Decipher Bill 15What is Bill 15 all about and why legal profession and tow truck industry oppose to it? In the past, tow truck industry was unregulated and highly exposed to fraud and scams. Operators use to be paid a referral fee by a car repair or auto body shops to have impaired vehicles towed there. Distressed drivers required to pay for the tow truck service, storehouse and of cause an administrative fees. In some cases, tow operators could sell a collision repair job to the highest bidder, making huge commissions or kickbacks. Many "chasers" were owned by vehicle repair shops.

Be informed. If you require the services of a tow truck driver, know your rights. Here are some tips:Tow Trucks

Make sure the tow truck has a municipal license number on its side before you use its services.

Look to see if the tow truck is affiliated with a reputable company such as an automotive roadside assistance group or Automobile Association.

Ask if the tow truck has a police contract. Listen for obvious clues. Does the driver recommend a particular repair

facility without being asked? If he/she does, this might be an indication that a referral fee arrangement exists. In Toronto, making such a recommendation may be illegal under the Municipal Code, Chapter 545.

Carefully read everything the tow truck driver asks you to sign. Ask that your vehicle be taken to a secure location where an adjuster or

appraiser from your insurance company can have access to it. Some municipalities require that your vehicle be taken to a Collision Reporting Centre or police station before it goes anywhere else.

Contact your insurance company, if possible, for information on towing and where to take your vehicle to be repaired.

Consider having your vehicle towed to a preferred vehicle repair shop. Some insurance companies use preferred repair shops where they have an agreement that guarantees your vehicle will be repaired to the highest possible standards. For more information, contact your insurance company.

Also, the big problem exists in servicing accident benefits. Ontario is offering a greater amount, a higher value of benefits and a significantly longer period in

which benefits are available versus other provinces. For every $1 of premium that Aviva earns, $0.65 is paid out in claims costs. According to Aviva Insurance Co, the Province of Ontario has an average cost of $26,863 compared to $3,628 in Alberta. And of those costs, 48% go to non-treatment expenses, such as legal fees and assessments, versus the 52% that go to actually treating of victims. Claims costs need to come down in order to reduce premiums, especially when 92% of Aviva's policy-holders in Ontario do not make a claim.The Ontario automobile insurance system is an integral part of the economy, but an extremely large amount of claims costs are being spent on healthcare providers, lawyers and other service providers. Compressing these costs would decreased premiums as well.For bodily injury claims, the average cost in Ontario is $157,133 while it is only $50,020 in Alberta. And Ontario drivers are end up paying for inflated or improper payments associated with an insurance claim.

Bill 15 is important because it will create a regulatory framework for the provincial oversight of towing, and reform storage regulations. The bill would allow for things such as:

Bill 15 would enable the Province greater enforcement of tow trucks

Bill 15 will provide legal protections against unethical business practices

Bill 15 to reduce the number of days that a vehicle can be stored after an accident without giving notice to the owner and other persons.

Bill 15 to require tow and storage providers to publish their rates, accept credit card payments and provide itemized invoices before receiving payment.

Bill 15 will reduce auto insurance premiums

Bill 15 -move the auto insurance claim dispute resolution system— to the Ministry of the Attorney General's licence appeal tribunal

Bill 15 -reduce the prejudgment interest rate for non-pecuniary loss for auto accident victims; and

Bill 15 -make changes to the disciplinary process for insurance agents and adjusters.