IBAO calls for reintroduction of tow legislation with Liberal majority

By CTAR Staff Toronto, Ontario — June 16, 2014 — The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) is calling for the Ontario Liberal government to reintroduce tow legislation that died with the calling of the spring election resulting in a majority government for the Party. With their election and a new majority mandate in tow, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne quickly pledged to reconvene the legislature within two weeks to reintroduce  the Party’s 2014-2015 provincial budget, the same pledge that triggered the spring election in the first place. “The IBAO looks forward to working the new Liberal government to continue where the past minority government left off,” the organization said in a release. “In particular we would like to see the reintroduction of legislation formerly known as Bills 171 and 189 to continue the responsible reforms needed to combat fraud and lower auto insurance rates for consumers.” Bill 189, otherwise known as the Roadside Assistance Protection Act, was a piece of tow legislation first introduced on April 15 by Consumer Services Minister Tracy MacCharles.The legislation would require towing firms to maintain greater transparency for the sake of the industry, insurance stakeholders and consumers. The Bill would need to be introduced once again in the legislature, but if it’s once again proposed and passed it would aim to require towing companies and storage facilities to fully document and publish their rates for consumers, offer itemized invoices clearly outlining the charges for services rendered and increase their payment options to include credit cards if requested. Further, the proposed act would force towers to disclose to consumers any interest the tower or storage provider has in a given location or facility where vehicles can be towed for any range of services, including repair or storage. When Minister MacCharles first tabled the bill, she said Bill 189 would enable consumers to be given access to towed vehicles so that they may remove any personal property from their vehicle. With the Wynne government’s majority mandate, should any of the shelved pieces of legislation be presented they will likely pass without hindrance. For further reading, please read “Ontario introduces towing and vehicle storage legislation” on TowProMag.com.