St. John’s, NL (October 17, 2018) – PC Party Leader and MHA for Windsor Lake Ches Crosbie has listened to seniors, accident victims and many others who are opposed to caps or thresholds in automobile insurance that would limit the compensation available to insured Newfoundlanders and Labradorians when they are injured.

At an event organized by the umbrella organization Seniors Against Insurance Cap on Wednesday, Crosbie said a government he leads will accept the recommendation of seniors and others to adopt a policy against the imposition of caps or thresholds in automobile insurance.

“A cap on compensation would not lower the cost of insurance premiums that people pay, according to the insurance industry.  Seniors, accident victims and many others have told us caps and thresholds in automobile insurance would leave many people without adequate compensation when they are injured.  They have made a compelling case against the imposition of caps or thresholds, and our Party has listened.” said Crosbie.

“While seniors are concerned about the cost of auto insurance, we have become increasingly concerned about the impact proposed insurance caps would have on seniors in our province.  Many seniors no longer drive, yet they could become the victim of a car accident, either as a pedestrian or passenger.  A cap on insurance claims would have detrimental impacts on these innocent victims, leaving them vulnerable financially and with no ability to challenge the outcome of a settlement.  As well, many seniors that still drive a car are not in favour of an imposed cap on accident claims that would limit the ability to receive fair compensation.” said Robert Rogers, chair of Seniors Against Insurance Cap.

A Crosbie PC government would also reduce insurance costs to consumers by eliminating the 15% retail sales tax on insurance, which the Ball Liberal government introduced in Budget 2016.

While a PC government would eliminate the tax, the Ball Liberals have said they would phase out just a third of the insurance tax in four small steps by 2022, leaving most of the burden in place.

“Despite having overtaxed Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for three years, the Ball Liberals have just said they would continue to tax insurance for the four years to come.  By contrast, a Crosbie PC government will eliminate the insurance tax and reduce the burden people have to pay to be insured.”

Contact:
Devin Drover
Communications Chair
1.709.222.9092
Devin@ChesCrosbie.ca

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Backgrounder

Seniors Against Insurance Cap is an umbrella organization, whose membership includes:

• Newwfoundland and Labrador Public Sector Pensioners Association;
• St. John’s Fire Fighters Retirees Association;
• NAPE Retirees Local 7002;
• Retired Teachers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador;
• National Association of Federal Retirees (NL);
• Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), St. John’s Avalon Chapter 1;
• Marine Atlantic Pensioners Association;
• Lights Retirees (NL Power & NALCOR); 
• CBC pensioners;
• Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Veterans Association;
• Lillian’s Law;
• Newfoundland and Labrador 50+ Federation Inc.; 
• Save Our People Action Committee (SOPAC); and
• Cord Injury Newfoundland and Labrador.