TORONTO — May 15, 2012 — A recent Canadian study published in the British Medical Journal finds that teens who drive within three hours of smoking marijuana are twice as likely to be in a car collision.[1] Allstate Insurance Company of Canada and MADD Canada are concerned about all forms of impaired driving and are asking parents to speak to their young drivers about this dangerous behaviour.

“Car collisions are the leading cause of death among Canadian teens,” says Karen Benner of Allstate Canada.^[2] “We’re concerned that many teens don’t know how dangerous driving under the influence of drugs can be. Misconceptions among young drivers may be contributing to the number of injuries and fatalities on the road.”

Canadian teens and driving while under the influence of drugs
While some drivers believe taking drugs like marijuana will not affect their performance behind the wheel, it has been proven that marijuana use makes it hard to judge distances and severely impedes reaction times. Research also shows that new smokers are more likely to feel stronger and more impairing effects of the drug. According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCAS), 47 per cent of all drivers 19 years of age or younger who died in traffic fatalities between 2000 and 2007 had tested positive for either alcohol and/or drugs.[3]

“Teen fatalities in car collisions are not only caused by immaturity or lack of driving experience, but are often a result of risky patterns of behaviour like choosing to get into a car with someone who has been drinking or doing drugs,” says MADD Canada’s national president Denise Dubyk.  

The CCAS has also published data showing driving while under the influence of drugs is becoming more common than drinking and driving in some areas of the country. Within at least the last twelve months, there were more Grade 12 students in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Ontario who admitted to driving while under the influence of drugs than students who said they got behind the wheel after drinking.^[4]

“After alcohol, marijuana is the most common drug used by teens,” says Dubyk. According to MADD Canada, young Canadians ages 15 to 24 make up 60 per cent of people who have or are currently using illegal drugs.[5]

• Survey data from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that seven per cent of high school drivers reported drinking and driving and 12 per cent reported smoking marijuana and then driving.[6]
• Between 14 and 21 per cent of students in Grade 12 report driving within an hour of using cannabis and 33 per cent say they have been in the car with a driver who is high.[7]

Safe driving can start at home

Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference across the country by advocating for community safety and responsible driving. “We want to encourage parents to talk with their kids about the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence of drugs, so we’ve created some materials to help parents get started,” says Benner.

At goodhandsadvice.ca, parents can learn more about insurance for their young driver; they can watch a video about the dangers of driving while under the influence of drugs and sign a safe driving contract. The contract outlines a teen’s driving responsibilities as well as the consequences for not following through.

It’s also important that young drivers understand the criminal consequences of driving impaired. If a teen (aged 18 or older) tests positive for alcohol or drugs at a roadside stop two things will automatically happen:

• They will have their licence suspended for 90 days
• They will likely be charged under section 253a or 253b of the Criminal Code of Canada.

If convicted:

• They will be fined a minimum of $600
• They will have their licence suspended for a minimum of one year
• They will likely be ineligible to buy insurance from a standard insurer for at least three years
• They may have difficulty finding employment.

At madd.ca, parents can also find more information about impaired driving and some interactive educational material to share with their kids. Interactive sites like Why Drive High, developed by Ottawa Public Health and Carlington Community and Health Services demonstrates how drugs interfere with hand eye coordination. Parents should also visit goodhandsadvice.ca to learn more about safe teen driving and to find information to help start a conversation with their teens about responsibility on the road.

 About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 92 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to create future community leaders through the sport of hockey. Learn more about this program at www.allcanadians.com. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.allstate.ca.

 About MADD Canada

MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in more than 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. For more information, visit www.madd.ca.

 25 Years of Partnership

This year, MADD Canada and Allstate Insurance Company of Canada celebrate 25 years of partnership in the effort to stop impaired driving. Allstate Canada has been the lead sponsor on all MADD Canada programs at various times over those years, and has also been a supporting partner in the publication of numerous statistical, research and liability reports. Currently, Allstate Canada is the National Sponsor of the 2011-2012 School Assembly Program, Title Sponsor of Project Red Ribbon and Official Sponsor of Campaign 911.

