Back to top
Insurance Act (amended)

BILL NO. 209

(as introduced)

1st Session, 59th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
54 Elizabeth II, 2005



Private Member's Bill



Insurance Act
(amended)



Graham Steele
Halifax Fairview



First Reading: May 12, 2005

(Explanatory Note)

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

Explanatory Note

This Bill prevents insurance companies from considering certain social and economic factors when deciding whether to issue, renew or terminate an automobile insurance policy or when developing a risk-classification system.

An Act to Amend Chapter 231
of the Revised Statutes, 1989,
the Insurance Act

Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 Chapter 231 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Insurance Act, is amended by adding immediately after Section 155C the following Section:

155CA (1) Notwithstanding Section 155C, in deciding whether to issue, renew or terminate any contract, or to provide or continue any coverage or endorsement, a licensed insurer shall not consider a person's

(a) employment history;

(b) credit card possession;

(c) credit history;

(d) credit rating;

(e) bankruptcy or history of bankruptcy;

(f) residence history;

(g) home ownership;

(h) gross or net worth;

(i) indebtedness; or

(j) late or dishonoured premium payments that did not result in termination of an automobile policy.

(2) No element of a risk-classification system may use any of the following factors:

(a) level of income;

(b) employment history;

(c) occupation, professional or employment circumstances, unless a contract is for a commercial or public vehicle or a vehicle used in the course of carrying on a business, trade or profession;

(d) credit card possession;

(e) credit history;

(f) credit rating;

(g) bankruptcy or history of bankruptcy;

(h) residence history;

(i) home ownership;

(j) gross or net worth;

(k) indebtedness; and

(l) late or dishonoured premium payments that did not result in termination of an automobile policy.

(3) For greater certainty, the Board shall not, pursuant to Section 155C, approve a risk-classification system that contains any of the factors referred to in subsections (1) and (2).

(4) This Section applies to contacts entered into or renewed under this Part on or after the first day of June, 2005.


This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2005 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created May 12, 2005. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.