CHANGES TO THE ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE LEGISLATION

EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2010

The following are changes to the Ontario Automobile Insurance Legislation. The amendments will come into effect on September 1, 2010.  Neinstein and Associates is providing seminars on the changes.  Please contact Jinny at jinny@neinstein.com for further information.

POSITIVE CHANGES:

• Elimination of the deductible in fatality claims
• No reductions to the Accident Benefits available to Catastrophically injured claimants
• Expansion of the definition of Catastrophic impairment to include single limb amputees

NEGATIVE CHANGES:

• Reduction in the interest rate payable on overdue Accident Benefits from 2% to 1%
• Availability of in home assessments would be limited to seriously injured claimants and would only be used to evaluate their need for attendant care services and home modifications
• Elimination of Section 42.1 of the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule which allows claimants to obtain an assessment from their own medical specialist to comment on an Insurerв_Ts Examination
• Medical and Rehabilitation limits reduced from $100,000.00 to $50,000.00 for non-catastrophically injured claimants
• Attendant Care limits reduced from $72,000.00 to $36,000.00
• Elimination of Housekeeping and Caregiver Benefits
• Future care cost reports would not be an expense recoverable under the SABS
• Assessment costs and the fee for completion of forms would be capped at $2000.00 and $200.00 respectively в_” in addition these amounts would be deducted from a claimants Medical and Rehabilitation benefits
• Claimants who suffer minor injuries would be entitled to $3500.00 worth of treatment and assessments

SOURCE:

http://news.ontario.ca/mof/en/2009/11/ontarios-proposed-auto-insurance-reforms.html