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 For more information about keeping your teens safe on the road or to speak with Karen Benner, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Jennifer Fox

Thornley Fallis Communications
T: 416.515.7517 x 350

C: 416.473.9565
fox@thornleyfallis.ca

To speak with Denise Dubyk National President of MADD Canada please contact:

Deb Kelly

Communications Manager
MADD Canada

1-800-665-6233/905-829-8805 ext 240

[2] MADD Canada. (2004). Youth statistics. Retrieved April 16, 2012 from http://www.madd.ca/english/youth/stats.html.

[3] Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. (2011). Cross Canada report on student alcohol and drug use. Retrieved April 9, 2012 from http://www.ccsa.ca/2011%20CCSA%20Documents/2011_CCSA_Student_Alcohol_and_Drug_Use_en.pdf

[4] Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. (2011). Cross Canada report on student alcohol and drug use. Retrieved April 9, 2012 from http://www.ccsa.ca/2011%20CCSA%20Documents/2011_CCSA_Student_Alcohol_and_Drug_Use_en.pdf

[5] Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. (2011). Cross Canada report on student alcohol and drug use. Retrieved April 9, 2012 from http://www.ccsa.ca/2011%20CCSA%20Documents/2011_CCSA_Student_Alcohol_and_Drug_Use_en.pdf

[6] CAMH (2011). Drug use among Ontario students. Retrieved April 16, 2012 from http://www.camh.net/Research/Areas_of_research/Population_Life_Course_Studies/OSDUS/2011OSDUHS_Highlights_DrugUseReport.pdf

[7] Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. (2011). Cross Canada report on student alcohol and drug use. Retrieved April 9, 2012 from http://www.ccsa.ca/2011%20CCSA%20Documents/2011_CCSA_Student_Alcohol_and_Drug_Use_en.pdf

TORONTO — April 11, 2012 — Seventy-one per cent of Canadians admit they are not very familiar with their insurance policies, shows a study by Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, and this confusion can lead to people not having enough coverage or not getting the full benefits of their coverage when they need it most. Allstate Canada believes that Canadians can make better decisions about their home and car insurance if they better understand how rates are calculated. 

“Predicting the future with any accuracy is not an easy task, but that is exactly what insurance companies must do for all Canadians to be protected,” says Saskia Matheson, spokesperson for Allstate Canada. “The information we gather from customers, such as what kind of car they drive and how far they drive each day, helps us to make the best predictions possible.”

For example, while the purchase price of a full-size luxury hybrid SUV may be significantly higher than a standard pickup truck, the difference in the cost of insuring one vehicle compared to the other is actually quite small.  Luxury SUV’s are equipped with advanced technology that can assist drivers while on the road, and their safety features also provide more protection which means passengers are less likely to be injured in the event of a collision.  A standard pickup truck, not equipped with the technology or safety features of a luxury vehicle will be cheaper and easier to repair if a collision takes place, but it will not provide the same level of protection to passengers.

What determines car insurance?

There are two main categories when an insurer like Allstate Canada sets a car insurance quote: you and your car. 

The Driver

• Experience: A good record of collision-free driving will help lower insurance rates. Insurance companies will consider a driver’s record, including the number of years he or she has been licensed and accident free, whether there will be multiple drivers on the vehicle and if the car will be lent or borrowed, among other factors.
• Environment: How and where a driver is driving will also affect insurance costs. Does the driver live in a rural or urban area? Will the car be driven on a gravel road or on a highway? Will the driver use the car daily, for business or just for pleasure?
• Policy: In addition, a driver’s deductible, liability limit and any additional coverage will factor into the cost.
• Appetite for risk: Speeding tickets, collisions, fender benders or a history of convictions will increase the cost to insure the driver.

The Car

• Type, year and safety rating:  How much a car costs to repair, how likely it is to be damaged in an accident, as well as how safe the car is for its occupants are all factored into the cost of insurance. While two cars may cost the same amount of money, their safety features—or lack thereof—can mean a significant difference in insurance.

