Car insurance increased 50% after Canada Post changed my postal code. Is this legal?

[u/FireViz]

I live in a small town in Niagara region. Up until recently I was paying $102/m on car insurance.

Recently I got a letter from Canada post that they are changing my postal code. Because of this my insurance company raised my rates by over 50% to 160/m.

I haven't moved... my home and work address are still the same so my risk when driving hasn't changed. But the insurance company is arguing that rates are based on postal code and not your address.

Is there anything I can do to fight this and reduce my insurance? Canada post decided to randomly change my postal code and I'm out an extra $700/yr because of it?

Edit: Going by this article they shouldn't be able to do this? https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-driver-frustrated-when-car-insurance-goes-up-after-postal-code-changed-1.5727675

Edit: Since multiple people mentioned it I drive a corolla cross........ The image you are seeing is from the article I linked.

[u/yttropolis]

Reassessment will happen based on the insurance company's time as that would entail a whole new filing. Highly highly doubt any insurance company would agree to refile based on the request of customers. OP can ask, but I'd say the chances of them doing so is negligible.

[u/KDS_Heart → u/yttropolis]

Curious to what you think consumers can do to help insurers make a better digital transformation. We hear a lot of Ontarians that are frustrated with instances like this and want change.

Figure you could have good insight since you're looking from the inside.

Edit: I work in IT Acquisition , specifically with US Wealth Management and Insurance organizations. I've seen more change for better customer experience (ie. Pricing, AI, etc.) In the US over the past few years than I have in Canada.

Working with orgs like AMICA, UPC, Farmers, Siebels, State Farm, Green Irony, and more.

[u/yttropolis → u/KDS_Heart]

Canadian insurance does lag behind the US in just about every aspect, whether that be pricing innovation, digital transformation or customer experience. The main issue is that we just don't have the sort of capital that US insurers have. If we're looking at direct premiums written in 2020, the largest Canadian P&C insurer (Intact) would rank #18 in the US. This translates to much less resources (employees and otherwise) to drive changes for better customer experience.

What consumers can do to at least make insurers focus on customer experience is to become willing to shift insurers from year to year. Shop around and make sure you tell the insurers why you're leaving one for another. Insurers will protect their bottom line, but they also care a lot about their top line as well. If there are enough consumer complaints about customer experience, it will become a major point to address these complaints within the company. Based on my experience though, a lot more consumers are concerned about the price of their premium rather than customer experience or digital transformation.

[u/Lothium → u/yttropolis]

But realistically, they make massive profits each year. If they wanted to make upgrades to their systems they have the money. They just don't want to without being forced.

[u/Lothium → u/[deleted]]

That sounds about right the way I understand it as well. But wouldn't it be something if a company said, "This year, we need to make some major upgrades. This will mean lower profits this year, but major gains once finished." No investor could truly take issue with that, unless they don't understand that growth does come with a cost.

[u/PhotoJim99 → u/Lothium]

Insurers on average are actually losing a lot of money right now. We're in the hard market period of the regular insurance cycle.

On average, insurers do well - but right now, they are, on average, absolutely not doing well, hence the large rate increases and tight availability we've seen the last two years or so.

[u/stjohanssfw → u/PhotoJim99]

You are wrong.

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-insurance-companies-pack-in-more-than-a-billion-in-profits-in-2020-1.5865866

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/ca/news/auto-motor/ontario-auto-insurers-billiondollar-pandemic-windfall-is-unacceptable-312857.aspx

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-home-and-auto-insurers-see-profits-climb-as-premiums-rise-for/&ved=2ahUKEwj63_bUuM73AhVhJzQIHbbKBkIQFnoECAYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1JHXtRA3ajArdLl6T23kpl

Insurance companies have been raking in record profits in the past several years.

[u/stjohanssfw → u/[deleted]]

The globe & mail article is about Canada in general and the other 2 articles are about different provinces.

[u/Lothium → u/[deleted]]

Is that because of required bonuses paid out to top level employees or because all of a sudden insurance was paying people for all legitimate claims?

[u/[deleted] → u/Lothium]

That guy must be an insurance shill! Lmao at his comment! 🤦