Co-operators begins issuing N.S. cheque refunds

The Co-operators General Insurance Co. has begun refunding approximately 23,000 policyholders in Nova Scotia in accordance with recent auto insurance legislation passed by the provincial government under Bill-1. The legislation involves a “rate rollback” of 20% of premiums to the beginning of November this year, and a rate freeze which will remain in place until the end of October 2004. Insurers have until the end of January next year to complete the refunding of premiums.Co-operators says the cost of the refund wil be around $1.8 million. “We’re cautiously optimistic that auto insurance reforms in Nova Scotia will work,” comments the company’s Atlantic region vice president Terry McRorie.