Information for consumers on Gore Mutual’s complaint handling process and the role of our Ombudsman
At Gore Mutual Insurance Company (“Gore Mutual”), we want our customers to be completely satisfied with their insurance purchase or claims settlement, and we can proudly say that we usually accomplish this. However, should you have any concerns about your policy, your claim, or our service, the following information will provide you with your next steps towards resolving your concern.
01. Talk to your broker
The first step in resolving a complaint is to contact your broker. Your independent insurance broker works for you; not Gore Mutual. Your broker can speak to us on your behalf to obtain a solution which is acceptable to you or help you contact a Gore Mutual representative who can best resolve your complaint.
02. Work with a Gore Mutual representative
If contact with a Gore Mutual representative is necessary to resolve your complaint, the first inquiry should be directed to the person responsible for your policy or claim, as they are in the best position to help you.
If an agreement cannot be reached with the assigned Gore Mutual representative, your complaint will be escalated to the appropriate supervisor/manager, and further to the appropriate manager/director, if agreement can still not be reached. If following this escalation within the applicable department an agreement was not reached, the manager/director will provide you with their final escalated business decision in writing.
03. Contact the Ombudsman
If following this escalation, an agreement cannot be reached to resolve the matter to your satisfaction, you may contact our Ombudsman. If Steps 01 and 02 have not been completed and you do not have a final escalated business decision in writing from Gore Mutual’s manager/director, you will be redirected back to the applicable Gore Mutual department.
Gore Mutual Ombudsman responsibilities
The Ombudsman is responsible for:
- Overseeing our complaint handing process;
- Ensuring your complaint is addressed;
- Ensuring that you receive a letter outlining our final position if your complaint cannot be resolved;
- Working with the Mutual Insurance Companies OmbudService to address any complaints that could not be resolved by us; and
- Working with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada for any complaints pertaining to loans, credit card charges and other similar transactions that could not be resolved by us.
The Ombudsman cannot:
- Enter into the investigation, negotiation or settlement of an insurance claim.
- Inquire into matters that are being, will be, or have been dealt with by a court or a dispute resolution process.
Gore Mutual’s Ombudsman
Contact Information
Sonya Stark
Ombudsman Gore Mutual Insurance Company PO Box 70 252 Dundas Street N, Cambridge, ON N1R 5T3
Submitting a Complaint
Please submit your complaint to the Ombudsman in writing. Your letter should include:
- Your name, address and policy number
- An email address where you can be reached
- The nature of the dispute
- A description of your expectations and what you want Gore Mutual to do
- A copy of the written final escalated business decision provided by Gore Mutual’s manager/director
Lawyers and Agents
If a lawyer for the matter in dispute represents you, he or she should write to the Ombudsman. Alternatively, Gore Mutual should receive written authorization from your lawyer to deal directly with you to resolve your complaint. If you are writing on behalf of someone else, Gore Mutual must receive a notarized note signed by that person stating that you are authorized to act for him or her in this matter.
Insurance Ombudsman
If we are unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction, our Ombudsman will ensure that you receive a letter outlining Gore Mutual’s final position. Depending on the nature of your complaint, you may then write to the Mutual Insurance Companies OmbudService, General Insurance OmbudService or Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.
Mutual Insurance Companies Ombudservice (“MICO”)
MICO assists in the resolution of conflicts between policyholders (customers, insured) and participating property and casualty mutual insurance companies. When a dispute arises between the insurer and the policyholder and the issue cannot be solved with the help of the company’s Ombudsman, an independent mediator is appointed with the objective of helping both parties work towards an acceptable solution.
MICO is the insurance Ombudsman you should contact if you reside anywhere in Canada and if your claim is not about a loan, line of credit, credit card payment or disclosure matters.
MICO deals with complaints about claims related matters or interpretation of policy coverage. MICO does not handle matters that have not been submitted to the insurance company or that have not been yet considered by the insurer’s Ombudsman; settlement procedures established by legislation; matters that have been, or are currently, before the courts; and cases that have already been dealt with by MICO.
Contact MICO
Mutual Insurance Companies OmbudService
1000 McGarry Terrace, Unit #M010, Ottawa, ON, K2J 7A8
Telephone: 1-866-231-2602
Fax: 613-505-5070
info@mutualombudservice.ca
www.mutualombudservice.ca
General Insurance Ombudservice (“GIO”)
GIO assists in the resolution of conflicts between policyholders (customers, insured) and participating insurance companies. When a dispute arises between the insurer and the policyholder and the issue cannot be solved with the help of the company’s Ombudsman, a customer service officer will be assigned to assist with various alternatives including mediation and adjudication.
GIO is another insurance Ombudsman you could contact if you reside anywhere in Canada and if your claim is not about a loan, line of credit, credit card payment or disclosure matters.
GIO deals with complaints about claims related matters or interpretation of policy coverage, policy processing and handling. GIO does not handle matters relating to the cost of insurance and rates, availability of insurance; dispute settlement procedures as required by law or designated regulatory authorities; and matters that have been or are before the courts.
Contact GIO
General Insurance OmbudService
4711 Yonge Street, 10th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 6K8
Telephone: 1-877-225-0446
Fax: 416-299-4261
www.giocanada.org
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (“FCAC”)
FCAC assists in the resolution of conflicts between policyholders (customers, insured) and federally regulated financial institutions. FCAC investigates complaints regarding possible violations of legal obligations that relate to breach of law, code of conduct or public commitment.
FCAC is the agency you should contact if your claim is about a violation of legal obligation relating to a loan, line of credit, credit card payment or disclosure matters.
FCAC does not handle complaints involving: the pricing of products; the quality of service; loan and credit granting practices; billing errors or other general service issues.
Contact FCAC
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
427 Laurier Avenue West, 6th Floor, Ottawa, ON, K1R 1B9
Telephone: 1-866-461-3222
Fax: 1-866-814-2224
www.fcac.gc.ca
Additional information
Additional information may be found at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario website at www.fsrao.ca.