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.
A new consumer study finds that 78% of Ontarians are not aware that insurers were using their credit scores to price their home insurance. What’s more is that 74% are in favour of extending the ban on using credit scores that is currently used in auto insurance to home insurance.
IBAO brokers were at Queen’s Park on April 4, as part of the Annual IBAO Queen’s Park Awareness Day, to meet with several Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP) to present the results of this consumer study and to discuss banning the use of credit scoring on personal property insurance.
Currently, a growing number of insurers are using a person’s credit score to measure their insured risk. This has led to an increase in insurance premiums or a denial of insurance outright to many Ontarians. As a result, now is the time for the Ontario Government to ban credit scoring to protect consumers!
IBAO’s 2012 consumer credit study results are nearly identical to the last time the poll was taken in November 2010. This indicates that insurers who use credit to increase rates have failed completely to inform their customers, despite a voluntary industry code of conduct which says consumers should be informed and must consent.
Further poll findings reveal that 81% of Ontarians want their MPPs to ban the use of credit scores to determine their home insurance rate, and 35% of Ontarians would be more likely to vote for their MPP if they supported a ban.
In 2005, the Ontario government banned the practice of using credit scoring as it relates to auto insurance policies because a person’s credit score was not related to their insured risk, and therefore the practice was deemed to be unfair and not in the public interest. Ontario insurance brokers were at Queen’s Park urging the Ontario government to extend the ban to home insurance.
It is unfortunate that the Ontario government has taken very little action to deal with the problem since the last poll results were released a year and a half ago. It is clear that insurers cannot be counted on to inform and protect customers on the matter of credit scoring. That is why the Ontario government must step in and ban this practice that is hurting consumers.
In May 2011, IBAO launched a consumer educational website, www.SoaringInsuranceRates.ca as part of the association’s public consumer protection campaign. Since the launch, more than 12,000 concerned Ontarians have logged on to educate themselves with many signing the on-line petition and sending informational letters to their MPP.
The use of credit scoring to price home and other personal property insurance is hurting our consumers. It affects those who can least afford it, such as retired seniors, newcomers to Canada, the unemployed, single income families and small business owners utilizing lines of credit. IBAO believes the practice is unfair to consumers, not transparent and inappropriate as a rating tool, and are calling on the Ontario government to act now and ban this practice entirely.
IBAO is thrilled to announce that Mr. Rick Orr, CIP will begin his tenure as the association’s 69th President on January 1st, 2012.
Rick is currently the co-owner of Orr Insurance Brokers Inc. in Stratford, Ontario along with his brother, Jeff. The insurance business has been a passion in Rick’s family for a long time, as he is a fourth generation broker working at the same brokerage started by his great grandfather in 1895.
Rick began his association experience after becoming President of the Perth Huron Brokers Association from 1997-1998. After working on a variety of IBAO committees for a number of years, Rick formally joined the board as a territory director in 2003. In addition to his duties with the IBAO, Rick has held a seat on the board of CSIO for 3 years and also sits on IBAC’s technology committee, bringing a business and industry perspective to these groups
Rick’s commitment to the insurance business is easy to see, but he takes just as much pride in his commitment to his community, where he sits on the local hospital foundation and chairs the Stratford Parks Board. In fact, Rick plans on highlighting the importance of community involvement while serving as President of IBAO, which is made clear by his Presidential theme for 2012, ‘Be a Broker. Be Involved.’
IBAO looks forward to seeing all of the positive contributions Rick will undoubtedly make in the coming year.
IBAO is thrilled to officially announce its support of Custom Software Solutions Inc.’s (CSSI) recent introduction of a new major time saving technology. This new innovation allows PDF Dec pages to be accepted as part of the Centre for Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO) download standards.
Insurance companies and brokers will now be able to transmit documents through an “Electronic Document Transfer” (EDocs) process, effortlessly and according to CSIO standards!
Scott Andrew, President and CEO of CSSI wants brokers to know that “the biggest impact with regards to saving time and eliminating paper is the ability to download the Dec page. CSSI is pleased to say that we are capable of handling EDocs and prepared to work with any of our partner insurance companies to provide this service for their brokers."
CSSI is one of the fastest growing automation software suppliers to the Canadian Insurance Industry. The combination of their insurance experience and technological expertise enables their team to develop and market a user-friendly automation system that takes into account all aspects of a working brokerage. CSSI provides end-to-end information technology solutions to over 400 Brokerage offices across Canada.
Insurance Brokers are encouraged to share this information with their insurance companies as this new service gives insurance companies and brokers the ability to send information electronically, saving large amounts of time, which will allow brokers more time to spend with clients.
For more information on this new service, brokers are encouraged to visit: http://www.cssionline.com
IBAO is thrilled to announce a new app available to members titled hereiam™. This mobile business tool will enhance broker productivity and improve client relationships.
The state of the art app makes it easy for brokers to connect with their clients when out of the office and can even be used safely while on the road.
This new app gives brokers the ability to:
• Listen and compose emails while driving. The hereiam™ voice reads email messages back to the subscriber, as well as records voice notes and converts them into composed memos and emails and delivers them to the intended receiver;
• Dials numbers in their contact list hands free;
• Follow me/find me feature allows broker clients to reach them no matter where they are;
• Multi-conferencing;
• Toll free calling. Clients can call them directly through a toll free number and avoid long distance charges;
• Out of town calling. While out of their local calling area, they can call anyone in North America for $.05 a minute;
• Eliminate roaming outside Canada; and
• A mobile app for smartphones is included.
