In order to keep costs manageable & provide a true "insurance" product (protect against risk rather than provide funding for predicable expenses) nearly all of the standard "individual" health plans on the market are "medically underwritten". This means that the applicant must provide health information and if they have any conditions that require treatment or medications, they will either be declined, or offered coverage with exclusions for these conditions. Clients have questioned why such exclusions are applied – some have said "That is the reason I am buying it, if I didn't need it I wouldn't bother".

One must keep in mind that Insurance is about RISK – simply put, it’s intended to cover the "what if" scenarios. Premiums are collected from the many and paid out for the few who incur a loss. Just as a car or home insurer will not issue coverage for someone who applies after the car or home has been damaged, one cannot buy "insurance" for a pre-existing medical condition. In order for insurers to be able to charge premiums, the chance of loss must be possible rather than probable or definite.

It should also be remembered that the amount insurers are liable to pay in the event of a loss, or in this case, illness, is often many times over what we have paid in premiums. Accordingly, the principal of "premiums of the many pay for the losses of the few" applies.

If we think in purely business terms, it makes sense insurers cannot offer drug coverage at an insurance premium of $75 per month to someone who spends $100 or more per month for medications. It would be like a property insurance company offering a $1000 policy premium on a $300,000 house that has already been burnt to the ground.

If insurers automatically covered everyone who had a health condition, no one would buy until they got sick (after all, why would we bother purchasing coverage we don’t "need"?) This would of course cause the premiums to increase in order to cover the associated costs and eventually premiums would soar to the point where no one could afford them.

Sometimes people question why they have difficulty purchasing individual insurance when this was not the case when they were part of a company benefits plan. With company group plans it is generally mandatory that all employees are automatically enrolled, young & older, healthy & otherwise. Premiums are paid for each and claims come out of the combined "pool." Basically as with all types of insurance products on the market, the majority who do not make claims pay for those who do.

Now for the good news! If you are seeking health insurance coverage as an individual, and you have a medical condition, you do have some options:

• For employees leaving a group plan to start their own practice, or who have been downsized, etc. there are "conversion" products on the market. They must be applied for within 60 days of leaving your group plan and are a little more expensive and benefits can be more limited than "medically underwritten" plans but they do guarantee you coverage. Anyone that is losing his or her benefits for any reason should consider applying for this coverage.

1. In 1996 the government made provisions in the income tax act for "Health & Welfare Trusts." to allow companies to help pay for employee health care costs. These do not confer a taxable benefit to the employee and are a tax write-off for the firm. i.e. Employees get to pay for health expenses with pre-tax dollars while the firm gets a write off.
   
   To qualify under the income tax act a legal Trust must be established. You cannot simply reimburse employees for their expenses (even if you are the only employee.) If you do, the benefit becomes taxable (you might as well just pay them a higher salary.) Historically the accounting and legal costs associated with setting up a Trust have made this unfeasible for smaller firms. There are also privacy issues to contend with (i.e. how would you handle an employee's request for reimbursement for Depression, HIV, medication, etc.? Would they question your motives if you have to let them go a short while after you found out?) In order to address these issues, Mumby Insurance Brokers has teamed up with a "Third Party Administrator" (TPA) that, for a nominal fee, establishes the trust and adjudicates all claims (also required by "the Act") on your behalf.
2. Basic amounts of coverage can normally be obtained through standard insurers, even if you have a medical condition. Though the limits of coverage are lower than the packages offered with the requirement of medical underwriting, these basic plans still offer some relief for current conditions as well as coverage for dental, registered specialists and therapists, and accidental death and dismemberment.

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For many of us, our home is our most valuable asset. Before starting any renovation, talk to us, and we'll make sure you are protected against financial loss should an accident or an injury take place during the project.

Even though your house is adequately insured, your risks change once your home becomes a construction site.
When a contractor works on your home, you need to be protected from a number of risks. Insist that the contractor provide you with proof of Business Liability Insurance, also known as general commercial liability insurance. $2 million is the minimum that should be requested. This protects you if your home is damaged through the contractor's fault, of if your contractor causes damage or injury to third parties, like your neighbours. We are happy to review your contractor's policy to make certain there are no gaps between in and your policy that could leave you financially vulnerable.

If your contractor needs to hire additional trades such as an electrician or plumber, make sure they are insured for the work they perform.

Your contractor should have Worker's Compensation for all the people on the job. If they don't, you could be at risk if a worker is injured on your project.

