Skyrocketing Insurance Rates

Toronto citizens believe problem will become an election concern in the future

After becoming a pivotal point in New Brunswick's recent election, the car insurance issue could prove decisive in Ontario as well. A brief survey of Torontonians was enough to show that recent rate hikes have brought car insurance to exorbitant prices, and that many people would gladly see a government-regulated system in place.
Turning insurance into a main issue for the next campaign should not be overly difficult. Just asking a question is often enough to fuel controversy. New Brunswick's incumbent premier Bernard Lord nearly lost the election for his failure to act on car insurance rates. That close call came as a wake-up call for Ernie Eves, who will soon have to call an election.
Torontonians hold different opinions, but they all share a common trait: nobody likes the current system, not necessarily because of its high cost.
Paul and Carlos Fernandes are two brothers who run a College Street locale. "I've heard of the New Brunswick election," remarks Carlos. "However, I don't think that this issue will be so important here in Ontario. Here, rates are high, but not so high as in the province run by Bernard Lord. I own two cars, and I'm well aware that I would spend almost twice as much in New Brunswick. Moreover, the voters were convinced that the provincial government had specific responsibilities on this issue. This is not the case here, at least for the moment."
His brother Paul tells of his recent experience with insurance companies. "For eight years I rode a motorbike, then I needed a car for my job so I went to my insurance company and inquired whether I could benefit from the experience accrued. I had had no accidents in those eight years. They told me that those accident-free years would not be considered in my new policy. Then they asked me whether I had been ticketed for speeding. When I told them that I had, I found out that those tickets would be considered. I paid a lot of money for insuring a simple Honda Civic."
Carlos returns to the election subject, and he admits to changing his mind in the meantime. "Well, after all I think that our government could and should do something. I would really prefer giving money to the Province so that they repaired our streets rather than to my insurance company. Right now, with 10 years' worth of insurance one could buy a new car, even an expensive one."
Victor Alves is working near a road construction site. He speaks freely of this issue. "As far as I can tell, there's been a strong rise in rates. I own a three-year-old pickup truck that costs me $2,000 per year. I inquired about the rate for a Honda Civic and they asked me over $4,000 per year. Rates are skyrocketing, and predicting whether this issue will weigh on the coming campaign isn't easy. If people understand that the provincial government can do something about it, car insurance will be a theme for the next election. I think that honest people are sick and tired of paying for those who defraud insurance companies or for the damages done by drunk drivers."
Another opinion worth listening to comes from a police officer who's interested in anything dealing with cars both as a keeper of the peace and as a taxpayer. "I think I'm rather lucky. I don't pay too much in insurance, and last year I paid less than the year before," says Officer Andrew Lawson. "Anyway, it is a fact that prices have been climbing out of control in recent years. In my opinion, the government should do something to bring this sector under control. I would favour a rate-control law, maybe not setting rates but at least monitoring them and preventing abuse."
The last opinion collected belongs to Doris Palozzi. Initially she explains that normally her husband deals with these matters, as she is not an expert.
However, as soon as we mention insurance rates she turns out to know quite a bit about them. "I believe that car insurance will be an issue in the next election, since rates have really gone out of control. I think that people will pressure their representatives, and rightly so. The best system? It would include political monitoring, although without complete control."

Publication Date: 2003-06-22
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=2873