High Dedutibles for Senior Drivers Called 'Elder Abuse' (Canada)

Advocate targets insurers; High deductibles for senior drivers called 'elder abuse'
Posted By Courtney Whalen
May 9, 2008

As president of the United Senior Citizens of Ontario (USCO), Orillia's Marie Smith spends a lot of time driving to and from meetings, so it's not surprising one of the issues she's passionate about involves cars.

Last week, Smith stood before a room of professionals to share her feelings around how seniors are treated by the auto insurance industry.

When it comes to compensation from being in an accident, that's not well, according to Smith, who said insurance companies place high deductibles on seniors who are going through the justice system looking for compensation after an accident. "It's an- other form of elder abuse," she said Wed- nesday from her Orillia home. "(The courts) only offer about $50,000, and about $30,000 of that goes to the insurance company."

She added its lobbying efforts have resulted in improvements to OHIP coverage, the Bill of Rights for Nursing Homes, assisted drug coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan and many other initiatives.

For more information on USCO, go to www.uscont.ca.

SOURCE: OrilliaPacket
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