Don't just take the contractor's word - ask to see a certificate.

If you do the work yourself or plan on acting as your own general contractor and hire others to do the work, talk to us to make sure you are properly protected against damage or injuries suffered as a result of your project.

While most repair or renovation work will not require changes to your homeowner's policy, there are some coverage restrictions you should be aware of. If building materials stored on your property are stolen, they are not usually covered. In addition, if the building is under construction there may be no coverage for vandalism or malicious acts. Water damage is also restricted, especially if it is during the renovation, let us know so that your coverage does not lapse. Remember, tell us about your renovation plans before the work starts. We'll help protect your most valuable asset.

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James Daw, Toronto Star

Huge numbers of Canadians still go to the United States without proper medical insurance.

They are still taking a significant financial risk more than a decade after provinces capped their out-of-country medical coverage.

A survey ordered by the insurance arm of the Royal Bank of Canada found that nearly two-thirds of recent travellers younger than 55 did not buy emergency health insurance.

The survey done by Ipsos-Reid found that only 36 per cent of those ages 18 to 34 and 34 per cent of those 35 to 54 said they bought coverage before travelling south for leisure during the past three years.

All of these travellers might not have needed individual coverage, and most were lucky enough to return home without incident. But those who were injured or fell ill could be paying for their lack of caution for years to come.

Provincial health insurance plans set daily and other dollar limits for emergency care outside of the country. Ontario allows up to $400 a day for a stay in a foreign emergency ward. That would be nowhere near enough to pay for certain emergency procedures.

The United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reports that a major cardio-vascular procedure cost an average of $68,000 in Canadian funds last year, a routine appendectomy $33,000 and treatment of some badly broken legs more than $46,000, RBC Insurance noted in a news release.

Canadian car insurance would cover the broken leg if it resulted from a vehicle collision in the United States, unlike in other parts of the world where coverage is excluded.

But even individual travel coverage would leave you in the lurch if you broke your leg while hang gliding, scuba diving or taking part in a riot.

Considering the relatively minor cost to insure people younger than 65 years of age for a short vacation trip, or to buy a policy that will cover multiple trips per year, travelling without emergency medical coverage is one of the more stupid financial choices one could make.

"Most people think about getting travel insurance for vacations to Europe or the Caribbean, but not for a weekend or day trip to the U.S.," said David Redekop, principal research associate with the Conference Board of Canada. "Unfortunately, this oversight can be extremely costly for people who need emergency medical care while away."

The Ipsos-Reid survey of 1,000 adults was conducted last August. Results are considered accurate within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

About 45 per cent of those who travelled to the United States in the previous three years said they rarely or never purchased travel insurance. Nearly a quarter thought mistakenly that the provincial health insurance covered them fully. That implies a huge number of Canadians take a significant risk each year. Canadians made about 12.5 million trips to the United States last year, according to the Conference Board.

Some of us may not need the sort of individual coverage that is sold by RBC Insurance, or life and property casualty insurers through brokers, travel agents, motor leagues, associations and other bodies.

Many of us already have substantial coverage through extended health care plans offered by our employers. That would apply, for example, to employees, retirees and surviving spouses covered by General Motors of Canada Ltd. benefit plans. The better plans offer these benefits, but some others may not.

Travellers with group plans still need to bring copies of their documentation, including the number of the assistance line that you must call in the event of a health emergency.

It might also be smart to compare which items may only be covered by an individual plan, such as the cost of bringing a car home or having a loved one come to your bedside in hospital.

Finally, some group health plans have lifetime dollar limits. Certificate holders of these plans might be wise to buy an individual plan, provided it does not require you to claim first against your group plan.

There are many other considerations to keep in mind when selecting emergency health insurance, such as exclusions for existing health conditions and changes in medication.

Ontario distributes a helpful guide on travel health insurance. It is available on the Internet or as a pamphlet that can be requested or picked up at some government offices and postal stations.

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If we told you that the government was handing out money for free, would you be interested? No, you won't have to testify at the Gomery inquiry if you accept the offer. All you have to do is set some money aside for your child's (or children's) education – and that's something you may have been considering anyway.

According to information released by Statistics Canada last year, university tuition fees have increased at an average annual rate of 8.1% between 1990/1991 and 2002/2003 – that's four times the rate of inflation. Last year, Canadian undergraduate students paid an average of $4,172 a year in tuition fees. Some professional programs charge significantly higher amounts than that; first-year tuition for a law student at the University of Toronto is currently set at $16,000. Add in books, food and housing costs and you could be looking at a very significant expense.