Most Canadian insurance companies use the Vehicle Information Centre of Canada, which collects data from insurers across the country to classify cars by cost to repair, risk of damage, passenger safety and history of theft, to calculate insurance rates. More information on how car insurance is calculated can be found at How Cars Measure Up.

What determines home insurance?

“A home is among the largest financial commitments a person will make, and the best way to protect it is to understand what your home insurance covers and what options are available to you,” says Matheson. “Plus, understanding how the premiums are calculated will inform you as to how much coverage is needed.”

Similar to auto insurance, Allstate Canada considers the home and the homeowner to determine home or tenant insurance premiums.

The Homeowner

• Policy: How much coverage is enough depends on how large your home is, how much it would cost to rebuild, and of course how much  and what kind of belongings are in the home. Taking the time to consult an insurance professional is the best way for homeowners to decide what coverage they need. A homeowner’s checklist can help keep track of the more expensive items and highlight belongings that may require additional coverage.
• Use of home: Do you operate a business out of your home? Are you renting out an apartment?
• Type of owner: Does the homeowner keep up with mortgage payments and maintenance of the home?   

The Home

• Type of home: Apartments, condominiums, semi-detached and detached homes are each considered separately because of size and possible threats to the home and its residents.
• Features of home: Older homes that have not been upgraded will be more expensive to insure. Electricity, wiring, sources of heat, the condition of the foundation and roof are all important considerations. Whether or not the home has a security system can also factor in.
• Location: Some neighbourhoods have higher theft rates or are in low-lying areas with a higher likelihood of sewer backups. Other areas are at risk of wildfires, tornados, high winds and hail storms.

“Of course there are factors, like natural catastrophes and the increasing costs of fraud, that  affect insurance rates, because unfortunately, when claim rates go up,  insurance companies are forced to increase rates to cover the costs,” says Matheson. “The important thing to remember is that the more transparent and accurate you can be with your agent when talking about your protection needs and concerns, the more accurate both the rate and the discounts can be that are applied, and most importantly, you will get the right coverage for you.”

To find out more about calculating insurance, visit www.goodhandsadvice.ca.

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 92 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates. This year, Allstate Canada celebrates 25 years of partnership with MADD Canada in the effort to protect us all from impaired driving. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to create future community leaders through the sport of hockey. Learn more about this program at www.allcanadians.com. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.allstate.ca.

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For more information about calculating insurance rates or to speak with Saskia Matheson, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
T: 416.515.7517 x 350
C: 416.473.9565
fox@thornleyfallis.ca

“A car or a truck is an expensive item, so calculating possible auto insurance premiums when researching what to buy means a more informed decision to avoid big surprises and going over budget,” says Antoine Letourneau, spokesperson for Allstate Canada. “Getting an online insurance quote can often be complicated, but Allstate Canada’s online quote tool provides an initial range in only five questions, with the option of spending a little bit longer to get a more specific estimate,” says Letourneau.

To get an online auto insurance estimate, go to www.allstatequickquote.ca.

What goes into determining car insurance rates? Each insurance provider calculates premiums differently, but typically policies account for these five factors:

• Age of driver;
• Where the driver lives;
• The model of vehicle, though not the colour;
• How far (in kilometres) the car is driven daily;
• Driving record and the number of any additional drivers using the car.

What the policy covers is another important cost factor. In Quebec, drivers can choose if they want to have comprehensive and collision insurance to pay for damage to their car, in addition to the liability coverage they must have. A policy with more types of coverage will have higher premiums than one with just the minimum required by the province.

Most auto insurance companies, like Allstate Canada, offer reduced insurance rates when insuring multiple vehicles on the same policy or if there are other policies with the same insurance provider such as home and tenant insurance. Allstate Canada offers more tips on how to save on car insurance here.

For more information about common auto insurance questions, please visit, www.allstate.ca/En/Products/Auto/FAQs.