In fact, we're so convinced that hereiam™ provides real value to Brokers that we invite you to try the service for a 30-day free trial!
IBAO wants to encourage all of its members to sign up for hereiam™ by visiting www.hereiammobile.com.
The results are in for the 2011 Provincial Vote and IBAO extends congratulations to all Ontario election winners after an extremely exciting campaign! IBAO members have worked hard to foster strong relationships with all of Ontario’s political parties and is delighted to welcome all Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) back to Queen’s Park.
IBAO has been in regular discussions with MPPs across the province, representing the interests of Ontario consumers. It’s critical that all parties work together to improve a number of key concerns, including:
• access to insurance products for consumers;
• tackling insurance fraud;
• ending the use of credit scoring as a measure on home insurance premiums.
IBAO looks forward to heading back to Queen’s Park this fall and to continuing to work with all MPPs toward resolutions on our concerns.
It’s important that Ontario consumers have access to fair and reasonable insurance, and IBAO is here to make sure their voices are heard.
IBAO is proud to announce that its 68th President, Mr. Peter Burns, BES has been appointed to the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC)
Peter is a community guy. He is dedicated to countless local causes, various sponsorships and volunteer’s on board committees. IBAO CEO Randy Carroll points out that “his ongoing contributions to the insurance industry in Ontario are incredible to watch and we are all excited to see these contributions extend to the industry as a whole”.
Peter has been a part of our industry since the early 1990’s. He graduated from University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and worked in the community newspaper business. In fact, he was one of the founders of the Tillsonburg Indepenent, a community newspaper now owned by Sun Media.
Peter began his career in insurance when he joined Anderson & Benner, a small, three-person Insurance and Financial Services Brokerage in Tillsonburg. Shortly after, he served on the Board of Directors for the Oxford County Insurance Brokers Association for ten years, five of those being spent as President. In 2005, Peter was elected to the IBAO Board of Directors and in 2010 was elected to the role of President of this same board. He has chaired Education, Membership, Broker Management & Long Range Planning in the past for IBAO and served on the IBAC BIP committee.
Today, Peter is the President of Burns, Demeyere & Associates in Tillsonburg, Ontario.
Mr. Carroll said, “We are pleased to have Peter as our Ontario representative on the IBAC Board for the 2011- 2012 term. It will be exciting to see Peter bring his insight and knowledge to the national level.”
IBAO 91st Annual Convention
Wednesday, October 19 – Friday, October 21, 2011
The Fairmont Royal York
Click here to reserve your room online
IBAO's Annual Convention has set the standard for providing the most powerful networking opportunity available for member insurance brokers, industry leaders and service industry partners! Don't miss this exclusive event hosted in Toronto at the historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Click Here to register online NOW!
Click Here to download a full 2011 Convention Program
Please note that IBAO will be using Meeting Management Services Inc. (MMS) again this year to process and manage registrations. Please forward all registration forms and payment to this company. Their contact information is included at the top of the registration form. Should you have any questions regarding registration, please contact colleen@mmsonline.ca.
Exhibitor List
Exhibitor Floor Plan
Don't miss the largest insurance broker event of the year!
The 2011 IBAO Annual Convention is a tweet-friendly event and we are encouraging attendees to tweet-away!! The hashtag for the event is #IBAOConvention11.
Insurance brokers understand the importance of providing kids with every opportunity possible, which is why IBAO has recently extended its annual sponsorship of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) with the launch of a brand new goalie outreach program called, 'The Best Insurance is a Good Goaltender.
“The Best Insurance is a Good Goaltender” in an initiative that will help support kids who have always dreamed of becoming a hockey goalie but may not have had the opportunity to access proper equipment. Additionally, IBAO will provide minor hockey associations with goaltending resources to aid coaches.
Last night, young hockey players were joined by Kay Whitmore, NHL goaltending supervisor and local insurance brokers to announce the launch. Over forty sets of new equipment will be given to young players across the province!
Supporting youth has always been a priority for brokers. IBAO is thrilled to be launching this new program with the hockey season officially upon us!
Photo Descriptions
Goalie Launch
(Left to Right) NHL Goaltending Consultant Kay Whitmore with Insurance Brokers Mike Naples and David V. Palermo unveil “The Best Insurance Is A Good Goaltender” Outreach Program for minor hockey goaltenders to obtain loaner equipment to try the position.
Credit: Derek Polowyk, OMHA
Goalie Launch2
NHL Goaltending Consultant Kay Whitmore helps outfit Adam Lalicata with equipment from the “The Best Insurance Is A Good Goaltender” Outreach Program Goalie Kit.
Credit: Derek Polowyk, OMHA
IBAO is dedicated to educating Ontario consumers about their insurance and the details of their policies. Insurance brokers are trained professionals who respond compassionately to those who suffer losses and/or damages, most especially caused by sudden, tragic events.
After the worst storm Ontario has seen in over a decade, IBAO would like to encourage all those affected by the tornado in Goderich to call their local insurance broker to discuss their situation. Brokers are well prepared to handle these types of situations and victims can feel comfort in the fact that a broker has the consumers’ best interest at heart.
Acts of God are natural disasters which can strike anytime, anywhere and cannot be reasonably prevented or avoided. The majority of standard insurance policies cover the perils of hurricanes and tornados, however coverage for floods or earthquakes are not automatic in standard policies. Following a natural disaster, it is important for Ontario residents to review their current insurance policy and coverage with their broker.
For more information, victims of the tornado in Goderich and Ontario residents are encouraged to call IBAO directly at 800.268.8845 or visit www.myinsuranceshopper.ca to find a local broker.