Please review these frequently asked questions about our insurance program for PWU retirees. Contact us if you have a question that isn’t answered below.
As an existing property owner, do I need title insurance?
We recommend title insurance for everyone who owns residential property. Mortgage fraud is an increasing problem in Canada and the United States. Title insurance addresses some of the impact felt by residential property owners who find themselves victims of this kind of fraud.
Over the last five years, it has been common for real estate lawyers to include title insurance in every new home or condo purchase. However, if you bought your house, condo, cottage or farm more than five years ago, chances are you do not have title insurance.
Should I purchase title insurance for my existing property through the PWUPP for retirees?
Yes, if:
- You already own a house, condo or other residential property and don’t have title insurance on that property
- Your primary residence is protected by title insurance but any secondary residences you own are not protected (you can apply the coverage to a secondary residence, such as a cottage, rental property or farm)
Is the identity theft coverage offered by the PWUPP for retirees different from that offered by banks and credit card companies?
Yes. Banks and credit card companies do not hold you liable for purchases made fraudulently on your behalf using their credit card. However, identity theft affects more than just your limit or balance with any one financial institution or credit card.
If your identity is stolen by criminals, you could find yourself:
- The holder of a fraudulently taken mortgage or loan
- Having a seriously eroded credit rating
- Unable to get further credit putting your existing mortgage and finances in jeopardy
- Facing criminal prosecution for crimes committed while the thieves veiled themselves in your identity
Will the PWU have access to any information?
Any information obtained as part of the registration form is strictly owned, managed and controlled by the PWU and is collected, retained and used only for purposes of keeping track of and engaging in union business — including the representation of the PWU membership. Consistent with these purposes, this information:
- Will not be accessible by anyone else
- Will not be used by any other third parties for any purposes whatsoever.
- Along with the membership list, will not be used to solicit or sell anything whatsoever
What happens if I have a claim? Will anyone see any information about my claim?
Any information obtained as part of a claim or incident report is strictly private and confidential information between you and the insurance company.
In short, the PWU will not be notified or informed about any type of claim that occurs. The PWU will not have any kind of access to any kind of records or information about any specific claims. This information is strictly protected, and is private and confidential.
Insurance companies are subject to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. They cannot and will not use, share or distribute any of your information except strictly for the purposes of managing, adjusting and settling your claim.
The PWU has taken great care in choosing trusted, reputable insurers and developing contracts and agreements to safeguard the security of everyone insured under the PWUPP for retirees.
Who do I contact for help? How do I lodge a complaint?
Phone the PWUPP call centre, which is secure, private and confidential.
What happens when an active PWU member registered for the PWUPP retires?
If the member purchased title insurance through PWUPP prior to retiring, the coverage remains in place for as long as they retain a registered interest in the property to which the insurance applies.
With respect to identity theft coverage, the newly retired member remains covered under the PWUPP for incidents that occur and are reported during the policy period in effect at the time of their retirement. Each policy period extends from February 28 of any given year to February 28 of the following year. For example, if an active member retires in September 2009, they will be covered under the PWUPP identity theft policy for incidents occurring and reported during the period February 28, 2009, to February 28, 2010. At the end of that period, they would need to purchase identity theft coverage under the PWUPP for retirees to maintain their protection.