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 92 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to guide the next generation of Canada’s hockey youth. Learn more about this program at www.allcanadians.com. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.goodhandsadvice.ca or www.allstate.ca.

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To learn more about Allstate’s online insurance tool or to speak with Antoine Letourneau, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
T: 416.515.7517 x 350
fox@thornleyfallis.ca

TORONTO — March 13, 2012 — Water escape is becoming a growing problem for Canadian homeowners.  According to data from Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, sewer backup accounts for 39 per cent of water-related claims. Since flooding can lead to extensive and devastating damages to a home and property, Allstate Canada wants to help Canadians prepare for the upcoming spring thaw and the rainfall that comes with the season.

“Water seems to be the new fire as it is now the leading cause of property damage in Canada,” says Karen Benner, spokesperson for Allstate Canada. The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates losses related to water damage cost insurance companies and Canadian policyholders at least $1.7 billion every year. “Even if your neighbourhood has never experienced problems with basement flooding or sewer backup, your home can still be at risk. Overloaded sewers can back up through household sewer lines and flow into basements or ground level apartments,” says Benner.

Sewer backups can happen during intense rainstorms when aging municipal sanitary and storm sewer infrastructures become overloaded. While there is no flood insurance in Canada that protects against rising water levels outside the home, Allstate Canada recommends that Canadians contact their insurance provider to find out what additions can be made to their basic homeowner’s policy to protect them from sewer backup and other damage. To further reduce the risk of water damage, Allstate Canada suggests that Canadians take the following precautions from goodhandsadvice.ca:

Safeguard your possessions

• Create a flood file containing information about household possessions and keep it in a secure place, such as a safety deposit box or waterproof container. This file should have a copy of insurance policies and contact information for the insurance agency.
• Conduct a household inventory. Be sure to keep a list of all major household items and valuables. Keep receipts from major appliances and electronics purchases. These documents are important when filing insurance claims. Allstate Canada provides a homeowner’s checklist at http://bit.ly/AllstateInventory.

Prepare for Water Escape

• Install a backwater valve to prevent sewage from overloaded sewer lines from getting into the house. As well, connect a sump pump, an electric pump placed in the basement of a home, to pump water from the basement outside, and install a battery-operated backup in case of a power failure. Installing a water alarm will also indicate if water is accumulating in the basement.
• Disconnect the house’s downspout from the sewer system by extending it 6 feet away from the house. A downspout is a home’s rain-carrying system and is designed to catch rainwater and melting snow from the roof and funnel water away from the foundation. Doing this will help reduce the amount of storm water that is sent through the combined sewers. Less storm water in the system will help prevent wastewater from backing up through sewer pipes where it can escape through floor drains or any other low lying plumbing fixtures in the basement.
• Don’t use washing machines and dishwashers during rainstorms since they will add more water into an already full sewer system. 
• Raise electrical components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers, and wiring) and appliances at least 12 inches above the home’s projected flood elevation.

Develop an Emergency Plan

• Have a safety kit on hand with drinking water, canned food, first aid, blankets, a radio and a flashlight. Allstate Canada provides a helpful list of Emergency Preparedness Kit Essentials online at goodhandsadvice.ca/en/build-an-emergency-kit.
• Plan and practice a flood evacuation route. Have a safe location to stay, such as a loved one’s home or a hotel. 

Water escape is a common challenge that many homeowners will face. However, by keeping a home in good repair, moving valuables out of water’s way and creating good drainage around the home, potential water damage can be prevented or reduced. Homeowners should contact their insurance agency to learn more about water damage and their homeowner’s insurance or visit www.allstate.ca.

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 92 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to guide the next generation of Canada’s hockey youth. Learn more about this program at www.allcanadians.com to learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.goodhandsadvice.ca or www.allstate.ca.

