Under the new rules, drivers aged 21 and under cannot consume any alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

Ontario is the fourth province to implement zero tolerance legislation for young and new drivers, after Manitoba, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Watch this video for more information regarding Drinking and Driving, the laws aimed at preventing it, and the car insurance implications.

Read more at:

• Zero-tolerance drinking law draws new roadmap for police
• Ministry of Transportation - Impaired Driving section

Canadian Consumers are advised of a current fraud scheme. Phone calls are being made to Ontario consumers stating that upcoming auto insurance regulatory changes will reduce their current coverage. The callers identify themselves as Aviva representatives and then ask for the customer's credit card information.

This is an attempt to steal your money.

Aviva does not contact customers directly to sell insurance or request payment information. Independent insurance brokers that sell Aviva policies are in the process of contacting their customers regarding the upcoming changes, and might discuss premium payment options (including the option to pay by credit card).

If in doubt, it is best to call your insurance broker using the contact information listed on your policy.

Aviva encourages customers to be vigilant in providing payment information during uninitiated calls.

Any consumer receiving such correspondence is asked to contact the Aviva Ombudsman at ombudsman@avivacanada.com or 1-877-689-3634 Ext #43634.

For more information on telemarketing or mail fraud please visit the Royal Canadian Mounted Police website.

Visit our Auto Insurance Reform Information Center.

"We felt that if our clients are there, we need to be too.  This is just a new way of communicating with our clients and prospects." says Cory, "In some senses, it is a game-changer and in others, it really isn't that different.  In our business we have always recognized the importance of listening to our clients, learning about them, networking and interacting.   Social media is just a different way of doing that.  Where it becomes a game-changer is that most of my leads from social media come in the form of recommendations from others.  This means we can't simply market in the traditional manner anymore.  We need to be present in social media and we need to be monitoring our brand."

Click here to view the complete article.

Also quoted in Canadian Underwriter article entitled, Diving into Social Media, Cory has become known for his participation in social media.  "Writing business from social media channels can't be the goal of participation or it won't materialize.  If helping people in a field that you have become an expert in is the goal, writing new business will just happen."  Says Cory.

Rhodes & Williams provides both commercial insurance and personal insurance. Our strength lies in the expertise and customer service provided by our insurance brokers. Contact us now for more information about how our insurance brokers can find you the best possible insurance coverage.

In the fifth annual Marsha Morton Memorial Cystic Fibrosis Tounament, we hope to help raise even more!  Once again, the event will be held at the Hammond Golf & Country Club on Friday September 24th, starting at 11:30.  For further information in playing in this tournament and helping this great cause, please see details here.  Finish off the golf season with a great round, for a great Cause.

Rhodes & Williams Insurance Brokers thanks all of it's corporate partners for support in the past and asks for your consideration in becoming a corporate sponsor once again.

Over the coming months, you are going to be hearing about the fact that your automobile insurance is changing. Every 5 years, there is a mandated review of the auto insurance coverage. The outcome of this review will result in changes to the coverage that you currently have. At this time, Ontario has the highest level of standard coverage in Canada. These are coverages that you pay for, in your automobile insurance premium.

Due to rapidly escalating claims and assessment costs (Did you know that currently for every $1 spent on treatment to make you better after a car accident, $0.60 is spent on assessments?!), in order for insurance companies to be able to continue to provide the product to residents of Ontario, premiums were projected to continue rising sharply. The hope is that these changes will slow down that rise in premium costs, and enable us to continue to provide affordable car insurance in Ontario. After the changes take effect, Ontario will still have the highest level of standard coverage in Canada (although it will be more similar to levels in other provinces), with "Buy-Back" options provided. 

We will be providing our clients with more information in the coming months, but for now, it is important to know that your coverage will be changing on your first renewal on or after September 1^st, 2010, and execution of claims process will change for claims occurring on or after September 1^st, 2010. You will be getting a letter from your insurance company to this effect, towards the end of June. Keep your eye on our website (auto reform guide)and blog for more information.

Why do you care? Because, if there are more losses due to water, that means the cost of home insurance is on the rise. Protecting yourself from losses in the first place, is one way you can take action. Past water losses can result in higher rates, restrictions on insurance protection, or even denial of coverage, not to mention the annoyance and cost associated with clean up, and loss of property that is irreplaceable.

