Life and health insurance industry welcomes Supreme Court decision in
accident insurance case

TORONTO , Dec. 18 /CNW/ - The life and health insurance industry welcomes the Supreme Court of Canada's unanimous decision in the Co-operators Life Insurance Company vs. Gibbens case. "This outcome ensures that Canadians will continue to have access to affordable accident insurance," said, Frank Swedlove, President of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA).

The CLHIA, as an intervener in the case, took the position that the bodily harm or death arising from natural causes in the ordinary course of events does not qualify as an "accident", regardless of whether the individual expected to contract the disease or suffer harm as a result. Traditionally, courts in Canada and other major common-law jurisdictions have consistently upheld this view.

The Canadian life and health insurance industry provides a wide range of financial security products, including life insurance, annuities (including RRSPs, RRIFs and pensions) and supplementary health insurance, to about 26 million Canadians and their dependants. Established in 1894, the CLHIA is a voluntary association whose member companies account for 99 per cent of Canada's life and health insurance business.

For further information: Media enquiries: Wendy Hope, Vice President, External Relations, [phone] or [phone]