Customers’ Rights and Responsibilities

At BrokerLink, we strive to be easy to deal with and go beyond expectations to deliver a customer experience that is second-to-none. We are committed to ensuring our customers are informed, treated fairly and aware of their rights.

Fair Treatment of Customers

BrokerLink and its employees are dedicated to upholding your rights as well as the insurance laws within Canada. To achieve this, BrokerLink has a set of internal principles that we ask employees to follow:

  • Adhere to Our Values, legal requirements, professional codes of conduct and best practices;
  • Comply with internal corporate policies;
  • Be transparent, fair, prompt, and consistent in our interactions with customers.
  • Always provide our customers with the information they need to allow them to make educated decisions (regarding their coverage and policies).

General Principles for Customers

Your customer rights also mean that the contract between you, BrokerLink as your insurance brokerage and your insurer includes complete and accurate information. As a customer, we ask that you:

  • Adhere and comply to legal requirements and the insurance laws of your province;
  • Provide your BrokerLink insurance advisor with the information they need to accurately offer you complete coverage at the best value;
  • Ask questions about your policy to ensure you understand what it means, what coverage you have and your obligations under it;
  • Be aware that you have the right to Customer satisfaction and can file a complaint about a service you received;
  • Understand that you have a right to privacy, and that BrokerLink is subject to Canada's federal and provincial privacy laws;
  • Enter any dispute in good faith, provide information in a timely manner and are open to any recommendations that may be made by independent observers.

Customer Experience

A. Marketing and Sales

This stage of the Customer Experience includes marketing and advertising; providing you with quotes; and the purchase of products. In each of these phases of the Customer Experience, BrokerLink will adhere to Our Values, applicable legal requirements, professional codes of conduct and industry best practices. We will always keep your interests at the centre of our business processes and decisions. Some examples of how BrokerLink employees will demonstrate this include:

  • Clearly identify the product being quoted and its main features;
  • Inform you of any changes to a product or procedure; and
  • Inform you of your rights and obligations in connection with product or procedure changes.

B. Claims

We are committed to helping you navigate through the claims process with fairness, transparency, and consistency. Some examples of how we demonstrate this include:

  • Ensure that you are aware and informed of how to submit a claim;
  • Act as a liaison between you and your Insurance provider when needed throughout the claims process.

C. Customer Concern Handling

BrokerLink strives to provide you with exceptional service. We will follow the Customer Concern Handling Policy, which is in place to handle concerns fairly and efficiently, while remaining transparent with you. The Policy outlines the steps of the customer concern handling process for Customers and provides you with the appropriate contact information.

When a Customer has a concern about BrokerLink we will follow the steps in the Customer Concern Handling Protocol and keep Customers informed throughout the process.

RIBO Conduct

This webpage is based on the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) fact sheet about your registered insurance broker.

Registered insurance brokers offer independent advice and Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance products from a variety of companies. Brokers must be licensed by the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO). All RIBO licensees must carry an errors & omissions policy, as well as a fidelity bond, which is designed to provide Customers coverage in the unlikely event that a broker mishandles their premiums. RIBO licensees are required to follow the RIBO Code of Conduct, which establishes rules and standards of professional conduct.

As a customer, you have the right to professional advice from a broker who is well informed about the products they are selling. You have the right to be treated with fairness and integrity.

  • How Insurance Works: You have the right to be informed about how your insurance premiums are calculated. You have the right to access your policy and be clearly informed about the coverage and the claims settlement process.
  • Broker Compensation: You have the right to ask how a broker is paid, the insurance companies they represent, and be informed about any potential conflicts of interest the broker may have. All RIBO licensed brokers must disclose commission information at the point of sale which outlines how they are paid.
  • Understand Your Insurance Needs: You should consider your insurance needs and prepare relevant questions before you talk to a broker. Ask yourself if there have been changes in your personal or business life that could impact your insurance needs. Make sure you provide a detailed and accurate explanation of your circumstances to your broker so they can provide informed recommendations that meet your needs.
  • Insurance Quotes: When obtaining a quote, your broker should always present the best value products available based on your current needs, and document why certain coverage and product options, including lower cost options that may or may not be appropriate for you. Brokers are also expected to comply with the Take-All-Comers rule. For more information on buying auto insurance and the Take-All-Comers rule, visit the FSRA's website.
  • Personal Information: You have the right to understand how your personal information is used and protected. Ask for a copy of the privacy statement from your broker and the insurer.
  • Customer Obligations: You need to ensure that you know and understand your obligations under your insurance policy. For example, your policy will require you to provide updates to your broker and insurer regarding any material changes in your circumstances.
  • Insurance Claims: If you need to file a claim, you have the right to be informed about the procedures and typical timelines for settling your claim, and you may inquire about the status of your claim throughout the process. If your claim is denied, you have the right to an explanation as to why it was denied. Your broker is your advocate as you work through your claim with the insurance company and will liaise as required.
  • Making a Complaint: You can submit a complaint to RIBO if you believe your insurance broker failed to comply with the Registered Insurance Brokers Act, its regulations, or RIBO by-laws. File a complaint on the RIBO complaint page.
  • OmbudServices: In the event you have an insurance claim, your broker will provide you with information about the insurer’s claims process. For any unresolved disputes with an insurer, you may contact the insurer’s Ombudsman, who will attempt to resolve the conflict. If the conflict is not resolved, you will be referred to the General Insurance OmbudServices for P&C insurance.

Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory Organizations (CISRO) Principles of Conduct for Insurance Intermediaries

This webpage is based on the Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory Organizations (CISRO) Principles of Conduct for Insurance Intermediaries.

The CISRO Principles of Conduct for Insurance Intermediaries (the Principles) reflect common regulatory standards for insurance intermediaries in Canada. The Principles outline professional behaviour and conduct expectations for the fair treatment of Customers.

Intermediaries should conduct their business following the Principles that are relevant to them, while ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, rules, or regulatory codes within all jurisdictions where they carry on business. Any more stringent requirements, rules or standards of conduct take priority over the Principles.

The Principles are intended to supplement, complement and build upon the intermediary elements in the Guidance on Conduct of Insurance Business and Fair Treatment of Customers (FTC), issued by CISRO and the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR). The Principles also align with Insurance Core Principles (ICP) of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS).1

The Principles reinforce the fair treatment of Customers throughout the life cycle of the insurance product as a core component of the intermediary business culture. This includes conducting business in an honest and transparent manner. Expectations for the conduct of insurance business may differ depending on the nature of the relationship to the Customer, the type of insurance provided, and the distribution method. Intermediaries with oversight responsibilities must take appropriate measures to ensure that their employees and representatives meet high standards of ethics and integrity.2

Definition of Intermediary: Intermediary is given broad meaning and will differ based on the applicable definitions within different jurisdictions across Canada. It encompasses adjusters, agents, brokers and representatives, as well as business entities that distribute insurance products and services, including managing general agencies and third-party administrators. It also applies to all distribution methods, including over the internet.3

Definition of Customer: Customer refers to policyholder (which may include a certificate holder) or prospective policyholder with whom an insurer or intermediary interacts, and includes, where relevant, other beneficiaries and claimants with a legitimate interest in the policy. Customer may also refer to a consumer, which includes all actual and potential Customers for insurance products.

1 International Association of Insurance Supervisors. Insurance Core Principles, ICP 18 and ICP 19, updated November 2019. https://www.iaisweb.org/page/supervisory-material/icp-on-line-tool
2 The Insurer is responsible for fair treatment of Customers throughout the life cycle of the insurance product, as it is the Insurer that is the ultimate risk carrier. The Insurer’s ultimate responsibility does not absolve Intermediaries of their own responsibilities for which they are accountable.
3 This definition aligns with the CCIR/CISRO FTC guidance. These Principles apply to all Intermediaries that are authorized to do business within any jurisdiction, whether licensed, registered or exempted from licensing or registration.

The Principles outline professional behaviour and conduct expectations for the fair treatment of Customers:

  1. Compliance / Outcomes: Intermediaries must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, rules and regulatory codes to which they are subject.
  2. Customers’ Interests: Intermediaries are expected to place Customers’ interests ahead of their own. This includes when an Intermediary is developing, marketing, recommending, distributing and servicing products.
  3. Conflicts of Interest: Intermediaries are expected to identify, disclose and manage any actual or potential conflict of interest that is associated with a transaction or recommendation. They are expected to avoid entering into or pursuing agreements for which conflicts of interest cannot be managed, or if they interfere with the fair treatment of Customers.
  4. Advice: When providing advice to or for a Customer, Intermediaries are expected to seek appropriate information from the Customer in order to understand and identify their unique needs. Intermediaries are expected to provide objective, accurate and thorough advice that enables the Customer to make an informed decision. Advice is expected to be suitable for the needs of the Customer based on the Customer’s disclosed circumstances.
  5. Disclosure: Intermediaries are expected to provide Customers with objective, appropriate, relevant, timely and accurate information and explanations so that they can make informed decisions. Intermediaries are expected to:
    • Properly disclose the information to all necessary parties, including the insurer; and
    • Disclose information and explanations in a manner that is clear and understandable for Customers, regardless of the distribution model or medium used.
  6. Product and Service Promotion: Intermediaries are expected to ensure that products and services are promoted in a clear and fair manner. Regardless of the distribution model or medium used, Intermediaries are expected to ensure that promotions are not misleading and are easy to understand. Product promotions are expected to disclose all necessary and appropriate information.
  7. Claims, Complaints Handling, and Dispute Resolution: Intermediaries are expected to handle or cooperate in the handling of claims, complaints and disputes in a timely and fair manner.
  8. Protection of Personal and Confidential Information: Intermediaries are expected to take necessary and appropriate measures to protect and manage personal and confidential information. They must comply with all applicable privacy legislation. Customers should be confident that Intermediaries:
    • Only collect and retain information that is necessary and appropriate for the fulfilment of the service or product provided; and
    • Use and disclose the information only for purposes and for the duration for which the Customer has given consent or as required by law.
  9. Competence: Intermediaries are expected to maintain an appropriate level of professional knowledge and should stay current through continuing education to ensure the fair treatment of Customers. Where applicable, continuing education requirements must be fulfilled. Intermediaries are expected to not misrepresent their level of competence or conduct business beyond their level of professional knowledge and experience, and duties must match training/education.
  10. Oversight: Intermediaries with contractual or regulatory oversight obligations are also responsible for the conduct of any employee or third party involved in the marketing, distribution or servicing of an insurance product. Intermediaries are expected to have tools at their disposal such as policies and procedures, training and control mechanisms to ensure the fair treatment of Customers is achieved in relation to their oversight obligations.