imported_audiophilia

In the last two days, two of my closest friends have had their insurance cancelled! Both are excellent drivers and have been with their broker/company for many years (16 -- three claims and 12 -- no claims, respectively).

I have been hearing horror stories about insurance companies -- the government are being pressured to step in. 1000% hikes, cancellations, etc...

The two cancellations in question are nothing to do with mods. My friend with 16 years (about $30000.00 to the broker/company) has had three claims, the last two in three years. My other buddy with 12 years, received three tickets (2 Stop signs and 129 in a 100) while his wife was in hospital for several months -- mind elsewhere!

I cannot believe how these two older adults (40s), career people, tax payers, blah blah, have been treated. The letters treated them like criminals, no appeal, no discussion, nothing!!!

Personally, I'm disgusted, and will be doing everything in my limited power to take this fight (and the Ontario insurance companies are going to make it a fight) to the MPPs.

When TD and CIBC get into the insurance business, you know it is a huge money maker. And with 1 in 8 in Ontario uninsured, it won't be long 'till this is a true catastrophe!

Both parties in question managed to get things sorted out today -- one the company backed down since the second claim was for a minimal amount, the other went through three brokers to get his premium 'just' doubled. Both got quotes for $5700.00 and $3200.00 -- both enormous jumps in cost!

Anyway, sorry for the long post, but thought my friends in TCC who have their insurance renewal coming up, beware! Both my friends have taken minimal (or nothing) from the companies, and paid in many, many thousands in premiums.

What are we doing? Working for the insurance companies? Screw that!!!!

punkindrublic

my dad is almost 50 driving a ford winstar with 1 ticket in the last 10 years or so... his insurance went from 1200 yearly (for the windstar and focus) up to $3200 just on the windstar.... they threatened me saying at next renewal my coverage will be cancelled or at about $4500 a year.... keeping in mind that is with my mom "owning" and being primary on my car.... if either is the case i'm gonna join that 1 of 8 people driving without insurance probably... or buy a **** box to drive around and just tow the civic to races

and the worst part... my dad has been with that company for over 15 years... 1 ticket and i think one small claim like 5 or 6 years ago... that is all.... its gonna be chaos when nobody is insured and people are money grabbing over accidents still

90stockcx

i know how yer feelin dood...i went from drivin a 2001 2nd Gen Neon R/T to drivin a 1993 Mustang...with LOWER insurance, figure that one out, i had 2 tickets (10 over) then my insurance company cancelled ( high risk) then with the new company they needed pics (mods over $1500) so they need a new policy, either way i was payin just over $800 a month for insurance, needless to say, i sold my car soon after and bought my mustang for $500, and my insurance is $1500/yr, (neon was fully insured, mustang is just liability) but it just goes to show how 2 tickets no matter how minor (the officer was reprimanded....was found to be harassing motorists and was demoted) but the damage was done, and i'm screwed 'til i'm 25 (i'm 23 now) i think this whole insurance crap is a big money grab!!!anywayz, thanx for lettin me vent, itz been a rough few months, oh yah, the civic is $100 less then the mustang, yet another price i can't figure out!!

Buff 'n Stuff

paying car insurance just plain sux! seems like most of the time you're paying way too much for absolutely nothing. i haven't had a ticket or claim in ten years since i had my car stolen. basically, i'm paying out a quarter of my year's wages and getting sweet **** all in return! well not quite a quarter, but a large portion... and i never see anything for it. wouldn't it be nice if they gave you a return when you're paying thousands of hard earned dollars towards an insurance policy that's never used?

Insuranceman

I know how you guys feel, I have a company car and a gas card so I don't pay for anything ... my company puts me on the company policy and I don't pay anything .... I've had 3 tickets in the last 2 years and I don't pay anything.... I have never actually had an accident so I don't pay anything ........

(sorry, I just had to ....)

VEX

Agreed, my dad is paying nearly 5K for 2 accidents (last year and the year before that) and he has been insured in Canada for almost 20 years.

ginacivic

And this is supposed to make us feel better? Gee Thanks!

