BLAME GAME
Fair Alberta Insurance Regulations (FAIR Alberta) recently surveyed Albertan drivers and revealed that the majority of drivers support the province’s current at-fault insurance system.
Specifically, the survey, which was conducted between January 8 and 15, and consulted approximately 900 drivers aged 18 and older, found that 63 percent of respondents prefer the current at-fault insurance system. This figure echoes the company’s previous surveys on the topic.
The survey also voiced concerns over the fairness of treating those responsible for accidents in a similar manner as those not at-fault, with 61 percent of respondents claiming it less fair to allow perpetrators of accidents to be on a more equal footing with the victims. Additionally, 71 percent of respondents expressed concerns over the inability to sue the at-fault driver’s insurance company if the province were to switch to a no-fault system.
In response to the results, Janet Brown, Opinion Research, who helped conduct the survey, told Insurance Business that “in light of our recent findings, it’s evident that Albertans have a strong preference for the at-fault insurance system.” “Our data shows a majority of the population is not only familiar with the current system but also prefers it over the alternative no-fault model.”
PAYING IT FORWARD
Darryl and Brian Hemstreet, owners of CARSTAR Red Deer and CARSTAR Red Deer South recently purchased a $5,000 grant for the Lindsay Thurber Autobody Program in the Red Deer community.
The funding was specifically provided through the Grants Microgrant program. This program caters to evolving community organizations and aids organizations in navigating and developing responsive programming, maintaining vital programming, investing in technology and addressing unforeseen expenses in order to meet community demands.
The grant received will support the Lindsay Thurber Autobody Program, which currently has around 50 students in it enrolled in grades 10 through 12. The money will help in the purchasing of tools, equipment, training programs and more. In addition, a mentorship program will be created for students which will arrange store visits so that students can see, first-hand, the skills they will need in a real-world environment.
CARSTAR Red Deer has already hosted three student field trips in February of this year and has more planned in the future.
