Posted June 2003

In Case You Have A Claim

Our Goal is to provide you with prompt, professional and fair claims service.

Claims should be reported to your broker who in turn will contact your insurance company. After a claim has been filed an adjuster will contact you within 48 hours of reporting of your claim. We recognize that not all claims happen during business hours. If you have an emergency claim after-hours, anywhere in North America you can usually call a 24 hour toll-free number for assistance and advice. Check your insurance slip or policy in the case of property claims.

The number toll free for ING Halifax Insurance is 1-888-542-3333.

Posted November 2000

The Goverment of Ontario, in consultation with the auto insurance industry, has reviewed the wording of the Standard Automobile insurance policy to respond to recent legislative changes and address a variety of other issues.

Here is a brief summary of some recent changes made to the standard Ontario Automobile Policy (OAP 1) Owners policy effective January 2001, approved by the Superintendent of Financial Services. Some of the changes are simply clarifications.

You may wish to discuss these changes with your insurance representative to ensure that you have adequate coverage.

The entire policy can be viewed on the Internet at http:// www.fsco.gov.ca [click on "Insurance","Auto Insurance" and "Ontario Automobile Policy (OAP 1) Owner's Policy (Revised)"], or ask your insurance company representative for a copy.

This posting is for convenience ONLY, it is not a legal document.

1. Snowmobile

"Motorized snow vehicle" (snowmobile)is included in the definition of "automobile." If you own a snowmobile and use it off your property, you must have insurance as required by law under the "Motorized Snow Vehicles Act".

2. Same-sex partner

A new definition has been added for same-sex partner. Same-sex partner means either of two persons of the same sex who have cohabited continuosly for a period of not less than three years, or have cohabited in a relationship of some permanence if they are the natural or adoptive parents of a child.

3. Volunteer drivers

Volunteer drivers are covered by the policy at no extra charge. They may accept reimbursement "for their reasonable driving expenses, including gas, vehicle wear and tear, and meals" without being considered to be carrying paying passengers (Section 1.8.1).

4. Garage workers

The words "or is the partner or employee of the owner" are added at the end, after the word "incident". It now reads:

"No person who sells, repairs, maintains, stores, services, or parks automobiles as part of a business is covered by this policy while involved in conducting that business, unless the person in fact owns the automobile involved in an incident or is the partner or employee of the owner." (Section 1.8.4)

5. Illegal Use

Section 7.2.2 of the Policy describes various kinds of illegal automobile use that could void loss or damage insurance coverage. If you drive or operate the automobile under these conditions, or allow another person to drive or operate the automobile, you forfeit coverage for loss or damage to your vehicle. The words "or operate" are new.

6. Automobile Contents

If you are protected by Section 7 (Optional Loss or Damage Coverages), the automobile insurance policy will not pay for loss or damage to contents of automobiles and trailers, other than equipment; nor more than $25 for recorded material and equipment for use with a playing or recording unit (Section 7.2 1). The insurer won't pay for recorded material and equipment not contained within or attached to the playing unit. Recorded material includes, but is not limited to, tapes, compact discs, video cassettes and digital video discs. (Insurance coverage may be available through your HOMEOWNER'S or TENANT'S policy, however.)

7. Loss of Use - Due to Theft

If you are protected by the All Perils, Comprehensive, or Specified Perils options, your insurer will pay reasonable expenses for the rental of a similar substitute automobile, taxi fares or public transportation in the event of the theft of your car. These costs continue to be capped at $900, but the $30 daily limit has been removed (Section 7.4.4).

8. Non-factory-installed electronic equipment

If you are protected by Section 7 (Optional Loss or Damage Coverage), your insurer will not pay more than $1500 for loss or damage to electronic accessories or equipment not installed at the factory (Sections 7.7). Such equipment includes, but is not limited to, radios, tape players, compact disc players, speakers, telephones, two-way radios, televisions, fax machines, and navigation/positioning/location-finding equipment.

"Factory Installed Equipment" means electronic accessories and equipment which was included in the original new purchase price of the automobile.

You can, however, customize your insurance coverage for electronic equipment through a policy endorsement, OPCF 38. This approach allows your insurer to tailor your premium more fairly according to the risk of financial loss.

If you feel you have non-factory installed electronic equipment that is worth more than $1500, you should contact your insurance representative for more information.

7860(11/00)

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