Insurance Board Developing Fair Filing System

Ron Russell, minister responsible for auto insurance, said the province's information and privacy laws will ensure Nova Scotian's have access to as much information on auto insurance rate filings as possible.

Mr. Russell said the Nova Scotia Insurance Review Board's policy will comply with the province's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation, which protects confidential business information, but that doesn't mean it will prevent consumers from accessing rate filing information.

"The fact is that until we actually start to receive filings, we don't know what kind of information we're dealing with," said Mr. Russell. "What we do know is that our legislation allows the board to have access to a great deal of proprietary information on the insurance companies that operate in Nova Scotia. And we also know that we have some of the most open information legislation in Canada."

Mr. Russell said the board will establish policies for rate filings that will protect consumers and give them access to good information. The board is continuing to review the province's information and privacy legislation and to investigate best practices before finalizing it's policies on this matter. The board will begin accepting auto insurance rate filings on July 1.