With this Bulletin, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) is issuing new and revised forms approved by the Superintendent for statutory accident benefits claims. The forms reflect changes to the automobile insurance system brought about in the Keeping the Promise for a Strong Economy Act (Budget Measures) (Bill 198) and the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS).
Three forms will apply to accidents occurring on or after October 1, 2003 (“Bill 198 claims”) (these are identified by the designation "/198" after the form code).
In addition, sixteen of the new forms are designed to be used as of October 1, 2003, for claims under both the new Bill 198 and the current Bill 59. Some of these forms continue to be applicable to claims under Bill 164.
For convenience, the attached chart sets out the forms that apply to all existing claims, and those that will apply to Bill 198 claims only. The existence of two sets of forms is an inevitable result of the transition to the new system.
Changes to these forms have been made in consultation with the insurance industry, health professionals and other stakeholders. Revisions also include form improvements requested by these stakeholders.
In addition, FSCO is releasing the revised Settlement Disclosure Notice (SDN-198) that required changes to reflect the Bill 198 reforms. The main change in this Notice involves a prohibition on any cash settlement in the 12 months following an accident (with some exceptions).
The Assessment of Attendant Care Needs (Form 1) was also revised and forms part of Ontario Regulation 403/96, Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule - Accidents on or After November 1, 1996 (as amended by Regulation 281/03). For your convenience, the revised Form 1 is being circulated with this Bulletin.
Use of the Forms
Please note that, effective November 1, 2003, pursuant to Regulation 7/00 Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices, the use of a document in place of a form approved by the Superintendent constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice unless none of the deviations in the document affects the substance or is calculated to mislead.
User Manual
The IBC and health professional associations are developing a user manual to assist in the completion of a number of these forms. The user manual will be available, at a future date, at the IBC’s automobile insurance website: www.autoinsurancereforms.on.ca
How to obtain the revised/new forms
Specimen copies of these revised/new forms are attached to this Bulletin. You can also access the forms at FSCO’s website at: www.fsco.gov.on.ca
Bryan P. Davies
Chief Executive Officer and
Superintendent of Financial Services
August 13, 2003
Attachments (PDF):