IBAO, in partnership with the Ontario Safety League is pleased to announce its new sponsorship of Ontario’s chapter of Operation Red Nose!

IBAO’s sponsorship guarantees that all ‘Red Nose’ cars are properly insured for the 2011 season.

Since its start in 1984, Operation Red Nose has helped thousands of Ontarians make the responsible choice of not driving while under the influence. This program provides free and confidential chauffeur services to individuals across the province. 

This national initiative launched today in Québec, and has undoubtedly been responsible for saving many lives as it serves as a truly effective deterrent against impaired driving.

Small community launch events will be held across Ontario during the month of November with the official Ontario-wide launch being held at Queen’s Park on November 23rd with IBAO’s very own, Bryan Yetman as the host.

IBAO wishes all Ontarians a safe and happy holiday season and encourages you to benefit from the Operation Red Nose program in your community!

For a full list of the Operation Red Nose locations and contact information across province, visit the Ontario Safety League’s website – www.ontariosafetyleague.com

Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) and IBAO want each and every student returning home for the holidays to arrive alive and stay safe the entire long weekend.

It is an exciting time of year, as many first year college students head home for their first school break. While celebrating and giving thanks this weekend, it’s important to remember just how imperative it is to not be an impaired or distracted driver.

Here are some tips to follow to prevent a tragic situation:
•    Arrange for a designated driver;
•    Take public transit;
•    Arrange for a car or limo service;
•    Call a cab.

Students are encouraged to follow those simple tips which may prevent a serious accident.

Also, remember to use a hands free device, and avoid the temptation to text or make calls while driving. For example, place your cell phone in the backseat or the trunk of the car and ask fellow passengers to quietly take their calls.

Through IBAO’s partnership with OSAID, Ontario brokers have committed themselves to providing students with the necessary knowledge and information required to make wiser decisions when it comes to their transportation options.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend!

If you are still struggling with understanding, communicating and selling the buy ups resulting from last year’s Auto Reform Legislation, you are not alone!

Recent feedback from the industry indicates several concerns still exist.

IBAO has launched a new Auto Reform Education Review Seminar that will examine statistics from the past year, current issues relating to E&O, fraud and the corresponding renewal best practices. The program also includes how to develop effective communication strategies, utilizing “real life” scenarios that focus on selling protection (product) vs. price.

Recommended for any broker that deals with the auto product.
RIBO CE: 3 Technical Hours

Facilitator: Monica Cain, CIP, Insured Success
An award winning instructor, Monica brings more than 30 years experience in the industry in underwriting, claims and training.  Click here for her bio.

Locations & Dates

Times:  AM Session: 9:00 am – 12:15 pm OR PM Session: 1:00 – 4:15 pm

Group Registration Instructions
For group registration rates, please contact Tracey Blouin at IBAO at tblouin@ibao.on.ca.

Questions?
Contact the IBAO School of Insurance at 416-488-7422 or toll-free (1-800-268-8845).

IBAO is applauding the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today for their recent ban on the use of credit scoring in personal property and private passenger auto insurance.  Just a couple weeks apart, the prohibition for personal property insurance came into effect on May 13th and private passenger automobile insurance on June 1st, 2011.

With this announcement, we encourage IBAO members to continue their efforts in reaching out to the Ontario government in hopes that they will follow Newfoundland and Labrador’s lead in banning this unfair and deceptive practice in Ontario.  As we know, the use of credit scoring to measure a person’s insured risk is affecting those who can least afford it. Furthermore, three out of four Ontario consumers are unaware that their credit scores are being used to determine how much they pay for their home insurance.

In a continued effort to protect consumers, IBAO encourages members and the public to visit www.SoaringInsuranceRates.ca, a consumer educational website launched by IBAO in May 2011.  Since the launch, close to 3,000 concerned Ontarians have logged on to educate themselves with many signing the online petition and sending letters to their Members of Provincial Parliament with their concerns.

IBAO continues to ask the Ontario government to respond to the concerns of its citizens and ban this misleading practice in home and other personal property insurance!

One of IBAO’s key priorities continues to be promoting and encouraging safe driving.  In October 2009, the government of Ontario introduced a new law banning the use of hand-held devices while driving. IBAO and its members support this law and are committed to educating the people of Ontario on the dangers associated with distracted driving. To date, nine Canadian provinces have banned the use of hand-held cell phones across the country.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation recently revealed a study indicating that when a motorist is distracted for more than two seconds, their chances of being involved in a car collision doubles! The study also reveals that a motorist distracted by a cell phone or other hand-held device is four times more likely to be in a collision than a focused driver.

The number of collisions caused at the fault of a distracted driver is alarming. More troubling however is the close to 40,000 Ontario drivers who have been ticketed for driving while using a hand-held device. Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution! Keep your phone in your purse or glove compartment and if you have to make a call while driving, make sure you are using a hands free receiver.

Stay focused and drive safe!

One of IBAO’s key priorities is to promote and encourage safe driving.  This is an especially important reminder to drivers during the winter months when the roads are more dangerous than ever. 

As the winter weather worsens, it is important for drivers to adjust their driving techniques so they are always prepared for unpredictable conditions.  It is vital for drivers to exercise extreme caution and stay calm and alert when driving in compromised conditions due to the weather.

IBAO urges individuals to exercise the following measures when driving in these hazardous conditions:

•    Be patient and drive cautiously;
•    Invest in proper winter tires;
•    Keep your distance from the car in front of you;
•    Ensure your vehicle has had a full maintenance check-up;
•    Keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle, including ice scrapers, salt, gloves, windshield washer fluid and a blanket.