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For more information about water damage or to speak with Karen Benner, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
T: 416.515.7517 x 350
fox@thornleyfallis.ca

TORONTO — February 29, 2012 — Whether it’s a staged collision, arson or an exaggerated claim, insurance fraud comes in many forms, but fraud in any form costs all Canadians. March is Fraud Prevention Month, and Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is cracking down on insurance fraud and educating Canadians on how to protect themselves against this type of crime.

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), fraudulent claims cost Canadian policyholders and insurance companies several billion dollars per year. The IBC estimates that at least 15 cents of every dollar policyholders pay for their insurance policies goes towards paying out false claims.

“There is no ‘face’ to insurance fraud or any sort of person who is more likely to commit it,” says Saskia Matheson of Allstate Canada. “Too often people commit an insurance crime because it seems victimless, but it is Canadian drivers, tenants and homeowners who end up paying the price for other people’s dishonesty,” says Matheson.

Allstate Canada classifies insurance fraud as “hard” or “soft.” Hard fraud is a deliberate attempt either to stage or invent an accident, injury, theft, fire or other type of loss that would be covered under an insurance policy. Soft fraud is the most common type of insurance fraud and happens when someone exaggerates a legitimate claim.

“We recently had a case where a customer reported a home invasion and provided an extensive list of contents from their home that were stolen,” says Matheson, citing an example of soft fraud. “Our claims team compared the list of items to crime scene photos taken by police, and they discovered that several of the large ticket items that had been reported stolen were actually still in the house after the robbery. In the end, the insured was taken to court for fraud.”

Allstate Canada is cracking down on fraud

Allstate Canada lists the most common types of insurance fraud as staged auto theft, arson, fake damages and inflated claims. Allstate Canada has experts in its Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to investigate questionable claims. While most insurance claims are legitimate, the Canadian Coalition Against Insurance Fraud estimates that 10 to 20 per cent of claims may be false or contain some questionable element. Allstate Canada and its SIU continue to work on new and more effective ways to stop and prevent fraud. When a fraudulent claim is discovered, action is taken immediately — whether it is denying the claim, cancelling the policy or taking legal action against the perpetrators.

Allstate Canada reminds Canadians to provide complete and honest information to their insurance providers about their claims to avoid any delays or problems. Allstate Canada also offers advice at www.goodhandsadvice.ca/fight-fraud to help Canadians protect themselves against insurance fraud and to help keep costs down for everyone.

• If you’re involved in an automobile collision, be sure to obtain the proper information from the other party. Take down the licence plate numbers and get a copy of the police report.
• When using tow trucks, use your insurance company’s network of trusted vendors and read carefully everything the tow truck driver asks you to sign.
• Keep detailed records of your medical treatments. Make sure treatments are necessary and include all dates, locations and who provided the treatments and what diagnoses and services you received.
• Read all forms before signing and never sign a blank insurance form.
• Never take referrals offered by a stranger.
• Keep track of what you own with Allstate Canada’s homeowners checklist: http://goodhandsadvice.ca/media/pdfs/Allstate-homeowners-checklist-ENG-29-07-11.pdf

If you suspect insurance fraud, report it immediately to the police. To submit a confidential tip to the IBC regarding insurance crime, call 1-877-IBC-TIPS. For more information on how to protect yourself from insurance fraud, contact your insurance agency, visit www.goodhandsadvice.ca/fight-fraud, or call the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-ALLSTATE.

Allstate Canada is committed to helping promote fraud awareness and is working with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) during its 2012 Crime Prevention Campaign to educate the general public on the consequences and preventative measures related to personal property crimes which affect us all. Watch Allstate Canada’s presentation at the launch of the OACP’s Crime Prevention Campaign. To find out what Allstate Canada is doing to protect you and your family against insurance fraud, visit the “Good Hands Network” at www.goodhandsadvice.ca.

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 92 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to guide the next generation of Canada’s hockey youth. Learn more about this program at www.allcanadians.com. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.goodhandsadvice.ca or www.allstate.ca.

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For more information about insurance fraud or to speak with Saskia Matheson, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
T: 416.515.7517 x 350
fox@thornleyfallis.ca