There are, fortunately, savings vehicles that can help you prepare.

A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a little bit like a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). While you may not deduct the contributions you make, your earnings do accumulate tax-free, and when your child withdraws funds, the growth is taxed in his or her hands – not yours. Since students tend to have little other income, they'll probably end up paying very little (if any) taxes on the money they receive.

Several years ago, the government introduced several changes to make RESPs more attractive and encourage Canadians to start setting money aside for their children's education. Students may now attend a wide variety of qualifying programs, including not only university but also community colleges and trade schools. Even if your child decides not to pursue post-secondary education, your money doesn't go up in smoke — you can roll all of your contributions and up to $50,000 of your earnings into your RRSP provided you have unused contribution room. In the worst case scenario, you'll still keep 80% of your profits and receive a cash refund of your capital.

There's also a lucrative Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) available to anyone who opens an RESP. The government will top up your plan with a grant equal to 20% of your contribution, up to an annual maximum of $400 and a lifetime maximum of $7,200.

You don't have to be rich to take advantage of the plan, either. In fact, if your family earns $35,000 or less a year, changes introduced a few months ago make you eligible for a CESG of 40% on the first $500 you deposit every year. There's also a new Canada Learning Bond that will offer children who qualify for the National Child Benefit supplement a special $500 payment at birth, then $100 every year for the next 15 years.

If you're interested in learning more about the education savings options available to you, we hope you won't hesitate to contact us.

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by Peter Merrick BA, FMA, CFP, FCSI

The year was 1998 it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the month of May. I then received the call that I will never forget. My father who was only 58 years old at the time had just been admitted to North York General, in Toronto. What brought him there was that afternoon he had a major brain seizure which we later found out was caused by a level four brain tumor.

My father had always been responsible with his financial planning, he was a Chartered Accountant by profession and he was very conservative with his financial affairs. What happened in the months that followed were: he had to sell his tax practice, live off of savings until he could start collecting from his disability insurance policy, put his affairs in order and go through numerous cancer treatments in both Canada and the United States, to try to prolong his life.

My father had purchased more than adequate life and disability insurance. If he had lived to age 65 he would have received over $900,000 in after-tax disability benefits. His disability insurance provided a hefty monthly income, what his disability and life insurance policies did not provide was a lump sum that was desperately needed for the expensive cancer therapies he received in Virginia. A huge financial burden would have been lifted off my parents back if someone had introduced the concept of the critical illness insurance to my father and explained its importance as a part of risk management during the financial planning process, when he was well.

The personal story that I just related is not a unique one. It is a sad fact that many of us know or will know someone who has or will suffer from a critical illness. Despite medical advances, critical illness is still all too common. Being diagnosed with a critical illness doesn’t only spell emotional and physical turmoil. It can also mean financial disaster for all those involved. If you are unable to work due to a critical illness, or if you have to give up work to look after a parent, spouse or child with a serious medical condition, you could quickly find yourself struggling to meet your financial obligations such as the mortgage and other regular bills. All this at a time when you may be having to find additional money to pay for medical treatment.

The first critical illness insurance was introduced by Dr. Marius Barnard. Dr. Bernard, was the brother of Christian Barnard the first doctor in the world to perform a successful heart transplant surgery.

Dr. Marius Barnard realized that many patients who had heart transplant surgery performed by his brother, suffered financially from the loss of their income and the increase in their expenses due to the high cost of treatment and their new lifestyles. To alleviate this financial burden he approached an insurance company in South Africa to create the first critical illness insurance, which would financially support patients before, during and after treatment by providing a non taxable lump sum benefit, paid out when a critical illness was diagnosed. Fortunate for us, because of Dr Barnard’s foresight, critical illness insurance can now be purchased in Canada.

One of the most important things to be aware of when choosing a critical illness policy is the list of illnesses and conditions covered by the policy, as this varies from one insurance provider to another. The illnesses covered vary from policy to policy, but they usually include six core conditions: cancer, heart attack/coronary bypass surgery, kidney failure, major organ transplant, multiple sclerosis and stroke. The total number of conditions now covered exceeds some 30 different conditions.

Is having Critical Illness insurance coverage worth the cost? Or is it better to self-insure yourself if you become critically ill?

Responsible Canadian adults have invested the time and money planning for their retirement. But what would happen to those wonderful plans if these individuals had heart attacks or strokes or were diagnosed with cancer today or a few years from now? How would their retirement plans be affected? Let’s look at an example...

