The lawsuits allege that these auto insurers treated thousands of accident victims unfairly over more than 8 years, and deliberately shortchanged them on their entitlements under the government-designed auto insurance scheme. The court actions seek millions of dollars in compensation for affected victims and a court order stopping the practice.
The Province of Ontario is also a defendant in each of the class action lawsuits. The claim alleges that the Province, through the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), the body responsible for policing the insurance industry, turned a blind eye to unfair practices, even when they knew that victims were being denied benefits.
In Ontario, every vehicle owner is forced to buy government designed auto insurance. The terms and conditions are set by the government, but the insurance itself is delivered by private sector insurance companies. FSCO is supposed to make sure that these private insurers follow the law and treat individuals fairly.
The government auto insurance policy provides for the provision of certain medical and rehab benefits to individuals harmed in car crashes, known as statutory accident benefits (SABs). To keep premiums low, accident benefits are subject to restrictions depending on the severity of injury. By law, companies selling auto insurance must provide these benefits.
In 2010, the harmonized sales tax (HST) was introduced. HST is payable on many of the accident benefits. Even before HST came into effect, FSCO directed insurance companies to pay HST in addition to accident benefits and not to include HST in the calculation of any restrictions to benefits. Over the next eight years, they repeated this direction over and over again in formal FSCO Guidelines.
FSCO has been absolutely clear from the beginning of the HST that HST is not a benefit and any HST payable for benefits must not be deducted from the benefits available to the injured person. FSCO has repeated that direction time and again.
The named insurance companies ignored the government and the regulator. Where they can, they refuse to pay the HST and they use HST to wrongfully lower benefits resulting in victims receiving less care. For this reason, the Class Actions were started.
FSCO was aware of and acknowledged the insurance companies’ devious practices, but stood by while innocent victims suffered.
The lawyers at Murray Ralston prosecuting the class action believe that this is a wide spread industry practice and are investigating other insurance companies. A toll-free hotline has been established to receive complaints relating to any insurer who has wrongful reduced benefits by the amount of the HST. The number to call is (866) 540-2747
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Class Action Appeal Decision
January 21, 2020Aviva Insurance Company of Canada
Accident victims denied millions in benefits by insurers, lawsuits allege
Lawyers launching court actions against auto insurance companies in Ontario
Six auto insurance giants named in lawsuits alleging they withheld millions in benefits
Class action lawsuit alleges insurance companies breaking the law and the province doing nothing to stop them
Insurers accused of counting taxes when they calculate the limits of benefits, but not when they pay the claimants.
Imagine that, insurance companies being accused of gouging claimants. I'm shocked.
Accident victims denied millions in benefits by insurers, lawsuits allege https://t.co/RNWUrxc3F2 via @torontostar— rjbrennan (@rjbrennan) November 1, 2018
This story raises allegations relevant to millions of car accident victims who could be unwittingly charged HST, or have their medical car accident benefits eaten away by tax, against the repeated direction of Ontario's insurance watchdog. https://t.co/RnHozFl71Q— TorontoStar (@TorontoStar) November 1, 2018
WATCH LIVE: Lawyers launching series of court actions against largest auto insurance companies in Ontario https://t.co/r5aHlJVst5— Global News Toronto (@globalnewsto) November 1, 2018
Accident victims denied millions in benefits by insurers, lawsuits allege https://t.co/fSKB1uR6WE via @torontostar— Robert Cribb (@thecribby) November 1, 2018
Six auto insurance giants have withheld hundreds of millions of dollars in HST payments from Ontario car accident victims https://t.co/F3B5cMRYKH— Hamilton Spectator (@TheSpec) November 1, 2018