By Mike Davey
Calgary, Alberta — July 13, 2016 — Alberta is conducting consultations with industry stakeholders on the private automobile insurance system.
According to Leah Holoiday, spokesperson for the Minister of Finance, the consultations will help government determine any potential changes to insurance regulations. There are no plans to institute a public insurance model like those found in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
“The last time these regulations were meaningfully updated was in 2004,” said Holoiday. “This process is about modernizing the current regulations to ensure consumers are able to access a fair and equitable insurance system.”
The Automobile Accident Insurance Benefit Regulation, Automobile Insurance Premiums Regulation, Minor Injury Regulation and Diagnostic and the Treatment Protocols Regulation will be reviewed as part of this consultation.
Alberta’s automobile insurance rates are the second-highest in Canada. Only Ontarians pay more.
Discussion papers have been sent out to affected stakeholders. The government will be collecting feedback until August 31, 2016 and will follow-up with meetings. Potential changes to any of the regulations could be brought forward next summer.