Conseil d'experts sur les contributions d'assurance automobile
 
 

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Report from the Panel of Experts
MANDATE, APPROACH AND COMPOSITION OF THE PANEL OF EXPERTS ON AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS

Québec, December 9, 2011 – The Act respecting the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec makes provision that before amending insurance contributions, the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) must first obtain the recommendations of a panel of experts. This is the context for work by the Panel of Experts on automobile insurance contributions, whose report was made public today.

Under the Act, the Panel of Experts must consist of three members who are representative of the actuarial and insurance sectors. The mandate of the Panel of Experts is to review the approach taken by the SAAQ and check the data used in support of the contemplated amendments. The Panel of Experts must also hold public consultations to obtain the opinions of interested parties.

The members of the Panel of Experts are Mr. Michel Sanschagrin, actuary, who chaired the Panel, Ms. Louise Dagnault, chartered accountant, and Mr. Henri Renault, lawyer. The Panel of Experts had to render its opinion on the insurance contribution amendments proposed by the SAAQ for 2011 through 2015. These amendments were published in August 2011 in a discussion document entitled On the Right Path for a Sustainable and Equitable Plan.

In its report, the Panel of Experts made fourteen recommendations. These recommendations are listed in a separate press release.

Panel of Experts’ mandate

“Our mandate dealt mainly with the financial aspects of the plan, including financing, funding and rates,” explained Mr. Sanschagrin. In this respect, the Act makes provision that, in particular, the Panel of Experts must:

  • evaluate the rating criteria for insurance contributions and ascertain that they correspond, in particular, to the principles of self-financing of the plan, of indemnification by road vehicle users, of equity and of administrative feasibility;
     
  • consider the risks inherent in each category of insureds and the equity to be maintained between those categories;
     
  • ensure that the insurance contributions are fair and reasonable;
     
  • consider any financing policy and, where applicable, the need for recapitalization in the event of insufficient assets.

Approach taken by the Panel of Experts

One of the most important aspects of the Panel’s mandate is holding public consultations. Eight submissions were made and other parties also made comments in writing. The authors of the submissions were all heard during public hearings held in Montréal on October 18, 2011, and in Québec on October 25, 2011. The members of the Panel of Experts wish to thank those who took the time to share their points of view. “The public automobile insurance plan belongs to all Quebecers,” said Mr. Sanschagrin, “and their contribution is essential if the plan is to evolve and adapt to society’s needs.”

To carry out its mandate, the Panel of Experts analyzed many documents, including actuarial and financial reports from the Fonds d’assurance automobile du Québec, annual management reports and the funding policy of the SAAQ, the external auditors’ report and the Québec road safety records. The Panel of Experts also had access to a wide variety of information and statistics, in particular during meetings with SAAQ personnel.

Biographies for members of the Panel of Experts

Mr. Michel Sanschagrin is an actuary and a company director. He chaired the Panel of Experts. He also served as Chair in 2005 and 2006 for the first public consultations. Mr. Sanschagrin served as Vice President and General Manager of Administration and Chief Actuary of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. until his retirement in 2004. Before joining Industrial Alliance, Mr. Sanschagrin was President of the Commission administrative des régimes de retraite et d’assurance from 1988 to 1997.

Ms. Louise Dagnault is a chartered accountant by training. She has been a partner at the Mallette firm in Québec since 2003. She is also a member of the firm’s committees in charge of professional quality and training. During her career, Ms. Dagnault has conducted the audit of several public and private companies in the insurance and pension sectors in particular. She has also served in task forces on various areas of interest, such as the administration of supplemental pension plans and enforcement of the Pay Equity Act. She was a member of the Panel of Experts in 2005 and in 2006, for the first public consultation.

Mr. Henri Renault is an associate lawyer with Stein Monast in Québec. Since 1973, he has practiced mainly in insurance and civil liability law. He is also accredited as a mediator in civil and commercial matters by the Québec Bar. Lastly, he is a member of the Institut d’assurance de dommages du Québec, legal advisor at the Société des Experts en sinistre de Québec and President of the Cercle de l’assurance de Québec. Mr. Renault is a lawyer well-regarded by his peers, and he is listed on the Best Lawyers referral list.

The report is available on the Panel of Experts Web site (www.conseilexpert.aauto.ca) as well as on the SAAQ Web site (www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca). Paper copies of the report are available by contacting the Direction des communications at the SAAQ.

 

Information
Jacques Carrière
Communications Coordinator
Conseil d’experts sur les contributions d’assurance automobile
Telephone: 418 643-1890; 1 855 622-4077 (toll free)
Email: email@conseilexpert.aauto.ca

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© Conseil d'experts sur les contributions d'assurance automobile, 2011 Updated 2011-12-09