I came across a site on the City of Ottawa website that I thought might be of interest to our clients. It is a discussion of Protective Plumbing Devices and Grants that are available to residents of the City of Ottawa.

Protecting plumbing methods can range from the installation of sump pumps and reconfiguration of footing drainage to the installation of an approved full-port backwater valve on the building's sanitary drain connected to the main City Sewer. The City of Ottawa's "Residential Protective Plumbing Program" can provide financial assistance toward a portion of the costs of the installation of protective plumbing for some eligible property owners.

For more information, please see the city of Ottawa website, and more specifically the, "Grants for Protective Plumbing Devices Section".

Also of interest, take a look at our facebook article, "Flood, sewer backup, ground water, OH MY!"

Stroz Friedberg is a consulting firm that does computer forensics, mobile phone forensics, electronic discovery and cyber crime response, operating at the intersection of law, technology and behavioral sciences. David Garrett, managing director of Stroz Friedberg's San Francisco office, explains why clients may or may not have cyber risk insurance, whether those that have the insurance actually make a claim in the event of a cyber breach, and simple steps any company can take to reduce the exposure.

Newspaper ads have been placed in several Ontario cities newspapers advertising "Auto Insurance" and to call a "1-800" number. The perpetrators of the scheme typically place the newspaper ads for about a week and then move onto another city and newspaper using a different "1-800" number and a new business name. Names used so far have included Arthur and Son, Interprovincial, Smith and Son and Addison.

The victim is then directed to send the insurance premium by Western Union. The victim does not receive any policy and if they call the "1-800" number, it is out of service. No valid insurance coverage has been placed.

People should exercise caution when purchasing their insurance and make certain they are dealing with a legitimate Insurance Broker or Agent.

Any persons who may have been caught by the above scam, please call the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario.

For further information: Telephone number: (416) 365-1900, 1-800-265-3098, Email: Barbara@ribo.com

This may shred your reality, that all insurance brokers are sharp-toothed Ogres, that find ways to take your money and deny coverage by day and steal children by night.  Read more at our "Passion for Protection" Insurance Broker Blog.

 The story of the devestation in Haiti has effected everyone across the world.  Although not "in our back-yard", Rhodes & Williams Staff still felt that they need to do something.  Through various efforts, they were able to collect $543.25 to be donated to the Haiti Relief fund.

Rhodes & Williams Insurance Brokers are so proud of their staff.  Once again, the Rhodes Family has shown what we are made of.

Rhodes & Wiliams Management decided to show our appreciation by matching both donations. Total raised = over $2200!

We are auctioning off two tickets to the Ottawa Senators game on January 26th, 2010 against the New Jersey Devils.  The seats are numbers 13 and 14, section 322, Row P , and also come with a parking pass to lot #7. The face value on the tickets is $36.64 each. To bid, you can tweet with #faucherauction in it, or email me at coryy@rhodeswilliams.com or send me a facebook message.  Really just contact me with your bid and I will do my best to update details of the highest bid here.  I will accept bids until 10 am tomorrow, and the highest bid at that time will be the winner and will need to pick up the tickets at our office by 4:30.

This is a great cause for someone close to home who needs our help - please bid.  Thanks

Starting Bid = Bidding Closed

Rene Faucher Trust Fund

As many of you are aware, a very dear friend, father, brother and husband in our community, Rene Faucher suffered severe injuries due to an unfortunate incident in a pickup hockey game this past Sunday. He went into the boards head first, and suffered a major spinal cord injury. He underwent surgery late into the evening on Sunday and was told on Monday morning he should not expect to walk again. 

Many of us can only imagine what we would do in a situation like this. It is terrible and tragic. Rene and Dianne (his wife) have three small children under the age of 5. Like most families, Rene and Dianne are not in a position to cope with the financial burden ahead. Unfortunately, they do not have long-term disability insurance. Most of you know Rene and Dianne well, but for those of you who do not, they are the type of people that truly make a difference in our community. They are caring and giving beyond belief. Dianne has been raising money for various charities in Ottawa for the past 10 years. Now is our time to return the favour. 

