Auto Insurance in Newfoundland and Labrador: Working toward a solution for all drivers
ST. JOHN'S, Sept. 4, 2018 /CNW/ - This week, the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities (PUB) resumes hearings in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), as requested by the NL government. The purpose of these hearings is to review and report on a number of issues regarding auto insurance, including the reasons behind increasing claims costs and options to reduce costs.
Below is a letter that Amanda Dean, Insurance Bureau of Canada's (IBC's) Vice-President, Atlantic, sent to the Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs). In the letter, Dean outlines the issue of rising auto insurance costs that the drivers in the province face and presents IBC's recommended steps toward a solution.
Dean's Letter to MHAs
Drivers in Newfoundland and Labrador pay too much for auto insurance. We want to be a part of fixing that problem.
Auto insurance claims are too high relative to the premiums that are taken in. Once insurers pay provincial and municipal taxes; broker fees or agent salaries; building costs; and other operational fees, auto insurance is a losing proposition. This was recently confirmed by Oliver Wyman, an actuarial firm hired by the government to research the industry's profit and loss. The insurers who are left standing in the province are trying to hang on in order to serve their customers. To be honest, the industry fully recognizes that this fact means nothing to drivers – nor should it. However, the impact of that fact is felt by everyone who drives within the province. The good news is that there is a pressure release valve to this problem.
Government Legislation & Regulation
The insurance industry can only sell the auto insurance product that is regulated by the government. Then, it can only sell that product for the price that is regulated by the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities in Newfoundland and Labrador (PUB).
That is why IBC, on behalf of our members who are the insurers who write auto insurance policies in this province, continues to participate in the auto insurance reform process that is currently being carried out by the PUB. Drivers in this province need relief. Real change is needed in order to avoid increasing premiums.
Our Recommendations
Implement a minor injury damages cap: A cap amount of $5,000 with annual inflation adjustments, along with a definition of minor injury that reflects the prevailing medical literature. These are injuries that resolve within days, weeks, or months. Additionally, the amount of the cap is over and above lost wages and medical bills. Features of this recommendation have already been implemented elsewhere in Canada;
Enhance accident benefits: To bring NL in line with neighbouring provinces, we suggest making accident benefits mandatory, and increasing the benefit amounts to match the neighbouring Atlantic Provinces. We are also suggesting to establish pre-approved evidence-based treatment protocols for minor injuries which would see people begin treatment quickly;
Make it easier to repair and replace damaged vehicles: a direct compensation property damage (DCPD) model would mean that regardless of who is at fault, the customer's insurer would repair their vehicle in a collision. However, for rating purposes, fault would still be assigned to the at-fault party; and
Change the rate regulation process so that it is quicker and less costly: This too will work toward making the product more affordable to offer for Newfoundland and Labrador drivers. In spite of the best efforts of those who regulate, the current system is incredibly costly. This translates into price shock for consumers and deters new entrants.
How We Solve this Problem
The bottom line is that the challenges with the auto insurance system in Newfoundland and Labrador will not go away without serious change.
The Board of commissioners of Public Utilities of Newfoundland and Labrador has undertaken an incredibly extensive process aimed at receiving as much public feedback as is possible. When the PUB prepares its report, IBC and our member companies are hopeful that the government will make real change to the auto insurance system to benefit all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who drive.
As a member of the House of Assembly, your understanding of this issue is important. I urge you to reach out and have a conversation if you are confused about what you are hearing. Frankly, when I hear numbers about the insurance industry, from sources outside the industry, I am confused too.
However, you have the opportunity to fight for pressure relief for your constituents, and the facts are readily available – let's fix the auto insurance system and bring pocket book relief to the drivers in this province.
Quote
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve affordable auto insurance. With these hearings, IBC is pleased that the government has taken the time to understand the issues affecting the system that have been driving costs higher for NL drivers. The auto insurance system needs to focus on consumers. Auto insurance, especially when it comes to helping those with collisions and injuries, needs to make people well while also being affordable.
– Amanda Dean, Vice-President, Atlantic, IBC
Key Facts
- NL has fewer insurers offering auto insurance than other provinces do, but that isn't the main problem.
- In NL, the top-four auto insurance groups that insure private passenger vehicles make up 85% of the market. In the Maritimes, the top four make up 50%, and in the rest of Canada, 55%. This means that consumers in NL have fewer options if they want to shop around for the best product at the best price.
- Over the past five years, NL insurers of private passenger vehicles have had an average return-on-equity of –6.8%, the worst in Canada.
Additional Resources
Spokesperson Available
Amanda Dean is available for interviews before or during the PUB hearings. To arrange to speak with her, call or email Steve Kee (contact details at the end of this release).
About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.
P&C insurance touches the lives of nearly every Canadian and plays a critical role in keeping businesses safe and the Canadian economy strong. It employs more than 126,000 Canadians, pays $9 billion in taxes and has a total premium base of $54.7 billion.
For media releases and more information, visit IBC's Media Centre at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau and @IBC_Atlantic or like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC.
If you require more information, IBC spokespeople are available to discuss the details in this media release.
SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada
To schedule an interview, please contact: Steve Kee, Director, Media & Digital Communications, 416-362-2031 ext. 4387 (office), 416-841-5669 (after hours), [email protected]
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