RIBO has posted three updated fraud bulletins on their website, warning consumers that neither Ottawa Insurance Broker Services nor United Brokers Insurance and Progress Insurance are licensed to conduct property and casualty insurance business in Ontario. Anyone who has recently purchased insurance from either entity should contact Tim Goff at (416) 365-1900 or 1-800-265-3097 or tim@ribo.com. RIBO has also updated a previous fraud case from 2011 that has since expanded into Peel Region (Axccess Lifestyle Membership Corporation of Concord, Ontario).

RIBO is the self-regulatory body for insurance brokers in Ontario. Established in October 1981, RIBO regulates the licensing, professional competence, ethical conduct, and insurance related financial obligations of all independent general insurance brokers in the province.

People should exercise caution when purchasing their insurance and make certain they are dealing with a licensed representative.  To check the licensing status of an insurance Broker, please go to RIBO’s List of Licensed Brokers/Brokerages.  To check the licensing status of an insurance Agent, please go to FSCO’s List of Licensed Representatives and for an insurance Company, please go to FSCO’s List of Licensed Insurance Companies.

Here is a summary of the bulletins:
April 3, 2012 - Ottawa Insurance Broker Services
The Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) is advising consumers that Ottawa Insurance Broker Services is not licensed to conduct property and casualty insurance business in Ontario.  Anyone who has recently purchased insurance online from Ottawa Insurance Broker Services should contact Tim Goff at (416) 365-1900 / 1-800-265-3097 or tim@ribo.com.

March 26, 2012 - United Brokers Insurance / Progress Insurance
The Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) is advising consumers that United Brokers Insurance and Progress Insurance is not licensed to conduct automobile insurance business in Ontario.  Anyone who has recently called 1-800-246-0716 to purchase insurance from United Brokers Insurance and Progress Insurance should contact Tim Goff at (416) 365-1900 / 1-800-265-3097 or tim@ribo.com.

Axccess Lifestyle Membership Corporation of Concord, Ontario - February 13, 2012
It has recently come to our attention that certain individuals may be active in selling the memberships in the Peel Region as well as other areas in Ontario.  If you have any information or knowledge of this program, please contact Tim Goff at (416) 365-1900 / 1-800-265-3097 or tim@ribo.com.

IBAO is excited to launch a new, online tool - MyInsuraceShopper Know Your Stuff®, a Home Inventory tool for Ontario consumers.  This easy to use software is available on the web for consumers to take inventory of their possessions and track this inventory easily and efficiently, all within digital space.  The inventory is stored online where consumers have free access to view or update their inventory anytime, anywhere they wish.

A home inventory will help you itemize your property if you need to make a claim, and it is a good way to test if your overall policy limits are adequate.

IBAO encourages all home owners to make a thorough inventory update of their belongings, including a list of contents, estimate of replacement value and perhaps a photograph or video of each room. This inventory should then be reviewed with their broker.  The MyInsuranceShopper Know Your Stuff® inventory tool makes this process convenient, by allowing consumers to store and update their details and within the digital space. 

Many people receive or purchase new expensive items and neglect to inform their broker and update their policies. Items, such as expensive jewelry should to be added to your insurance policy to ensure you are properly covered in case of any future claims. You never know when a disaster may strike, but you can be prepared with an up to date home inventory.

IBAO reminds Ontarians that it is common practice for policies that cover personal property, to have special limits on the amount that will be covered for specific items, or items within specific categories. If you require the full replacement or market value to be insured, you will have to arrange for additional insurance with your broker.

Having a list of contents, photos and/or videos of possessions is invaluable for consumers, as well as insurance brokers should you require assistance for lost or damaged possessions.  Knowing the value of the contents of your home is vital to being properly insured. Your broker can help you find the tools and resources you need.

Visit www.myinsuranceshopper.ca/knowyourstuff for more information.

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!

IBAO is delighted to present our members with the IBAO Marketing Design Centre (MDC) NOW LIVE ONLINE and ready for you to logon to create and customize your very own brokerage branded marketing campaigns!

The Marketing Design Centre will help you create marketing or advertising campaigns specific to the products or services in your office, with the ability to customize documents with your own brokerage logo, as well as contact information.

Within the MDC, you will find all three of the Auto Reforms Consumer Communication Materials we presented during the IBAO Auto Reforms Roadshow this past Spring. All of these pieces have been set up with customizable fields for you to add in your own brokerage logo and contact information.

The auto reforms communication pieces are available to IBAO members at no cost and you will only need to cover printing expenses.

Click here to logon to IBAO Marketing Design Centre under the 'Members Only' section of the IBAO website. Here you will find a link to the MDC. Your username and password are the same login credentials you use to logon to the Members Only section of the IBAO website.