I would ask you to reach into your hearts and only imagine if you were in this situation how grateful you would be to have the help of the people who love you and the support of your local community. Please donate today to help this amazing family that really needs our support. Every donation counts and will make a difference.

http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100121/OTT_Disabled_100121/20100121/?hub=OttawaHome

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&ref=ts&gid=255062743546

http://www.faucherdouglastrustfund.com

OTTAWA, December 18, 2009, Last night, the Ottawa Insurance Brokers Association (OIBA) held its third and final MEGA RIDE Program for the 2009 winter season. In partnership with the RCMP, the OPP, the Military Police and the Ottawa Police Service, OIBA is seeking to make Ottawa roads safer this holiday season.

Last night's MEGA RIDE Program, which took place at the busy off-ramp of Maintland at the Queensway checked over 600 vehicles. The MEGA RIDE program was launched on December 3rd at Aviation Parkway and Cité Collégiale and a second MEGA RIDE program took place December 10th at Hazeldean and Terry Fox.

"We are so proud to be a part of a community program, in which its overall goal is to keep our citizens safe," said OIBA President Gregg Luesby. "In fact, this is the only RIDE Program in Canada where four police forces work in unison on a single RIDE event."

The MEGA RIDE Program, which OIBA has been involved with for the past 10 years, is made possible through sponsorship from the OIBA, Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, Economical Insurance Group, Wawanessa Mutual Insurance Company and Gore Mutual Insurance Company.

In addition to the financial components made possible by the insurance community, local insurance brokers and staff from sponsoring insurance companies also contribute to the success of the Program by volunteering during MEGA RIDE nights. Specifically, the volunteer brokers are responsible for handing out hundreds of "thank you" water bottles to drivers who had not been drinking.

"Insurance brokers are committed to their communities. This program is committed to keeping our communities safe. It's the perfect fit" concluded Luesby.

The Ottawa Insurance Brokers Association (OIBA) is a 'not for profit' association that represents and serves the interests of over 500 independent Property & Casualty Insurance Brokers in Ottawa.

Climate change is in the news and the insurance industry and those who regulate it are very much in the middle of the debate, as evidenced by the activity at the recent meeting of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in San Francisco. Insurance Journal asked Commissioners Joel Ario of Pennsylvania and Mike Kreidler of Washington why climate change is important to them and the industry.

Leib Dodell is no stranger to media or technology liability risks. He has a background in the field, most recently from 2004 to 2009, when he served as president and CEO of Media Professional Insurance. He is currently planning a new specialty E&O facility based in Kansas City called ThinkRisk Underwriting Agency. In this interview, Dodell discusses how the media and technology marketplaces are merging, and why the insurance industry has some adjusting to do to keep up.

You know what they say, "One person's trash is another's treasure".  Although the bidding was fast and furious (bordering on aggressive as the deadlines approached), it all ended peacefully with items purchased ranging from hockey tickets to snack dispensers.

We were able to add $520 to our charity account which will help out these worthwhile causes.

Rhodes & Williams Insurance Brokers is proud to be supporting the community in which we live, work, and do business.

The CRIS program is a specialized curriculum focusing on the insurance and risk management needs of construction projects and contractors.  

The insurance needs of contractors are quite complex. Thus, the CRIS program was developed in response to concerns expressed by many contractors about the difficulty of determining whether their insurance brokers and other risk advisers had the specialized knowledge necessary to properly design and arrange their insurance programs.

Completing the CRIS curriculum will assure that the broker understands the most important insurance needs of contractors. The program also establishes the individual's commitment to the construction industry with a mandatory continuing education component focusing on construction risk and insurance. When dealing with a holder of the CRIS designation, a contractor will know that this person possesses at least a basic-to-intermediate understanding of construction exposures, insurance, and risk management techniques, and that the person is making an effort to stay on top of insurance industry changes and trends affecting contractors.

Contact them now to speak about your specialized insurance needs.

The following individuals were selected based on their experience, the quality of their application, and the letter of support from their principal.

