New poll: Ontario drivers fed up with antiquated rules requiring them to carry paper form "pink slip"

TORONTO, Feb. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) released the results of a survey* that shows consumers are strongly in favour of being granted the option of carrying their proof of insurance "pink slip" in digital form.

Under Ontario law, every driver must carry their proof of auto insurance "pink slip", which is valid only in paper format. Nova Scotia recently announced that it would become the first Canadian province to allow drivers to carry digital proof of insurance. Currently, 46 U.S. states allow for digital proof of auto insurance.

IBC's January 2018 poll was conducted by the market research firm Leger. The results show that:

• 74% of Ontarians want the option of receiving their insurance documents (proof of insurance card, insurance renewals) electronically;
• 78% of Ontarians feel that receiving their insurance documents electronically would be convenient;
• 88% of Ontarians receive at least one bill electronically (e.g. phone bill, bank statement), and;
• 79% of Ontarians believe that insurance information available online is as safe as paper-based communications.

"Ontario drivers are very supportive of digital documents," said Kim Donaldson, Vice-President, Ontario, IBC.  "We use our mobile devices to get on airplanes and buy our coffees. Why can't we use them to display our proof of insurance?"

The survey results were featured in a report by IBC entitled An Innovation Agenda for Ontario's Insurance Industry. The report outlines a variety of steps the provincial government can take to make auto insurance more convenient for more Ontario drivers. 

"The speed of technological change has outstripped the pace of policy and regulatory change," added Donaldson. "Ontario's property and casualty insurers are looking for the provincial government's commitment to modernize insurance laws to put customers' needs first and meet their evolving online financial needs."

Additional Resources

• InsuranceInnovatiON.ca

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.

P&C insurance touches the lives of nearly every Canadian and plays a critical role in keeping businesses safe and the Canadian economy strong. It employs more than 120,000 Canadians, pays $9 billion in taxes and has a total premium base of $52 billion.

*An online survey of 1,210 Ontarians was completed between January 24 and 26, 2018, using Leger's online panel, LegerWeb. The margin of error for this study was +/-2.8%, 19 times out of 20.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada