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Public auto insurance

Toronto Sun -- Since Ontario has the highest car insurance premiums in Canada and the worst accident benefits coverage for the majority of accident victims, perhaps it’s time we revisited Bob Rae’s proposal to institute government-owned car insurance in Ontario .

After all, private insurers are forever crying poor over low returns, all the while complaining about fraudulent claims and annually increasing premiums for this mandatory product.

So why not give public auto insurance a try? It’s been done in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec .

We don’t hear the public clamouring for a return to the good old days of private insurance in those provinces.

Howard Pawley, former premier of Manitoba, made convincing arguments in favour of public auto insurance in his deputation to Ontario’s

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Submitted Sep 02, 2012 By: angel4me

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VomVom Champion Author Calgary Posts:3,857 Points:1,627,080 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Sep 4, 2012 12:25:44 PM Ignore VomVom Report Abuse crep1291, you mean the Quebec politicians are crooks? You don't say? LOL.
Ducky_NS Veteran Author Halifax Posts:334 Points:316,880 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Sep 4, 2012 10:52:13 AM Ignore Ducky_NS Report Abuse BC has had it for quite some time now and it works really. If modeled after the BC version it should work alright. Profits are returned to the users through numerous driving related programs.
crep1291 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,587 Points:481,455 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Sep 4, 2012 7:47:17 AM Ignore crep1291 Report Abuse The Socitété d'Assurance Automobile du Québec has been making profits for decades. But instead of lowering premiums or returning money to the users, every government in that province has used the surplus as extra income. The SAAQ had to raise its rates because of this.
jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,768 Points:593,695 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 4, 2012 6:30:24 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse Private insures need the money.
DanMtz Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,365 Points:1,245,375 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2012 10:51:50 AM Ignore DanMtz Report Abuse As if the government could do a better job...
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,911 Points:775,195 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 11:24:17 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse FORGET IT
mpg611 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,347 Points:571,960 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 11:21:32 PM Ignore mpg611 Report Abuse Oh please dont give our social/cultural/relgious issues crazed liberals and conservatives in Washington DC more bad ideas.
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,494 Points:734,370 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 11:20:33 PM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Who knows.
amerk73 Champion Author Dallas Posts:7,060 Points:1,623,030 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 10:06:02 PM Ignore amerk73 Report Abuse prices too high
andy1024 Champion Author Allentown Posts:1,712 Points:450,200 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 9:44:09 PM Ignore andy1024 Report Abuse Still public insurance has to break even to not become another burden to tax payers.
VomVom Champion Author Calgary Posts:3,857 Points:1,627,080 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 7:02:21 PM Ignore VomVom Report Abuse Alberta privatized the liquor industry and prices had come down. Competition is always a good thing for the consumer. I can buy a bottle of BC wine a lot cheaper (about 25% less) in Alberta than in BC. However, I do agree that public auto insurance results in lower insurance cost to the drivers.
TerrySawchuk All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:850 Points:305,395 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 3:39:19 PM Ignore TerrySawchuk Report Abuse Toronto sucks.
SUNOIL Champion Author Toledo Posts:5,255 Points:1,927,955 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 3:32:56 PM Ignore SUNOIL Report Abuse No
kelly1016 Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,953 Points:352,940 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 3:02:25 PM Ignore kelly1016 Report Abuse In 2002, BC elected a very right wing government who came with an agenda to privatize everything. Liqueur, ferries, hospitals and, of course, ICBC our public insurance. They initiated a " core review" and brought in a guy from Alberta who was an executive from the private insurance sector. After studying ICBC ( with a view to privatizing) he concluded that British Colmubians are very well served by ICBC and that private insurers would dramatically increase the cost to drivers. Privatization of ICBC was shelved. The other reviews were also found to be in favor of public ownership. The house keeping and food service in hospitals were privatized, and recent audits have indicated poor housekeeping and food service now compared to when employees did these functions and the cost has risen to boot. People who rail against public services do so with little to back up thier positions except thier biased belief that governments cannot do anything right. Research shows different. I am not saying government should do everything, but there are many things they do right and in BC, public insurance is one.
after10 Veteran Author Hamilton Posts:363 Points:47,985 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 2:21:41 PM Ignore after10 Report Abuse This is not a question of whats best .The question is, whats the worst of two evils?After all ,have you ever seen a "small high rise" built with our over paid insurance premiums?If that were a goverment built high rise .There would never be enough funds to put the roof on lol ,regardless of high the premium are.And how would are poor lawyers ever make an honest buck?
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:756,105 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 1:30:50 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse WTF Canada?
mitt4prez Champion Author Tacoma Posts:1,757 Points:1,248,150 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 12:59:38 PM Ignore mitt4prez Report Abuse If Canada wishes to go along with this imbecility, I will be dismayed.
jorobins538 Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,732 Points:638,320 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 12:40:09 PM Ignore jorobins538 Report Abuse Oh, Canada.
Norm10 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,342 Points:162,925 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 12:06:27 PM Ignore Norm10 Report Abuse In Provinces that have government auto insurance it is still cheaper to buy your extension coverage from a private insurance company.
hrjjml All-Star Author Florida Posts:586 Points:380,920 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 8:55:08 AM Ignore hrjjml Report Abuse Ok
leemun Champion Author Utah Posts:5,544 Points:1,042,075 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 8:54:18 AM Ignore leemun Report Abuse Great idea. We would be far better off to nationalise all business and institute central planning.
unipanini All-Star Author New York Posts:903 Points:264,575 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 8:34:50 AM Ignore unipanini Report Abuse interesting
Skunk63 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,562 Points:560,245 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 8:06:58 AM Ignore Skunk63 Report Abuse I'm not surprised this story appears in a Toronto paper.
doggod Champion Author Anchorage Posts:2,858 Points:743,310 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 7:52:44 AM Ignore doggod Report Abuse Oh, here we go again. You don't like the reality the voluntary, competitive marketplace hands you, run to the monopoly of government and do it with coercion. Then all your dreams can come true. In your mind, anyway. Until you have to pay the bigger price later on. The politicians will lead the fools wherever they want to go.
AskMeLater Champion Author Amarillo Posts:1,998 Points:579,975 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 7:50:38 AM Ignore AskMeLater Report Abuse Maybe we can have government control every aspect of our lives. Then we wouldn't have to worry about anything, right?
gs7101 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,533 Points:389,120 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 7:44:33 AM Ignore gs7101 Report Abuse Auto insurance companies are some of the biggest crooks!
Yooperheart Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,430 Points:528,975 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 7:28:30 AM Ignore Yooperheart Report Abuse It may work there, but... have you seen the U.S. balance the budget? Can't do that, don't want them handling my auto insurance.
EvergreenON All-Star Author Ontario Posts:948 Points:485,415 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 7:02:57 AM Ignore EvergreenON Report Abuse Will see, it is not a success in Quebec
rcornero Sophomore Author Toms River Posts:225 Points:367,560 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 7:01:32 AM Ignore rcornero Report Abuse Here's another idea - make insurance optional - then insurance companies will have to really compete for business and costs will come down.
JCI46009IN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,129 Points:439,570 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 6:39:33 AM Ignore JCI46009IN Report Abuse Your right, Eugenian
mabrams184 Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,109 Points:535,740 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 6:29:58 AM Ignore mabrams184 Report Abuse People keep want to give up their rights and control to the government, WHY?! What government does such a good job that you should place your freedoms in their hands.
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:5,753 Points:819,180 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 6:19:27 AM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse No, thank you.
Eugenian Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,872 Points:364,080 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 5:57:31 AM Ignore Eugenian Report Abuse Based on the success that the other provinces have had with it (including lower overhead costs and lower premium rates) it sounds like a good idea.
ReddevilNO Champion Author New Orleans Posts:3,381 Points:582,890 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 5:50:47 AM Ignore ReddevilNO Report Abuse Whatever.
MImusicman Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,883 Points:409,625 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 5:27:59 AM Ignore MImusicman Report Abuse When the gov't raises regulations, prices go up. Eventually all will switch over, then they have control of you.
wrunner Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,455 Points:1,138,535 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 5:22:45 AM Ignore wrunner Report Abuse Another government intervention?! Too many programs are already under government supervision.
GasFreeLeaf Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,250 Points:476,610 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 3:48:30 AM Ignore GasFreeLeaf Report Abuse That would put too many lobbyists out of work here. We have the best insurance laws that the industry's money can buy, so why interfere with this legislated version of free enterprise.
kelly1016 Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,953 Points:352,940 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 2:44:57 AM Ignore kelly1016 Report Abuse Our public in surace company provide great products at very reasonable prices and the profits are returned to the public through targeted policing, driver education programs and revenue to the government. Our rates are lower than most comparable jurisdiction.
kelly1016 Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,953 Points:352,940 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 2:41:21 AM Ignore kelly1016 Report Abuse We have had government insurance for decades and it is very good.
mrjames1818 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,555 Points:2,000,045 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 1:13:16 AM Ignore mrjames1818 Report Abuse Sounds like a good idea on the surface - but whenever the govt touches anything it's like the Midas touch in reverse. Just get us good paying jobs and let us buy our own - competition always works better for the public when it comes to business.
UseLessGasFolks Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,456 Points:1,297,800 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 1:06:27 AM Ignore UseLessGasFolks Report Abuse For-profit insurance will always be a scam.
NOTSOGRN Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,059 Points:1,513,400 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 1:00:54 AM Ignore NOTSOGRN Report Abuse . . There goes Canada...
windows7isfast Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:2,419 Points:493,200 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 12:59:47 AM Ignore windows7isfast Report Abuse ok
steve621 Champion Author Wilmington Posts:2,007 Points:2,110,130 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 12:57:17 AM Ignore steve621 Report Abuse ok
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,733 Points:1,663,740 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 12:57:04 AM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse Find the best insurers. Happy Labor Day weekend to everyone! Enjoy. [Edited by: LanguageMan1 at 9/2/2012 1:59:48 AM EST]
Vetteblu Champion Author Denver Posts:2,685 Points:782,770 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 12:55:56 AM Ignore Vetteblu Report Abuse ????
1Boog Champion Author Lincoln Posts:5,986 Points:1,203,850 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 12:50:07 AM Ignore 1Boog Report Abuse Blame Canada!!
arb0526 Champion Author Greensboro Posts:1,991 Points:412,795 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 12:48:32 AM Ignore arb0526 Report Abuse Government Insurance? Like Geico?
millerin Champion Author Orlando Posts:2,322 Points:483,315 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 12:46:25 AM Ignore millerin Report Abuse hmm...
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:10,911 Points:2,134,530 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2012 12:45:26 AM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse OK