Be prepared and stay safe during this frosty season.

For many people, Labour Day weekend is a great time to kick back, relax and partake in various celebrations. It’s a wonderful time of year to unwind after an eventful summer; however IBAO wants to caution drivers of the dangers of driving while under the influence this long weekend.

Did you know that the average number of drinking drivers involved in fatal crashes during the summer months is about 70 percent higher than other times of the year?

Once again, IBAO and the Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) want to caution Ontarian teens especially to drive safe and sober this Labour Day weekend and spread the message on how tragic vehicle accidents can be avoided.

In Ontario alone, 235 drivers age 21 and under were killed in drinking and driving collisions between 1996 and 2006.

IBAO CEO Randy Carroll says that, "Ontario insurance brokers have a vested interest in serving communities across the province and keeping our neighbourhoods safe.Through our partnership with OSAID, we are committed to providing Ontario students with the necessary knowledge and information required to make wiser decisions when it comes to their transportation options."

Let’s not forget that our Ontario students are about to begin a new year of school and this long weekend is often a tempting time for new students to participate in hazardous activity. A few tips you can give your teens are to:

•    Arrange for a designated driver;
•    Take public transit;
•    Arrange for a car or limo service;
•    Call a cab.

New tough driving penalties for young and new drivers were put into effect by the Ontario government on August 1st. This new legislation states that all young drivers under the age of 21 and new motorists will be required to have a zero blood alcohol level when behind the wheel.

The hard consequences associated with the new legislation include an immediate 24-hour licence suspension , 30-day licence suspension and up to $500 in fines.

Stay safe and have fun this Labour Day long weekend!

IBAO applauds the recent announcement by the Ontario government on new changes coming into effect to protect Ontario’s young drivers, beginning August 1, 2010. The new law states that all young drivers under the age of 21, as well as new motorists, will be required to have a zero blood alcohol level when behind the wheel.

This new legislation was first introduced last year and particularly aims to protect young drivers, which statistics have shown, are most at risk for being involved in drinking and driving related incidents.

Encouraging safe driving has been and continues to be a central focus for IBAO and its members. Especially when you consider that the number one cause of death for people aged 16-24 in Ontario is still alcohol related automobile accidents. IBAO’s CEO Randy Carroll commented that the new legislation promises to diminish the number of fatalities in province significantly.

IBAO has been in proud partnership with the Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) for more than a decade. Together, they are committed to teaching Ontario students about the dangers of driving while under the influence.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation highlighted some of the following consequences associated with the new legislation.
All drivers 21 years of age and younger must have a zero blood alcohol level when they get behind the wheel or face:
•    An immediate 24-hour licence suspension
•    30-day licence suspension
•    Up to $500 in fines
You are encouraged to visit the Ministry’s official website, Ontario Ministry of Transportation for more information.

Students especially are encouraged to visit OSAID’s new interactive website, www.OSAID.org for more information on this youth driven organization.

IBAO also recently created a video to highlight other changes to drinking and driving laws in Ontario that affect all drivers.
Watch it here:  Drinking and Driving Laws Are Tougher - Be Prepared

COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO EFFECTIVELY SELL THE AUTO CHANGES AND NEW POLICY OPTIONS

This two hour webinar will help you develop the communication and sales skills necessary to effectively discuss the auto reform changes with your clients.  We will provide coverage comparisons, real life examples and communication strategies.  (RIBO CE: 2 Technical Hours)

PROGRAM OUTCOMES:

• Gain a firm grasp of coverage changes under the new Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule
• Develop effective sales and communication strategies
• Build confidence in explaining changes and options to clients
• Receive a bank of real life examples to assist you to demonstrate the need for buy up options 
• RECOMMENDED for: Anyone dealing directly with auto policyholders

WEBINAR FACILITATOR: Jo Anne Mitchell, CIP

DATES & TIMES:
June 15:  2:00 - 4:15 pm
June 16:  9:30 - 11:45 am
June 22:  AM Session: 9:30 -11:45 am or PM Session: 2:00 - 4:15 pm
June 24:  AM Session: 9:30 -11:45 am or PM Session: 2:00 - 4:15 pm

FEE: $99.00 per person - Available to IBAO Members Only.

Space is limited!

Register online at www.ibao.org (Members Section - Online Event Registration)

Questions? Contact the IBAO School of Insurance at 416-488-7422 or toll-free (800-268-8845).

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has released ‘Property and Casualty Bulletin A-04/10’ that sets out the transition guidelines for accident benefit claims under the upcoming auto reforms that come into effect on September 1 of this year.

The transition document lays out clearly how the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) will apply to auto accidents that occur after September 1, 2010, and for those accidents that occur prior to September 1, 2010.

During the IBAO Educational Auto Reforms Roadshow, we spent quite a bit of time covering off this section of the changes and now that FSCO has officially released this bulletin it is a Must Read by all licensed brokers.

In addition to the SABS Schedule, the bulletin also speaks to Coverages and Limits on Policies Already In Effect as of September 1, 2010.

The coverages and coverage limits that are available in accordance with the ‘Old SABS’ under any automobile insurance policy already in effect as of September 1, 2010 will remain unchanged until the policy expires or is terminated. The only exception is if the named insured and insurer agree otherwise in writing (New SABS s. 68). The OPCF 25A (Alteration) endorsement, amended to reflect the new coverage choices available under the New SABS, will be available for this purpose.

Again, this new bulletin is a must read for all licensed brokers, and remember if you have any questions related to Auto reforms please send them to autofaqs@ibao.on.ca.

Visit www.fsco.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/, for a full list of all the property and casualty – auto bulletins available on FSCO’s website.