Congratulations to:
Austen Lillies, Rogers Insurance Ltd.
Cory Young, Rhodes & Williams Insurance Brokers
Darren Lipsett, Bridgewater Insurance Agency Ltd.
David Reidy, Henderson Insurance Inc.
Dawn-Anne Finley, Foster Park Baskett Insurance Ltd.
Jeremy Lebsack, Vancouver Island Insurance Centres Inc
Kent Rowe, Wedgwood Insurance Limited
Pete Stefano, Falkins Insurance Group Limited
Peter Bryant, Jones Brown Inc.
Philippe Lareau, Lareau - Insurance Brokers
Rick Parent, Coast Capital Insurance Services Ltd.
Roberta Tasson, The Magnes Group Inc.
Shaun Keyes, Keyes Insurance Brokerage Ltd
Sheroo Hyder, Link Insurance Agency Ltd.
Steve Wallmer, HUB International, Barton Insurance Brokers
Tracy L. Makris, Bryson & Associates Insurance Brokers Ltd.
Trevor Waldron, Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc.
William Mark Shedden, Atrens-Counsel Insurance Brokers Inc.

The Making Partner Program is designed with Queen's University to equip brokers with the broad business skills necessary for senior management and running a successful business. The week-long session at Queen's is followed by an RSA Education Day that builds on learnings from the session.

The fourth annual Marsha Morton Memorial Cystic Fibrosis Golf Tournament was held at the Hammond Golf & Country Club on September 23rd. 

Rhodes & Williams Insurance Brokers have chosen Cystic Fibrosis as one of it's two charities, so it was a pleasure for us to help out by sponsoring a hole-in-one contest, entering two foursomes, allowing staff time off to volunteer at the event, and recruiting sponsors (including the two platinum sponsors) and donations, contributing over $9000 to the total amount raised - $17,400.

The title sponsor of the event was the Kin Club of Orleans & District.  This year's event saw Honorary Kin Kevin Blades, a CF adult, speak to the audience about his affliction with CF and how it impacted his life.

Tournament Chair Cindy Robertson was overcome with the final results. "I can't thank you enough; the golfers for the continued support you show to help this cause; our very generous sponsors; and, all of the volunteers who help make this happen". This year's event brought in a record number of sponsors and donors, including platinum sponsorships from Gore Mutual Insurance Company and Intact Insurance.

The tournament is named in honour of Marsha Morton, a Canadian Cystic Fibrosis poster child and daughter of Ken & Karen Morton, members of the Kin Club of Orleans & District. Marsha succumbed to CF at the age of 12 in 1988.

For more pictures of Rhodes & Williams Insurance Brokers at the event, please visit our facebook page.  For more information, please contact Cory Young at 613-226-6590 or by email at coryy@rhodeswilliams.com .

Rhodes & Williams (RW) is pleased to announce a continuing partnership with Renegade Bass and its members.  RW has newly launched an exclusive program offering discounted home and auto insurance rates to the Renegade Bass membership.  RW has been the commercial insurance broker for Renegade Bass since 1999 and this new program will now provide the individual members an opportunity to reap the benefits of this business relationship.  Renegade Bass is a non-profit tournament association operated "By the Members, For the Members" and the membership includes 950 tournament anglers committed to the support and continued viability of live release tournament fishing.   RW is a prolific insurance brokerage in our community.  Established in 1935, RW has become one of the largest independent brokers in Eastern Ontario.  RW has been administering home and auto group programs for many years and are extremely excited to be able to reward the individual Renegade Bass members with this discounting opportunity through this unique program, underwritten by Novex Group Insurance. 

RW would like to thank Renegade Bass and we look forward to continuing a solid relationship at the corporate level and now at the individual members level. 

Renegade Bass members that are interested in discussing how they can save on their car, home, or any of their insurance needs, can contact RW at (613) 226-6590 or toll free at (888) 391-8379.  RW is located at 1050 Morrison Dr., Ottawa, ON and their website is - www.rhodeswilliams.com.

Request a Quote here.  Once you have chosen the product you are interested in, make sure you put "Renegade Bass" in the comments section to make sure we provide you with your membership's discounted rates.

Listen to an interview with Chris Armstrong on the Renegade Bass Fishing Show.

Gore Mutual Insurance Company Foundation, in cooperation with Rhodes & Williams Limited, is proud to make a donation in the amount of $3,500 to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Funds will go towards Cystic Fibrosis research.

