2013-08-28
The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has eliminated its mediation backlog for disputes related to auto insurance claims, although that does mean that arbitration applications are increasing.
As of Aug. 19, the regulator had eliminated the “unprecedented” backlog of applications for mediation, which began around 2008.
New applications for mediation are assigned to FSCO mediators within a couple of days of receipt. All mediations are conducted within 60 days, unless the parties agree on an extension.
“FSCO implemented a number of initiatives that significantly reduced the backlog of mediation files, such as an online scheduling system (the eCalendar) and the use of a private dispute resolution service provider,” the commission’s website says.
“There has been a steady increase in Applications for Arbitration since 2006-07,” FSCO also notes. “As a result of clearing the mediation backlog and other external factors, this trend is continuing.”
About 72% of failed mediations proceed to arbitration at FSCO and the regulator said it is continuing to use the private service provider to assist with arbitration files.
Arbitration applications at FSCO
Comment on page:
FAIR
When we look at those numbers we see that the steady incline of claims follows the decline in benefits. Quick math - 10,510 arbitration hearings that take approximately 6-8 days (according to FSCO)equals between 63,060 and 84,080 days of hearings. Divide that by the 5 day week and you have 16,816 weeks of Arbitration hearings to work through. Claimants often do not file immediately and the next few months will put upward pressure on the numbers. FSCO has merely shifted the problem to the Arbitration Unit. What is this going to cost the taxpayer to run all these hearings? Too many accident victims are already waiting 6-8 years to get to an Arbitration hearing before these new cases came on line. This is a catastrophe for those caught in the system waiting for justice and since FAIR is seeing a large jump in those who are representing themselves, the wait time will increase and the access to justice and rehabilitation benefits will be further away than ever before. For those trying to get treatment, these numbers do not offer the hope they need - patients without treatment do not automatically get better and the stresses on our health care have likely followed the same upward pattern. When will the government step in and do the right thing, hold insurers accountable for wrongfully denying legitimate claims and bogging down our justice system?
Posted August 29, 2013 08:01 PM
Source: canadianunderwriter.ca
The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has eliminated its mediation backlog for disputes related to auto insurance claims, although that does mean that arbitration applications are increasing.
As of Aug. 19, the regulator had eliminated the “unprecedented” backlog of applications for mediation, which began around 2008.
New applications for mediation are assigned to FSCO mediators within a couple of days of receipt. All mediations are conducted within 60 days, unless the parties agree on an extension.
“FSCO implemented a number of initiatives that significantly reduced the backlog of mediation files, such as an online scheduling system (the eCalendar) and the use of a private dispute resolution service provider,” the commission’s website says.
“There has been a steady increase in Applications for Arbitration since 2006-07,” FSCO also notes. “As a result of clearing the mediation backlog and other external factors, this trend is continuing.”
About 72% of failed mediations proceed to arbitration at FSCO and the regulator said it is continuing to use the private service provider to assist with arbitration files.
Arbitration applications at FSCO
Comment on page:
FAIR
When we look at those numbers we see that the steady incline of claims follows the decline in benefits. Quick math - 10,510 arbitration hearings that take approximately 6-8 days (according to FSCO)equals between 63,060 and 84,080 days of hearings. Divide that by the 5 day week and you have 16,816 weeks of Arbitration hearings to work through. Claimants often do not file immediately and the next few months will put upward pressure on the numbers. FSCO has merely shifted the problem to the Arbitration Unit. What is this going to cost the taxpayer to run all these hearings? Too many accident victims are already waiting 6-8 years to get to an Arbitration hearing before these new cases came on line. This is a catastrophe for those caught in the system waiting for justice and since FAIR is seeing a large jump in those who are representing themselves, the wait time will increase and the access to justice and rehabilitation benefits will be further away than ever before. For those trying to get treatment, these numbers do not offer the hope they need - patients without treatment do not automatically get better and the stresses on our health care have likely followed the same upward pattern. When will the government step in and do the right thing, hold insurers accountable for wrongfully denying legitimate claims and bogging down our justice system?
Posted August 29, 2013 08:01 PM
Source: canadianunderwriter.ca
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comments.
Canadian Insurance News does not endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that we have the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever.