperson
- Contact your insurance company’s Complaints Liaison Officer or Ombudsperson. All licensed insurers have a dispute resolution process and the person assigned to make sure the dispute resolution process is enforced within the organization. That person is typically called Complaints Liaison Officer or Ombudsperson. Note that the role of Complaints Liaison Officer or Ombudsperson is defined by the provincial regulator.
- Get more information from your insurer.
When you make a complaint:
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- Make your concern clear and clearly state what you expect
- Have all pertinent information and documentation available
- Allow time for your insurer’s ombudsperson to investigate and answer your complaint
- Make sure you keep a record of the people you talked to and what was said.
- Use the General Insurance OmbudService (GIO). If your matter is not resolved with your insurer’s complaints liaison officer, request a final position letter and contact GIO. GIO is an independent, regionally based consumer dispute-resolution system for the insurance industry. Its members include most federally licensed and several provincially incorporated insurers. GIO helps you and your insurer resolve differences about claims-related matters and interpretation of policy coverage in a fair, independent and impartial environment
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- Contact a federal or provincial institutions listed below. If your dispute is not resolved by GIO or if your insurer is not a member of GIO, get in touch with a Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.
FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS | RESPONSIBILITIES |
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) | FCAC protects and educates consumers in the area of financial services. FCAC oversees financial institutions to ensure they comply with federal consumer protection measures. |
Property and Casualty Insurance Compensation Corporation (PACICC) | PACICC protects consumers in the rare case of insurance company insolvency. |
Ontario – Financial Services Commission of Ontario | How to Resolve a Complaint About Insurance |
We have tried to accumulate Auto Policy and Auto Claims related information on this page, you should read it carefully and investigate before you decide to start the legal process in case of a disputed claim. If you have any questions regarding any claim or the claims mechanism please write to us at claims@riskcare.ca and we will try to help you with more information.