"We are pleased to work with our broker partner, Rhodes & Williams Limited, to support this worthwhile organization in their community," says Christine Casey, Broker Relations Manager for Gore Mutual Insurance Company.

Gore Mutual Insurance Company Foundation is proud to support Canadian communities. The Foundation aids social, educational, and health services along with cultural and environmental activities that are in the best interest of the community.

This year, Gore Mutual and the Gore Mutual Foundation will support over 100 charitable organizations.

Gore Mutual is Canada's oldest property and casualty insurance company and has been proudly serving Canadians since 1839.

Rhodes & Williams Insurance Brokers has chosen to focus it's efforts on two charities, Cystic Fibrosis and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).  We have helped raise funds in co-operation with Kinsmen Club for many years, and hope to continue to be able to do so.

For more information please contact:
Gore Mutual:

Melissa Willis
Events and Public Relations Specialist
Gore Mutual Insurance Company
Phone: 1-800-265-8600 [ext. 364]

For more information about Rhodes & Williams Limited, please visit www.rhodeswilliams.com .

For more information about the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, please visit
www.cysticfibrosis.ca .

"Our first rule," says Kristy McDougall, HR Manager at Rhodes & Williams Insurance, "Is Families First. I should explain that though. We have our own 'home family' - which always comes first - and then we have the Rhodes Family." The Rhodes & Williams team is so close that this great philosophy appears to have come about quite naturally. Special events at Rhodes include the home families, issues at home are taken seriously, and no one questions if someone has to take time off to deal with matters at home. Nothing illustrates this more than the day we had a huge snow storm. The President, the VP and the entire sales team pushed cars out of snow banks in the parking lot to make sure that every staff member could get out and home safely. "That's the kind of team we have." says Mary Raymond, Office Manager. She and Ms. McDougall work hard to maintain an exact fit when they hire - choosing candidates with great ability, but only if they are going to mesh well with the rest of the team.

This kind of atmosphere gets talked about. Ottawa is too small a community to keep an industry secret like "Where's a great place to work?" "Rhodes & Williams competes locally, nationally and globally," explains Ms McDougall, "without rigid borders - there's more flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit than is typical in most insurance firms." This capability allows them to write more business, their ethical and upfront dealings with clients gives them a stainless reputation and their stellar customer service cements Rhodes & Williams as the broker of choice for customers.

In 2007, Rhodes & Williams entered the Employee Choice Awards. The main reason was not to win the award, but because the process of entering gave them the opportunity to survey employees anonymously, initiate a formal process to examine how they work with employees and to learn how they could improve. In 2008, as a result of new initiatives, Rhodes & Williams placed in the top 10. This commitment to employees is reinforced many ways including their focus on health (part of their "family first" philosophy), manager nominated employee awards (condo time-share), and the attitude that starts with Rhodes & Williams President, Trent Young, who says, "We have the best group of employees in the city."

Click here for the full article

In the June 2009 issue of the Ontario Broker, Vice President of Rhodes & Williams Cory Young was interviewed for the work he's put into the insurance firms' online marketing efforts. Cory has created accounts for Rhodes & Williams on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to help him better reach his clients. He was instrumental in the launch of the company's website in 1996, and he was a driving force behind its recent upgrade in August 2009.

Social networking is thriving, and so it's important for businesses and insurance firms like Rhodes & Williams to embrace and leverage these networks and better connect with clients. Far more than simply a new channel for advertising, social networking allows businesses to listen to what their clients have to say.

One of the main benefits that Rhodes & Williams offers its clients is a back and forth, personal relationship, and that's a big part of what makes online social networking tools so important. Customers can come to Rhodes & Williams' Facebook page for insurance advice, to find out about the company's involvement in the community, or simply to contact the company.

Rhodes & Williams provides both commercial insurance and personal insurance. Our strength lies in the expertise and customer service provided by our insurance brokers. Contact us now for more information about how our insurance brokers can find you the best possible insurance coverage.

For more information about Rhodes & Williams' social networking activities, download the full article.

Further, we are thrilled to announce the addition of Allison Durham to our Rhodes family effective June 8th, 2009. Allison's tenure in the insurance industry spans eight years. She will work as a Commercial Lines Portfolio Manager at Rhodes & Williams Ltd.