Ontario Auto insurance premium increases again, a structural flaw in the system

David Marahsll, Ontario’s auto insurance adviser, in his report Fair Benefits Fairly Delivered: A Review of the Auto Insurance System in Ontario said an average auto insurance premium in Ontario is $1,458, which is almost 55 percent higher than the average of all other Canadian jurisdictions.

The report further said, “Overall, Ontario has one of the lowest levels of auto accidents and fatalities in Canada and the most expensive auto insurance premiums."

"What is more disappointing is that while the number of automobile accidents in Ontario – especially very serious ones – have consistently come down, the cost of claims has consistently gone up.," the report added.

"Ontario also has one of the least effective insurance systems in Canada. It is filled with disputes and inefficiencies, and a very high percentage of premiums are being used to pay experts and lawyers and not going directly to injured persons” it said.

Marshall’s report also said that the insurance system is reported to favour cash settlements in lieu of care and that settlement of majority of claims often lasts more than a year and about one-third of overall benefit costs is spent on competing expert opinions, lawyers’ fees instead of going to treatment.

“Simple minor injury sprains and strains (80 per cent of claims) often take over a year to settle and incur high medical costs. -- Instead of
a system that helps accident victims recover from their injuries, a significant portion of the system has been diverted into a cash
settlement system in lieu of care. Each year about one third of benefit costs, some $1.4 billion – about $7 billion over five years –
is being paid for competing expert opinions, lawyers’ fees and insurer costs to defend claims – instead of going to treatment of injured
parties.”

Marshall recommended, in his April report, to adopt an approach based on care and not on cost and to explore better ways of caring for
catastrophically injured people and said: “No one in the system is actively managing medical care for accident victims. There are clear indications that accident victims are not receiving appropriate care, they are taking longer to recover and many report that they have developed permanent impairments from simple soft tissue injuries.”

He also stressed, in his recommendations, more transparency of contingency fees of lawyers.

Ontario’s Finance Minister Charles Sousa said the government in the coming months, will hold consultations on Marshall's report
recommendations.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

Auto Collision in Ontario: wikipedia