Hmmmm - Insurance Companies Endorse Ontario Auto Insurance Changes
December 11, 2009Remember Arsenio Hall used to have a bit on his show about "things that make you go hmmmmmm"? One of those moments happened to me as I was surfing the web and entered the Insurance Bureau of Canada's Web site. Interestingly - while consumer advocates, newspapers, plaintiff's lawyers and others appear to condemn the proposed changes as reducing auto insurance coverage in Ontario - the insurance companies are happy with the proposed changes to accident benefits in Ontario. Why would you suppose an auto insurance company likes changes to the accident benefits in Ontario? Could it be they see significantly higher profits? Could it be they see less risk? Could it be that the changes do in fact favour insurance companies at the expense of Ontario drivers coverage? I believe it is for all of those reasons.
You know, when attending private mediations where insurers and injured persons attempt to resolve their issues through an impartial mediator - the opening comments of the mediator almost always suggest to the injured person that the "appropriate" settlement resolution at a mediation leaves both sides feeling they gave up a little too much to settle. If the insurance company feels they paid too much and the injured person feels they received too little - the settlement is usually (according to the mediator) the correct amount. Why then - with these proposed changes to accident benefits in Ontario do the people representing the driver's feel the changes drastically and negatively impact on insurance coverage while the insurance companies "applaud" the proposed changes (see the news release from the Insurance Bureau of Canada news release from November, 2009 www.ibc.ca/en/Media_Centre/News_Releases/2009/11-02-2009.asp )
I know that as a personal injury lawyer it might appear that it is in my own best interest to see more benefits available to people. The reality, however, is that I would prefer that all accident victims received appropriate and timely medical and rehabilitation services and appropriate compensation for their injuries without the crap they must go through now. If that happened in a manner that elimintated my ability to earn a living representing accident victims I would be thrilled. Unfortunately, with the Ontario Liberal Government apparently getting into bed (or is it staying in bed?) with the insurance companies - it is likely that my client base will increase - not decrease - as a result of the proposed changes. You can be assured that insurance defence lawyers and plaintiff personal injury lawyers will not likely lose money in fees as a result of the insurance changes. The insurance companies will most likely see increased profits. So who is it that will be hurt? Could it be the Ontario driver? Hmmmmmmm.
If you have been injured in an accident and need assistance Injury Alliance can help . We will help you find a lawyer with the particular expertise to help you. I would also encourage you to voice your displeasures to your Provincial Member of Parliament, especially if they happen to be Liberal and feel free to leave a comment on my blog.
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