Along with our brokers and agents, Mutual Fire Insurance is committed to safeguarding your rights whether you're shopping for insurance, or submitting a claim following a loss. You have the right to be fully informed, to fair treatment, to timely complaint resolution, and above all, to privacy. All these rights are grounded in the contract between you and your insurer, and the insurance laws of your province. With rights, however, come responsibilities.
For example, you will be expected to provide complete and accurate information to your insurer. Your policy will also outline further important responsibilities. Insurers, their distribution networks, and governments also have important roles to play in ensuring that your rights are protected. This creates a network of individuals and organizations all working toward a common goal — thereby developing trust.
You can expect access to clear information about your policy, coverage and the claims settlement process. You have the right to an easy-to-understand explanation of how insurance works, and how it will meet your needs. You also have a right to know how insurers calculate price based on relevant facts. Under normal circumstances, insurers will advise an insurance customer (or the customer’s intermediary) of changes to, or the cancellation of, a policy at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the policy. This assumes the customer provides information required for determining renewal terms of the policy at least 45 days prior to the expiration of the policy. You have the right to ask who is providing compensation to your broker or agent for the sale of your insurance. Your broker or agent will provide information detailing for you how he or she is paid, by whom, and in what ways. Insurance companies will disclose their compensation arrangements with their distribution networks. Brokers and Agents are committed to providing information relating to ownership, financing and other relevant facts.
Responsibility to Ask Questions and Share Information
To safeguard your right to purchase appropriate coverage at a competitive price, you should ask questions about your policy as to understand what it covers, and what your obligations are. You can access information through brochures and websites, as well as one-on-one meetings with your broker, agent or company representative. You have the option to shop the marketplace for the combination of coverages and service levels that best suit your insurance needs. To maintain your protection against loss, you must promptly inform your insurance company, broker or agent of any change to your circumstances. Information required to determine renewal terms of your policy must be provided at least 45 days prior to the expiration of the policy.
Insurance companies, their brokers and agents are committed to high standards of customer service. If you have a complaint about the service you have received, you have a right to access your company’s complaint resolution process. Your insurer, agent or broker can provide you with information about how you can ensure that your complaint is heard and promptly handled. Consumers may also contact the independent General Insurance OmbudService.
Responsibility to Resolve Disputes
You should always enter into the dispute resolution process in good faith, provide required information in a timely manner, and remain open to recommendations made by independent observers as part of that process.
You have the right to deal with insurance professionals who exhibit a high ethical standard, and conduct themselves with honesty, integrity, fairness and skill. Brokers and agents must exhibit extensive knowledge of the product, its coverages and its limitations in order to best serve you.
Because it is important for you to disclose any and all information required by an insurer to provide the insurance coverage that best suits you, you have the right to know that your information will be used for the purpose set out in the privacy statement made available to you by your broker, agent or insurance representative. This information will not be disclosed to anyone except as permitted by law. All insurers are subject to Canada’s privacy laws.