news&views Summer 2019 | Page 54

From Our Partners Laurie Bauer | Business Development Manager, TW Insurance Brokers Working Together to Fight Fraud It’s no secret that everyone would like to pay less for auto insurance. Yet, from 2017 to 2018, Albertans experienced the steepest increase in auto insurance throughout the country. The increase is attributed to a number of factors including recurring instances of extreme weather and the rising cost of car repairs. With cars becoming more like a computer, the cost of repairs has increased significantly. For example, one back-up sensor on a car bumper costs approximately $500 and many vehicles have four; so, insurance companies are no longer paying to repair just the bumper any more. With healthcare costs also on the rise, treatments for injuries as a result of car accidents are an insurance company’s greatest expense. Add insurance fraud to those costs, and how much Canadians must pay for insurance premiums escalates. How does insurance fraud affect me? According to newswire.ca, auto insurance fraud costs Canadians over two billion dollars every year and honest drivers suffer the consequences. In fact, an estimated ten to fifteen per cent of June 2–8, 2019 is Seniors’ Week in Alberta. To celebrate the engagement of ARTA’s seniors with the organization, we are testing your knowledge of ARTA! Fill out the online form and you could win one of five ARTA-branded apparel pieces. The contest is open from June 2–16. Winners will be contacted on Monday, June 17. For full contest rules and to enter, visit arta.net/seniorsweek2019. For a list of community events (and pancake breakfasts!) celebrating Seniors’ Week, visit alberta.ca/seniors-week.aspx O ft! e l s y a d w e f a y nl 54 | arta.net