2023-2024 Annual Report
GIO is pleased to announce that this year’s Annual Report is now available!
Here are some key stats from GIO’s Annual Report (as of April 30, 2024):
WEBSITE
25,942 total Canadian visitors (23,941 on the English website, 2,001 on the French website).
CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
6,270 inquiries were received (6,081 contacts in English, 189 contacts in French).
INFORMAL CONCILIATION
345 inquiries were escalated to Informal Conciliation.
MEDIATIONS
22 cases were escalated to the Mediation phase.
SENIOR ADJUDICATIONS
6 cases were escalated to the Senior Adjudication phase.
Click here to read our annual report.
Annual General Meeting
On October 22, GIO held their Annual General Meeting to celebrate GIO’s busiest year to date. GIO staff, stakeholders, and the Board of Directors traveled to the InterContinental Centre in Toronto, Ontario, to review GIO’s success over the last year.
2024 Board of Directors
We would like to thank our Board of Directors for their support and unyielding commitment to the important work that they do every day. Thank you to The Honourable Graydon Nicholas who has finished his term as Chair of the Board. Graydon’s work and dedication to the principles of GIO have been greatly appreciated. We are pleased to share that Dr. Catherine Aczél Boivie will be taking on the role of Chair of the Board for this upcoming year.
GIO 2024 Board of Directors
Dr. Catherine Aczél Boivie, Chair of the Board, Independent Director, B.C. & Yukon
The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Vice-Chair of the Board, Independent Director, Atlantic Canada
John Parisella, Independent Director, Quebec
Penny Collenette, Independent Director, Ontario
Kristal Kaye, Independent Director, Prairies, Northwest Territories & Nunavut
Don Forgeron, ICD.D, Industry Director
Gavin Mascarenhas, CIP, Industry Director
Have you suffered property damage from the Calgary hailstorm, the Jasper wildfire, or the Toronto flood?
GIO is here to help. For more information on these disasters, please click below:
Or visit our disaster portal for more information on how GIO can help with insurance disputes following a natural disaster and tips to protect yourself.
Latest Blog Posts
In case you missed it, we launched a new blog at the beginning of the year to help you better understand your insurance policies. Check out some of the latest posts:
Insurance 101: The Insurance Claims Process
If you are like most people, insurance is something you struggle to understand. We can assure you that you are not alone. A lot of the calls we receive at the General Insurance OmbudService (GIO) are calls from consumers who are looking for information about the insurance claims process and what happens after you suffer a loss.
Insurance 101: What to look for in your travel coverage
Like with any insurance, it’s important to understand your travel insurance policy. The OmbudService for Life and Health insurance has a helpful guide to travel insurance.
Insurance 101: What to look for in Pet Insurance
Unexpected veterinary treatment can cost hundreds and, sometimes, thousands of dollars. It’s no wonder that when illness or injury strikes, many pet owners struggle with how to pay for their pet’s medical care.
Happy National Ombuds Day: Championing Insurance Dispute Resolutions
For our consumers, the value of GIO’s services cannot be overstated. We understand that navigating insurance disputes can be a daunting and stressful experience, but we provide the much-needed support and expertise to help you, our consumers, understand your rights and options.
GIO on the Move
Over the last few months, the GIO team has been busy attending conferences, connecting directly with consumers and peers, and sharing more information about how GIO can help. Here are some highlights:
GIO Team at the Ontario Senior Citizens’ Organizations Fall Exhibition on September 12, 2024
GIO team in Vancouver at the National Insurance Conference of Canada on September 23, 2024.
Our team at the Insurance Institute of Canada: Meet The Industry Night, in London, Ontario on September 26, 2024.
Our team at the INFO Network Members Conference in Toronto on October 2, 2024.
Looking to provide more information about GIO to your members or staff?
If your organization would like a free virtual presentation on:
- What GIO is and how we can help
- How to make a complaint to GIO
- Frequently Asked Questions about GIO’s complaint process
Then please contact admin@giocanada.org for more information.
What’s coming up for GIO
Year-in-review
Stay tuned for the December edition of our newsletter, reviewing the year and looking back at GIO’s accomplishments.
Connect with GIO
Stay in-the-know on the latest extreme weather news, get tips on everything insurance related and more by connecting with GIO on social media and by subscribing to our newsletter:
Photo: Joy Real