Imagine a couple named John and Joan Williams, both are 40 years of age. John is a dentist and Joan is an accountant. Both have made maximum contributions to their RRSPs for the last fifteen years and neither own critical illness insurance. One day Joan finds out from her doctor that she has inflammatory breast cancer, the news is devastating. The good news is Joan has been accepted into a gene therapy trial program at Scripps Mercy Hospital, in San Diego that has had promising results for women with her same condition. However, the treatment will cost $100,000 US, and it is not covered by the Williams’ provincial medical insurance nor their private medical and dental plans. The only place where they can come up with this money fast is from their RRSPs.

Between the 20% US/Canadian exchange rate and a top marginal tax rate of 46% the Williams will have to collectively withdraw $223,000 out of their RRSPs to pay for Joan’s gene therapy. Joan responds terrifically to the treatment and is in full remissions from her cancer, after one year. Now lets fast forward 25 years, Joan and John are now 65 and are about to retire. They never regret withdrawing money out of their RRSPs for Joan’s treatment but wished that 25 years earlier they had owned a critical illness policy on both their lives. For a monthly premium of approximately $60 Joan would have received a non-taxable lump sum benefit of $125,000 from owning a critical illness insurance policy. The opportunity cost that the Williams lost by taking $223,000 out of their RRSPs twenty-five years earlier at a compound growth rate of 7% per year would have added $1,210,317 to their retirement nest egg. I honestly believe that any one who benefits from owning a critical illness policy would never complain about its premiums or say that they own too much insurance coverage.

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Stay alert, slow down and stay in control — the three key elements to safe winter driving. Drive according to current road and weather conditions. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Avoid situations where you may have to brake suddenly on a slippery surface.

Be Prepared — Driver's Checklist

Get your vehicle winter-ready with a maintenance check-up. Don’t wait for winter to set in to have your battery, belts and hoses, radiator, oil, lights, brakes, exhaust system, heater/defroster, wipers and ignition system checked.

The condition of your vehicle’s tires is important. Worn and damaged tires pose a serious problem to driving safety. Have them checked or replaced before winter begins. Also, remember to check tire air pressure frequently as it decreases in colder weather.

While regular or "all-season" tires, including wide and high-performance tires, may be adequate in some areas, they may not be suitable for driving in the snowbelt regions of southern Ontario and throughout the north. If you live and drive in these areas, consider using winter tires. They improve driving safety by providing better traction and handling through snow, slush and on ice. Installing four winter tires provides even greater control and stability. Never mix tires of different tread, size and construction.

Check weather and travel conditions before heading out. Don’t take chances if the weather is bad. Give yourself extra time for travel, or wait until conditions improve. Call the Ministry of Transportation’s information number on road conditions, listed in your local phone directory, or see the online Winter Road Condition Reports.

If you are traveling a long distance, plan your route ahead of time. Let someone know of your destination and expected time of arrival.

Wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement while at the wheel. Keep warm clothing for getting out of your vehicle.

Clear snow and ice from all windows, lights, mirrors and the roof. After starting your vehicle, wait for the interior of the windows to clear of fog so you will have good visibility all around.

Make sure your vehicle is mechanically ready for the rigours of winter and keep your gas tank sufficiently full — at least a half of a tank is recommended.

Make sure you have sufficient windshield washer fluid in the reservoir and that it is rated in the -40°C temperature range. Keep an extra jug in the vehicle.

If you are in an area with cell phone service and have a cell phone, use it only when necessary. When you need help, pull well off the road to make or receive a call. Remember, dialing *OPP will connect you to the nearest Ontario Provincial Police communications centre.

PLAY IT SAFE!

Severe winter driving conditions may make you nervous, uncomfortable or fearful. Unless your trip is absolutely necessary, stay off the road. Proper preparation and the right skills will help you face the challenge of winter driving.

On The Road

Visibility

It’s critical for drivers to see and be seen in low light conditions, and when blowing snow and white-outs impair your visibility. Turn on your vehicle’s full lighting system in poor visibility.

Spacing

It takes longer to stop on a slippery road. It’s important to leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead. A guide to safe spacing under normal driving conditions is the two-second rule. In winter, and especially during poor weather conditions, double the two-second rule.

Two second rule:

1. Pick a marker on the road ahead, such as a road sign or telephone pole.
2. When the rear of the vehicle ahead passes the marker, count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two."
3. When the front of your vehicle reaches the marker, stop counting. If you reach the marker before you count "one thousand and two," you are following too closely.

