April 24, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the insurance companies that we do business with are taking steps to help provide relief to our mutual clients.

Most premium relief activity has been around auto insurance to date, as this is the largest line of insurance in Canada which affects most people.

We have compiled the following summary of what actions insurers are currently taking. We hope this will help clarify whether or not you may qualify for insurance premium relief, and we certainly invite you to contact us if you have any questions.

You are able to verify what insurer you are with by locating your policy documents, or your auto insurance pink card.  Please check back often, as we will be updating this form as developments are announce to us.

 

AVIVA will consider reducing auto premium payments on a case-by-case basis if the vehicle use has changed significantly (eg. a substantial reduction in mileage), or where coverage is reduced temporarily on a vehicle that is not being used.  They have also committed to freezing auto insurance renewal premiums (no increases) after June 15, 2020.  The exception to this being where the risk profile has changed (eg. recent claims, driving convictions, or new vehicle or drivers added, etc).

 

Aviva will also consider waiving NSF fees on a case-by-case basis, and may defer payments when you have been impacted financially by the pandemic.  Please make this request of us at least 5 business days in advance of the payment date to allow for sufficient time to stop a payment.

 

On the Property-Insurance side, the “visitation” requirement for Seasonal properties will be suspended where a client is not permitted to check-in on their vacant property for a period of time.

 

 

ECONOMICAL will consider reducing auto premium payments on a case-by-case basis if the vehicle use has changed significantly (eg. a substantial reduction in mileage), or where coverage is reduced temporarily on a vehicle that is not being used.  The will consider waiving NSF fees on a case-by-case basis where Covid-19 has impacted, and payment history is traditionally solid. They will also consider deferring payments by 30 days when you have been impacted financially by the pandemic, subject to you advising us at least 5 business days in advance of the payment date.

 

 

ICPEI will consider reducing auto premium payments on a case-by-case basis if the vehicle use has changed significantly (eg. a substantial reduction in mileage), or where coverage is reduced temporarily on a vehicle that is not being used.  ICPEI is also waving NSF payment fees, and deferring payments when you have been impacted financially by the pandemic, subject to you advising us at least 5 business days in advance of the payment date.

 

 

INTACT will consider reducing auto premium payments for 3 months on a case-by-case basis if the vehicle use has changed significantly (eg. reduction in mileage, or work-commute status), or where coverage is reduced temporarily on a vehicle that is not being used. They ask that the following form be filled out to help see if you qualify: https://www.intact.ca/en/discount-form.html

 

Intact will also consider waiving NSF fees on a case-by-case basis, and may defer payments when you have been impacted financially by the pandemic.  Please make this request of us at least 5 business days in advance of the payment date to allow for sufficient time to stop a payment.

 

 

PAFCO is automatically sending out cheques to their auto policyholders in the amount of 25% of their April monthly premium payment (based on whatever the annual premium was on April 9^th). These cheque are to be sent out “sometime in May”.  They will consider reducing auto premium payments for 3 months on a case-by-case basis if the vehicle use has changed significantly (eg. reduction in mileage, or work-commute status), or where coverage is reduced temporarily on a vehicle that is not being used.

 

Pafco will also consider waiving NSF fees on a case-by-case basis, and may defer payments when you have been impacted financially by the pandemic.  Please make this request of us at least 5 business days in advance of the payment date to allow for sufficient time to stop a payment.

 

 

PEMBRIDGE is automatically sending out checks to their auto policyholders in the amount of 25% of their April monthly premium payment (based on whatever the annual premium was on April 9^th). These cheque are to be sent out “sometime in May”.  They will consider reducing auto premium payments for 3 months on a case-by-case basis if the vehicle use has changed significantly (eg. reduction in mileage, or work-commute status), or where coverage is reduced temporarily on a vehicle that is not being used.

 

Pembridge will also consider waiving NSF fees on a case-by-case basis, and may defer payments when you have been impacted financially by the pandemic.  Please make this request of us at least 5 business days in advance of the payment date to allow for sufficient time to stop a payment.

 

On the Property-Insurance side, Pembridge will be capping Homeowner Insurance renewal premiums at +10% effective June 21^st, subject to there being no change in exposure.

 

 

PORTAGE will consider reducing auto premium payments on a case-by-case basis if the vehicle use has changed significantly (eg. a big reduction in mileage, or work-commute status), or where coverage is reduced temporarily on a vehicle that is not being used.

 

Portage will also consider waiving NSF fees on a case-by-case basis, and may defer payments when you have been impacted financially by the pandemic.  Please make this request of us at least 5 business days in advance of the payment date to allow for sufficient time to stop a payment.

 

 

PROMUTUEL is providing a premium refund to their auto policyholders when they fill out the web form found here: https://www.promutuelassurance.ca/en/relief, or you can contact us for help with this.

 

We have been informed that the refund will be up to 5% of the annual premium, and a minimum of $10.00. It will be sent directly to policyholders after June 15^th either by check or direct deposit.  The request for a refund must be made by May 31^st, 2020.  New policies issued after April 1^st do not qualify, nor do vehicles which are currently “parked” with coverages removed.

 

Promutuel will also consider deferring payments on a case-by-case basis when you have been impacted financially by the pandemic.  Please make this request of us at least 5 business days in advance of the payment date to allow for sufficient time to stop a payment. You may also qualify for reduced premiums where the usage of your vehicle has changed (eg. no longer commuting to work, or reduced monthly mileage), or if you wish to temporarily reduce coverage on a vehicle which is not being used. Please call us to discuss.

 

 

TRAVELERS CANADA is automatically providing a 25% credit on one month’s Auto insurance premium. Customers who have paid their annual premium in full will received a check, while those making monthly premium payment will see a credit applied to their May payment.

 

They will consider reducing auto premium payments for 3 months on a case-by-case basis if the vehicle use has changed significantly (eg. reduction in mileage, or work-commute status), or where coverage is reduced temporarily on a vehicle that is not being used.

 

Travelers will also consider waiving NSF fees on a case-by-case basis, and may defer payments when you have been impacted financially by the pandemic.  Please make this request of us at least 5 business days in advance of the payment date to allow for sufficient time to stop a payment.

 

 

WAWANESA will consider reducing auto premium payments on a case-by-case basis if the vehicle use has changed significantly, or where coverage is reduced temporarily on a vehicle that is not being used.  This said, we have been made aware of “system limitations” that they are experiencing where the changing of vehicle use or coverage may override an “auto premium capping” strategy that they already had in place, pre-COVID 19.  We would therefore need to verify with Wawanesa on a case-by-case basis to see if there was capping in place on an individual’s policy, and what the effect would be in removing coverage or changing rating factors.  Please reach out to us if you have a significant change in your driving habits or coverage requirements so that we can verify if your policy is one that would benefit.

 

Wawanesa will also consider waiving NSF fees on a case-by-case basis, and may defer payments when you have been impacted financially by the pandemic.  Please make this request of us at least 5 business days in advance of the payment date to allow for sufficient time to stop a payment.