FAQs
Effective on January 1, 2011 for lawyers and April 1, 2011 for law firm employees, The Personal Insurance Company (The Personal) will replace TD Insurance Meloche Monnex (Meloche Monnex) as the insurer of the Canadian Bar Insurance Association (CBIA) Home and Auto insurance program.
• Was this decision to change insurers the result of any price or service concerns?
• Will my policy automatically renew with The Personal?
• What will happen to my TD Insurance Meloche Monnex policy when it renews?
• Will I receive a lower price under the new program?
• I have questions you have not addressed, is there someone I can speak with at CBIA?
Was this decision to change insurers the result of any price or service concerns?
Our decision does not reflect any concerns with the competitiveness of the rates and level of customer service offered by Meloche Monnex. Please see the next question for a detailed explanation of why we are changing insurers.
If there are no issues with the rates and service offered by Meloche Monnex, why is the CBIA changing to The Personal?
“Ownership and control”. One of the CBIA’s Guiding Principles is that “Reasonable control over programs shall be maintained.” Without reasonable control, the CBIA has less strength to negotiate positive changes with its insurers. It also makes it difficult or impossible to share any financial success with customers through improved benefits, lower rates and refunded premiums. The CBIA Term Life program’s long history of policy improvements, rate reductions and premium refunds is an excellent example of how ownership and control can benefit CBIA customers.
Will my policy automatically renew with The Personal?
Unfortunately, Meloche Monnex will not supply the information required for The Personal to automatically provide you with a renewal. However, with your permission, Meloche Monnex will share enough details with The Personal so that they may contact you close to the date of your next policy expiration and offer you an opportunity to obtain a quote. Your consent can be provided by clicking on “TD Meloche Monnex Consent Form” at the left side of this page. Please be aware that it may take several days for The Personal to receive your information. If you are within 30 days of your policy expiration date, you are strongly advised to call The Personal for a quote at 1-877-314-6274 as they may not receive your information in time.
What will happen to my TD Insurance Meloche Monnex policy when it renews?
Our change of insurers will not impact your policy until your first renewal after the change. At that time Meloche Monnex may make a renewal offer subject to their normal underwriting guidelines. However, your new rates will no longer reflect the CBIA negotiated discounts which may impact your cost. As a result, we strongly recommend that you obtain a quote from The Personal at least 30 days prior to your Meloche Monnex renewal to allow time to make a comparison.
Will I receive a lower price under the new program?
As every insurer uses different rates to reflect their experience in specific categories and regions, it is impossible for us to determine what your rate with The Personal will be at this time. However, based our competitive studies, we believe most people will pay a lower cost with The Personal. The competitiveness and quality of service is reflected in the fact that 96% of clients renew their policies with The Personal year after year.
Do I have to be a CBA member or work for a CBA member to be eligible to purchase coverage from The Personal?
No. The CBIA Home and Auto insurance program is offered to both CBA members and non-members at the same cost. In addition, spouses and children (still living at home) are also eligible to purchase this coverage.
I have questions you have not addressed, is there someone I can speak with at CBIA?
Please contact Mike Mooy, National Marketing Director CBIA 1-800-267-2242 or email at m.mooy@barinsurance.com.