Braking

Make sure you know how to use your braking system in all weather and road conditions. Consider taking an advanced driving course that teaches emergency driving skills.

Skidding

In a skid, it’s important to regain control of your vehicle, especially if it skids sideways. To do this, decelerate by taking your foot off the brake, step on the clutch or shift to neutral, then look where you want your vehicle to go and steer in that direction.

Snowy Roads

Snow on a road may be hard-packed and slippery as ice. It can also be rutted, and full of hard tracks and gullies. Or, it can be smooth and soft. Wet snow can make for slushy roads. Heavy slush can build up in the wheel wells of your vehicle, and can affect your ability to steer. Remember, look far ahead as you drive, so you can recognize hazards and other situations for which you will have plenty of time to respond. Adjust your driving to the road and weather conditions. Slow down and avoid sudden turns of the steering wheel, and sudden braking and accelerating that could cause a skid.

Ice

Be careful when approaching shaded areas, bridges and overpasses, as these sections of road freeze much sooner in cold weather and stay frozen long after the sun has risen. Watch out for black ice — areas of the road that appear black and shiny, and where your vehicle can lose traction suddenly. Slow down, keep your foot off the brake and be ready to shift to neutral or step on the clutch as your vehicle crosses these areas.

TAKE TIME

To ensure you are prepared to handle winter road conditions consider an advanced driver- training course that teaches emergency driving skills.

The Unexpected

If you get stuck or stranded, don’t panic. Stay with your vehicle for safety and warmth. Wait for help to arrive. If you are in an area with cell phone service and have a cell phone, call for help. Remember, dialing *OPP will connect you to the nearest Ontario Provincial Police communications centre.

Be careful if you have to get out of your vehicle when on the shoulder of a busy road. If possible, use the door away from traffic.

If you attempt to free your vehicle from the snow, be careful. Dress warmly, shovel slowly and do not overexert yourself. Do not attempt to shovel or push your vehicle if you have a medical condition. Body heat is retained when clothing is kept dry. Wet clothing, due to the weather or perspiration, can lead to a dangerous loss of body heat.

Draw attention to your vehicle. Use emergency flashers, flares or a Call Police sign. Run your motor sparingly. Be careful of exhaust fumes. For fresh air, slightly open a window away from the wind. You may have to exit your vehicle occasionally to make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of drifting snow before running the engine.

Winter Driving Survival Kit

t’s a good thing to keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle. Having essential supplies can provide some comfort and safety for you and your passengers should you become stranded. Recommended items:

• Ice scraper/snowbrush
• Shovel
• Sand or other traction aid
• Tow rope or chain
• Booster cables
• Road flares or warning lights
• Gas line antifreeze
• Flashlight and batteries
• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Small tool kit
• Extra clothing and footwear
• Blanket
• Non-perishable energy foods – e.g., chocolate or granola bars, juice, instant coffee, tea, soup, bottled water
• Candle and a small tin can
• Matches

In blizzard conditions, especially overnight, make sure one person stays awake as help could take some time to arrive. Maintain circulation by moving your feet, hands and arms.

DID YOU KNOW . . .

Alcohol is not a good survival item and should never be part of your survival kit. And remember: Never drink and drive!

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca

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Nothing beats roasted marshmallows and scary ghost stories around a
crackling fire on a warm summer evening. But with this camping tradition,
comes the need for increased safety. Keep these points in mind to minimize
campfire dangers.

• Never build a campfire on a windy day. Sparks and embers can travel quite
   a distance and could set an unintentional fire.
• Learn how to safely start a fire without the use of flammable liquids including gasoline, diesel fuel, and lighter fluid.
• Always use a fire pit or build a circle of rocks around your fire to keep it from spreading. Most provincial parks provide a metal fire pit on each campsite.
• Don’t make your fire too big and keep a 6-10 foot clearance around it.
• Do not start a fire under low hanging branches. If you are permitted to, trim
  the branches around the fire before lighting it.
• Don’t keep spare firewood too close to the fire - make sure it is upwind
  and far enough away so sparks don’t fly into it.
• Keep children and pets away from the fire and never leave them unsupervised.
• Teach children how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches on fire.
• Make sure camping gear is set up far enough from the campfire.
• Always make sure you can put out your fire if it gets out of hand. Keep
  water, a shovel, or a fire extinguisher close nearby. Finally make sure your
  fire is completely out before retiring.

