The Ombudservice for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI) released its annual report Sept. 13. For the fiscal year 2017/18, complaints increased 23.2 per cent over the previous year to reach a record high of 2,636 complaints.

Of the complaints received, 26 resulted in cases opened at the investigation level, reports OLHI.

Complaint volumes rose in Quebec, the Prairie provinces and B.C.

Disability, life and employee healthcare & dental together accounted for 85 per cent of all product complaints, reports OLHI.

"Our members are being more diligent of advising their consumers with complaints of our services," said Brigitte Kent, Acting Executive Director. "It is nice to see that most of our referrals are now coming from our members companies," she added.

At its Annual General Meeting held Sept. 13, OLHI introduced two new board members: Geoff Plant, a former British Columbia attorney general, and Louise Schiller, a former senior advisor, rights and responsibilities, at Concordia University.

Western expansion

With the opening of its new office in Edmonton, OLHI says it is now beginning the second phase of its western expansion. OLHI says the focus will be to raise awareness among consumers in Western Canada about its services. 

To learn more, consult the annual report on OLHI’s website.