GOVERNANCE
GIO is a not-for-profit and independent body with no direct ties to specific insurance companies. We use our extensive experience and industry-related insight to work towards a fair solution between consumers and their insurance providers.
The General Insurance OmbudService (GIO) is an independent organization with the sole purpose of helping Canadian consumers resolve disputes or concerns with their home, auto or business insurers, free of charge.
Our Governing body
Regionally and socially diverse
Fully independent perspective
For more information on GIO’s governance and role within Canada’s insurance sector, please contact us or review the following documents:
Affiliations
Canadian Affiliations
Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR)
GIO maintains an ongoing collaborative relationship with government regulators who oversee insurance activity in Canada, while maintaining GIO’s independence. This is done through the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR). The CCIR has a similar relationship with the OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI). These relationships help GIO and OLHI to provide Canadian consumers of insurance products with high quality, effective and efficient complaint resolution services that are accessible, independent, impartial, transparent and fair.
Consumers can contact OLHI for complaints about Life and Health insurance at:
Tel: 1-416-777-9002
Toll Free: 1-888-295-8112
Fax: 1-416-777-9750
Website: www.olhi.ca
Forum of Canadian Ombudsman
GIO is a member of the Forum of Canadian Ombudsman.
For more information see http://www.ombudsmanforum.ca/
INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONS
INFO Network
GIO is a member of the INFO Network, an international association of financial service ombudservices. INFO has identified six Fundamental Principles from worldwide standards relevant to dispute resolution, to which INFO members are committed to aspire.
They are:
- Independence, to secure impartiality
- Clarity of scope and powers
- Accessibility
- Effectiveness
- Fairness
- Transparency and Accountability
These principles are in line with the resolutions of the G8 Economic Summit, and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors. INFO has also pursued Effective Approaches to implementing the Fundamental Principles, keeping in mind the spectrum of cultural, legal and economic circumstances of member countries.
For more information see http://www.networkfso.org/.