All it takes is one spark for things to go wrong. An abandoned fire or one
Built without safe clearances, can change a small fire into a dangerous
fast-moving blaze. Be smart and stay safe..

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Whether you are a sole proprietor, a partner or a shareholder, most business owners have a huge financial and emotional stake in their business. When you are deeply involved in the all-consuming task of building your business, it may be hard to imagine a time when you would no longer be involved in the business. But the reality is that someday your involvement will end. It could happen suddenly and unexpectedly as a result of premature death, from suffering a life altering illness or accident that affects your ability to be an integral part of the business’ operation or even from disagreements with other shareholders or partners. It could be a gradual process involving the transfer of the business to the next generation, a key employee or other shareholders as your retirement unfolds according to plan.

Most business owners look to their business interests to provide for their retirement or their families if something happens earlier. Without a clear plan now, little if any of this value will be available!

The only way to ensure this value is with a solid business continuation plan that details how your business will continue as a viable enterprise without you, if and when any of these events occur.

What happens if you die or cannot work?

Will the business be wrapped up?

• Do you have projects that you are legally bound to complete?
• Will your estate have liability into the future?
• What will happen to the employees that rely on you for their livelihoods?
• What other financial or moral obligations do you have?

Will your partner(s) or other shareholders buy out your interest?

• How will the value be determined? (Will you leave it up to the other owner to determine how much your family will get? Does your spouse have a value in mind that might not be reasonable any longer without you being involved?)
• Will an employee buy your interest and try to keep the business going?
• Where would either of these groups get the money? (What happens if they agree to pay over a period of years and the business fails?)
• Will lenders get nervous and call their loans which would affect the company’s viability and the survivor's ability (and interest) to make payments?
• Will the other owners even want the company if you were a key ingredient in its success?

Any agreement also needs to look at the following:

What happens if the owners no longer get along?

• Will the business be wrapped up?
• Will one owner be bought out?
• Who will determine the value? (It much easier to get agreement on the formula to be used when you are getting along than it is when you don’t! Have you ever seen what happens to family assets when people get divorced?)

How will the buy out funding be provided for? Would you be willing to rely on the buyer’s ability to keep the business going as the means to pay you?

Can one owner sell his / her interest without permission from the other owners?

What happens in a marital breakdown of one owner? (Would their ex spouse suddenly own 50% of their shares?

If one owner has financial difficulties what can happen to their share? Could you come into the office on day to find that your banker is now your partner?

How about at retirement? How would the value be determined and what would the structure of the buy out be? (If the retiring persons has not planned well for their retirement, or their investment portfolio has lost a lot of money they may look to squeeze more out of the company or not be willing to sell their interest since they would be entitled to ongoing dividend income, etc.)

Any good plan must address all of these and more however the best plan without proper funding will not be much help in the case of death or illness.

Please contact us to discuss haw we can help you develop and implement your business continuation plan.

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Approximately 16,000 people are convicted of driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit in Ontario each year. That’s almost two people every hour!

Changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act in 2008 means you could now face a three- day suspension (for your first offence) if you operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .05 to 0.8 or more. In the past, it was a 12 hour suspension. If you are caught as second time, your license may be suspended for seven days, and you will undergo a remedial measures course.

From an insurance perspective, any suspension is now recorded on your driving record. After the first offense, you could face significantly higher insurance premiums.

While you license is suspended, you are uninsurable.

About one quarter of all Ontario collisions with fatalities involve drinking drivers. Drinking and driving hurts us all- through deaths, injuries and personal tragedies, in addition to costs for health care, emergency response and property damage. Please don’t drink and drive.

Did you know?

In Ontario the legal limit for blood-alcohol is .08 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood.

Keep our roads safe for all motorists

If you host an event or party where alcohol is served, you have a legal responsibility to ensure your guests do not drive after drinking. If your event requires a liquor permit, your liability exposure is greatly increased. The line between host liability and liquor legal liability can be fuzzy. Talk to us about insurance options that can reduce your liquor
liability exposure.

Attention party or event hosts: Here are some hints to reduce you liquor liability exposure:

1. Hire a licensed and insured vendor to serve the alcohol.
2. Serve drinks rather than having a self-serve bar.
3. Serve food, as adequate amounts of food slow down the effects of alcohol.
4. Offer plenty of non-alcoholic drinks.
5. Hold the event early in the day to discourage excessive drinking.
6. Provide a taxi or alternative form of transportation for quests who have imbibed.

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