news&views Spring 2015 | Page 43

FROM OUR PARTNERS

FROM OUR PARTNERS

A medical emergency related to a preexisting medical condition may be covered if the condition was deemed stable by the treating physician and that no treatment , recurrence or complication of the condition and / or its symptoms could have been expected , prior to departure from the province of residence . However , all claims are subject to final determination by the Claims Adjustment department at AXA Assistance , and supporting evidence may be required to prove the Medical Emergency was indeed sudden and unforeseeable .
Since the ARTA Benefits Plan Coordinators do not have access to your complete medical history , we cannot confirm if a particular medical condition or ailment would be covered while you are outside Canada .
A copy of the ARTA Emergency Travel Insurance contract for coverage outside Canada is available on the ARTA website , www . arta . net , under the Benefit Programs tab .
Shelly Robichaud is Branch Plan Liaison for the ARTA Retiree Benefits Plan .

How Does Your Car Rate on the CLEAR System ? BY LAURIE BAUER | Business Development Manager , TW Insurance

Your neighbour drives a new GMC Sierra , while you get around in an older but sporty Honda Civic SiR . You both have clean driving records and travel the same distance to work . The Sierra is worth more than the Civic , but then the shock comes — you ’ re paying more for auto insurance than your neighbour . This kind of question leaves consumers asking why — well , the answer is CLEAR .

Every vehicle make , model and year available in Canada is rated according to the Canadian Loss Experience Automobile Rating ( CLEAR ) system . This rating system assesses each type of vehicle based on expected claims frequency and cost , and the likelihood the vehicle will be stolen . This system assists in calculating insurance rates : the lower the claims risk , the lower the rates , and the higher the claims risk , the higher the rates .
According to vehicle data for 2013 and 2014 provided by the Insurance Bureau of Canada , the worst-rated vehicles based on theft frequency claims are as follows :
• Ford F350 SD , AWD ;
• Ford F250 SD , AWD ;
• Honda Civic SiR , 2-door ;
• Cadillac Escalade , 4-door , AWD ;
• Acura RSX Type S , 2-door ;
• Chevy Trailblazer SS , 4-door , AWD .
Vehicles designed with more safety features that experience fewer thefts are more likely to have lower insurance rates . The Honda is stolen more often than the Sierra , which is why its insurance rates are higher in the example above .
Before you decide on your next vehicle purchase , check how the make and model of your new car will affect your auto insurance rates . Visit the ‘ CLEAR ’ section on the Insurance Bureau of Canada website at http :// www . ibc . ca / on / auto / buying-autoinsurance / how-auto-insurance-premiums / clear to see how your car model rates .
Call TW Insurance Brokers at 1-800-272-5688 or visit the website at https :// www . twinsurance . ca to learn more about insurance rates .
news & views SPRING 2015 | 43