Understanding Insurance Basics

Resources

Federal, provincial and territorial regulators

Canada's insurance industry is regulated federally as well as by the provinces and territories.

Most insurance companies are federally incorporated. The federal government ensures that all federally incorporated insurance companies are financially sound. Federally incorporated insurance companies must also be members of a third–party dispute–resolution system to handle consumer complaints.

However, each province has its own insurance regulator and all insurers must follow the rules and regulations of the province or territory in which they carry on business. Provincial insurance regulators enforce consumer protection laws and also oversee the licensing and conduct of insurance agents and brokers in their province.

If you want to confirm that the insurance company, agent or broker you are dealing with is licensed or registered to do business in your province or territory, or if you want more information on how to protect yourself, contact your provincial or territorial regulator.

A list of federal, provincial and territorial insurance regulators is available on FCAC's website.

Life and health insurance

Information:

• Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA)
  www.clhia.ca

Information and complaints:

• OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance (OLHI)
  www.olhi.ca
  1-888-295-8112 (English)
  1-866-582-2088 (French)
  
  
  

Property and casualty (general) insurance

Information:

• Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)
  www.ibc.ca
  
  Consumer Information Centres:
  
  
  • British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba:
    1-877-772-3777 ext. 222
    
    
  • Alberta and The North: 1-800-377-6378
    
    
  • Ontario: 1-800-387-2880
    
    
  • Quebec: 1-877-288-4321
    
    
  • Atlantic: 1-800-565-7189 ext. 227
    
    
• Quebec: Groupement des assureurs automobiles
  www.gaa.qc.ca
  
  
  • 1-514-288-4321 (Montreal area)
  • 1-877-288-4321 (elsewhere in Quebec)

Information and complaints:

• General Insurance Ombudservice (GIO)
  www.giocanada.org
  1-877-225-0446