FAULT DETERMINATION RULES

R.R.O. 1990, REGULATION 668 – (Please click on the link above)

• As difficult as it may seem, it is important that you remain calm.
• Do not argue with other drivers and passengers. Save your story for the police.
• Do not voluntarily assume liability or take responsibility, sign statements regarding fault, or promise to pay for damage at the scene of the accident.
• Be watchful for unauthorized tow truck operators. To learn more about tow truck scams, visit FSCO’s Tips For Avoiding Tow Truck and Storage Scams.

Be prepared for any emergency on the road

Always keep a basic vehicle first aid or emergency kit in the trunk of your vehicle. You can easily create an emergency kit for your vehicle by filling a plastic storage container with the following:

• pen and paper;
• FSCO’s Accident Worksheet. Download it here​;
• a basic first aid kit;
• a disposable camera;
• emergency road flares, warning triangles or cones;
• a fire extinguisher (A-B-C Type);
• a flashlight and extra batteries;
• bottled water;
• booster cables;
• a tire repair kit and pump;
• a small tool kit;
• a towel;
• a pair of work gloves;
• some type of non-perishable food;
• hand wipes; and
• a thermal blanket.

Reporting Fraud

If you suspect that you may be a victim or target of a scam or fraud, you can help put an end to the scam or fraud by reporting it.

• Call your local police and your insurance company to inform them and ask for next steps
• You can also submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers  (1-800-222-TIPS).
• You may also file a report to FSCO’s Auto Insurance Fraud Hotline or call 1-855-5TIP-NOW.

If you want legal advice, the Law Society of Upper Canada  has services to help you find a legal professional.There are a number of other organizations that you can contact for help.

What should be done if You are not Satisfied with the Insurance Company’s Claim Settlement 

There are various mechanisms in Insurance Act which we can use in case of any dispute with the Insurance Company

Know your rights

Consider These 4 Steps to Resolve a Dispute

If you have a complaint about your insurer or insurance professional, here’s an overview of options to help ensure your concerns are addressed. ​Please note that dispute practices vary from one province to another.

1. 1. Get more information from your insurer.
      1. Ask your broker, agent, insurance representative or claims adjuster for a more in-depth explanation regarding your concern. Insurance policies are legal contracts and the rights and responsibilities of both parties involved are written within the agreement however sometimes misunderstandings arise.
      2. If you have further questions, ask to speak with the insurer’s claims manager/supervisor.
      3. For general questions you can contact the IBC Consumer Information Centre (CIC). IBC’s CIC staff have years of insurance experience and can answer questions about:
         1. Technicalities of policy wordings and coverage
         2. Factors that could impact your decisions when buying, renewing or updating insurance coverage
         3. How to proceed with a complaint
         4. How to find information about a Complaint Liaison Officer or Ombudsperson
   2. Contact your insurance company’s Complaints Liaison Officer or Ombudsperson. All licensed insurers have a dispute resolution process and the person assigned to make sure the dispute resolution process is enforced within the organization. That person is typically called Complaints Liaison Officer or Ombudsperson. Note that the role of Complaints Liaison Officer or Ombudsperson is defined by the provincial regulator.

When you make a complaint:

1. 1. 1. Make your concern clear and clearly state what you expect
      2. Have all pertinent information and documentation available
      3. Allow time for your insurer’s ombudsperson to investigate and answer your complaint
      4. Make sure you keep a record of the people you talked to and what was said.
   2. Use the General Insurance OmbudService (GIO). If your matter is not resolved with your insurer’s complaints liaison officer, request a final position letter and contact GIO. GIO is an independent, regionally based consumer dispute-resolution system for the insurance industry. Its members include most federally licensed and several provincially incorporated insurers. GIO helps you and your insurer resolve differences about claims-related matters and interpretation of policy coverage in a fair, independent and impartial environment

1. Contact a federal or provincial institutions listed below. If your dispute is not resolved by GIO or if your insurer is not a member of GIO, get in touch with a Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.

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