WHAT IS FSRA’S TAKE-ALL-COMERS AUTO INSURANCE RULE?
Ontario’s auto insurance regulator, The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), is taking aim at insurers who avoid issuing auto policies to people living in certain cities, or are otherwise off-side the “Take-All-Comers” rule. In an effort to improve how auto insurance serves Ontario’s drivers, input was sought from industry insiders and the general public on the Take-All-Comers rule.
By law, insurers are required to provide all Ontario consumers with access to timely auto insurance quotes and the lowest rates available to them. As an Ontario insurance provider, if you fail to renew a client’s Ontario auto policy (even if that client missed a payment,) you could attract close scrutiny from the provincial regulator. Ontario law prohibits insurers from declining to issue, terminating or refusing to renew an auto policy or endorsement, except on grounds filed with Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA).
Here is our breakdown of what the Take-All-Comers rule is, how it protects consumers and the possible consequences to the insurance industry if not followed.
WHAT IS THE TAKE-ALL-COMERS RULE?
The Insurance Companies Act is the primary legislation governing all federally-incorporated or registered insurance companies in Canada. The purpose of the rule is to ensure no motorist can be denied coverage, requiring all auto insurers in the province to include all classes of risk in their underwriting rules and pricing. These consumer protection features comprise Ontario’s “Take-All-Comers” rule.
Insurers, agents and brokers have legal obligations to:
As outlined under Ontario’s Insurance Act, the Take-All-Comers rule has three main requirements:
A delay in providing a quote is effectively declining coverage, and can only be declined based on criteria listed in the insurer’s approved underwriting rules on file with FSRA.
WHY IS THE REVIEW AND GUIDANCE OF THE TAKE-ALL-COMERS RULE NEEDED?
All insurers, agents and brokers have a legal obligation to offer any eligible consumer a quote or a renewal. An insurer must also accept all auto insurance business from consumers that meets that insurer’s rules approved by FSRA. The guidance is aimed at examining conduct by an insurer which makes it difficult for you (the consumer) from acquiring automobile insurance.
Its main concern is “particularly where consumers are dissuaded or forced to abandon a request for a quote, which is the critical part of the contract for automobile insurance coverage, constitutes a declination to issue a contract” says FSRA. The examination of selected insurers, agents and brokers was part of a large industry review to identify any practices that are inconsistent with the rule. Following the public consultations, FSRA said it will require many insurers to review their practices to ensure compliance with the law, report any rule breaches and develop a remediation plan.
WHY DID FSRA UNDERTAKE THIS REVIEW OF TAKE-ALL-COMERS RULE?
FSRA initiated its work on the “Take-All-Comers” rule in the Ontario auto insurance sector following public consultations. FSRA carried out examinations of selected insurers, agents and brokers to observe operational practices. It has now expanded the scope of its review to include the Take-All-Comers rule. They are looking to identify practices in the auto insurance system that are inconsistent with the “Take-All-Comers” rule and its intended purpose.
FSRA examination findings
Whilst undergoing the examinations, instances in which insurers have avoided issuing auto quotes to several categories of people (such as claimants who experienced a prior accident benefits loss), including people who were not at fault, (such as passengers and pedestrians) was discovered.
Specific examples of insurer non-compliance identified by FSRA include (but are not limited to) avoiding issuing automobile insurance quotes to individuals who:
Other examples in the regulator’s email included:
WHAT COULD FSRA DO IF COMPANIES DON’T COMPLY?
The enforcement actions taken by FSRA are varied and would be weighed in response to the nature and severity of the non-compliance. Responses could range from education and remediation to regulatory intervention. The more serious offences could face administrative monetary penalties, as well as licenses being revoked. “Auto insurance is necessary to operate a vehicle in Ontario and FSRA is taking steps to ensure that all consumers can get the best product at the best price available when they purchase or renew their auto insurance policy,” FSRA said in a statement.
WHAT DOES TAKE-ALL-COMERS COMPLIANCE MEAN TO CONSUMERS?
The hope of the guidance is that it will lead to strengthened conduct standards, which will improve fairness in the system for you, the consumer. Compliance with the requirements of the Take-All-Comers rule will ensure a level playing field, and hopefully limit activities that can inhibit your efforts to purchase or renew their auto insurance when you otherwise qualify for a quote or a renewal. For the insurance industry, it will level the playing field for all in the industry to compete for your business.
HOW HIGH-RISK DRIVING PRACTICES ARE UPSETTING THE BALANCE
The call for the consultations with the industry and consumers came to pass in part as a response to the Facility Association’s (FA) decision to revise its private passenger vehicle ratings and underwriting rules.
FA is an unincorporated, non-profit insurance organization that gives drivers access to auto insurance coverage, even if other insurance companies have turned them down. If the FA loses money due to the volume of claims it processes, it can pass on the deficit to regular auto insurers, which may result in higher premiums for all drivers.
Additionally, FSRA says it will work with the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) to ensure a coordinated approach is taken across the province’s auto insurance system. The “Take-All-Comers” guidance will lead to strengthened conduct standards, which will improve fairness in the system for you, the consumer.