Insuranceman

Naa, I just had to write that cause you guys ragg on insurance so much (not that you don't have a reason to)

ginacivic

Don't feel bad my best friend and her BF both work in insurance and I always bug them about it.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

I have to sell my body to afford insurance

Hahaha... sorry, this is a serious post:

I agree audiophilia, whatever we can do the help out (petitions, letters to MPs or whatever) you tell us and we'll try to help!

imported_audiophilia

I'm just going to write a letter to my MPP! The letters have considerable power, if articulate and argued fairly. No hyperbole, here! In Ontario insurance's case, there is no need for hyperbole. Even if one includes the litigious nature of Ontarians and the horrendous driving habits of our populace, the profits the insurers make still highlight their behaviour as a disgrace!

Signed,

Still Disgusted!!!



Both my friends are succesful professionals, and they said for the first time they were made to feel helpless. God help the poor folk who do not have the will or the way to help themselves...

imported_audiophilia

Read The Globe, National Post, listen to CBC, watch Global, etc. We are not alone in 'ragging'...

The storm is coming. Get ready to duck...

Mugen C

Feels like back to where I was 13.5 yrs ago...
bought my Brand new 89 Civic, paying 4500 for insurance
per year...

Now, SF dropped me because of the age of my Civic.
And one claim on my Parents 90 Accord,
Now I am paying over 4200 for the insurance...
Not to mention if they drop my 98 Accord later for nonsense reason (I will not be surprised, they could come up with any reason now if they decide to drop you!)

Recently I am asking myself...why should I drive so carefully,
avoid getting tickets (only one in 13.5yrs)...but end up paying the same rate as High risk drivers!??? :cry: :fustrated

I hope Government could do something about it!

Mugen C

Insuranceman

I can tell you right now, their can be all the complaints in the world and nothing really is going to happen .... Auto insurance makes up 10-15% of a companies business so their not really going to miss much if anything is done, which nothing will except the capping of premiums ....

imported_audiophilia

Yeah, insurance shills said the same thing as you in BC and Quebec. They were wrong.

In fact, there is a Bill ready to go in Ontario that rolls back premiums 10% for a start. We'll see...

PULOVR

I have nothing to add.

Buff 'n Stuff

I do

let's start our own private insurance company. I wouldn't know where or how to begin, but I'm willing to try just about anything to be insured properly and less costly.

insurance companies have gone rabid. if ya can't beat em, join em.

Insuranceman

LOL...Do you know how much tax BC residents pay to compensate for their government insurance costs?..... Your mad at insurance companies now, you'll be mad at the government later .... as for Quebec, thats a whole other story which Ontario will not follow ..... Your 10% rollback will likely happen but you'll never see Ontario Insurance run by the government ... and if you did you'd see your auto premiums drop and everything else rise ....

T-train

What the hell are you talking about? The taxes here in Ontario are pretty much the same as in BC.

Pers income tax;

BC On
1st rate - 6.05% 6.05%
2nd rate 9.15% 9.15%
3rd rate 11.7% 11.16%
4th rate 13.7%
5th rate 14.7%

each rate is calculated from your yearly income. Ontario stays at 11.16% for incomes of $64,306 and up. Both provinces are very close in their tax threshholds as well., keeping to within a thousand of each other.
Other comparisons;

BC ON
Basic personal exmption - $8,307 $7,756
Spousal exemption - $7,113 $6,586

Sales Tax ; Retail - 7.5% 8.0%
Gasoline - 14.5 cents/litre 14.7 cents/ litre
Tobacco - 31 $/carton 13.90$/ carton

So, you see, with the exception of tobacco, everything is pretty close to each other.
You can check for yourself. http://www.taxpayer.com/Facts/TaxRat...vince_2003.pdf

Corporate is another thing all together.
The only thing that I didn't like about their insurance was that you paid full rate for each vehicle. No multiple vehicle discount. A motorcycle would cost as much if not more than a car. It is a little more understandable than the rates for motorcycles in this province, given the fact that you can ride 10 - 11 months of the year out there.

Soooooo, someone tell me, who is better off again?
Let's talk about Corporate mismanagement of funds........Nevermind, that would take up the rest of the summer.

T-train

Don't ask me why the spaces are all gone. Looked better while I was writing it. Meh........if you look, you can tell what I'm saying.
The first set of figures in each line are for BC.