Goose's Complaint Resolution Policy for Quebec residents

Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of a complaint examination and dispute resolution policy is to set up a free and fair procedure for dealing with complaints. It is also intended to provide oversight for the receipt of complaints, delivery of the acknowledgement of receipt, creation of the complaint file, transfer of this file to the appropriate regulatory body and compilation of complaints for the purpose of preparing and filing reports twice a year to the AMF using the Complaint Reporting System (CRS).

Person in Charge

The person in charge of applying the policy, Goose’s Head of Operations, acts as the respondent with the AMF and the complainant.

This person trains the firm’s staff and provides them with the necessary information for compliance with the policy.

The person in charge is also responsible for:

• Delivering an acknowledgment of receipt and notice to the complainant;
• Transferring the file to the AMF, at the complainant’s request;
• Filing a report twice a year with the AMF using the Complaint Reporting System (CRS).

Complaint

For the purposes of the policy, a complaint is the expression of at least one of the following three elements:

• A grievance against the registrant (Goose);
• The identification of real or potential harm that a consumer has sustained or may sustain; or
• A request for remedial action.

Informal steps to correct a specific problem are not considered a complaint, provided the problem is resolved as part of Goose’s normal activities and the consumer has not filed a complaint.

Receipt of the Complaint

Consumers who wish to file a complaint must do so in writing at the following address:

• Goose Insurance Services Inc.
• 800 - 1281 W. Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V3E 3J7
• Toll-free: 888-374-6673
• support@gooseinsurance.com 

The person in charge must acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 2 business days of receiving it.

The acknowledgment of receipt must contain the following information:

• A description of the complaint, specifying the real or potential harm, the grievance against the registrant and the requested remedial action;
• The name and contact information of the person in charge of examining complaints;
• In the case of an incomplete complaint, a notice requesting more information to which the complainant must respond within a set deadline, failing which the complaint will be deemed to have been abandoned;
• The complaint examination policy;
• A notice stating that if not satisfied with the outcome or with the examination of the complaint, the complainant can request that the complaint file be transferred to the AMF. This notice must also mention that the AMF may offer dispute resolution services, if deemed appropriate;
• A reminder to the complainant that filing a complaint with the AMF does not interrupt the prescriptive period for civil remedies against the registrant.

Creation of the Complaint File

A separate file must be created for each complaint.

The file must contain the following:

• The written complaint and its three elements (the reproach against the registrant, the real or potential harm and the requested remedial action);
• The outcome of the complaint examination process (the analysis and the supporting documents);
• The final written response to the complainant with justifying reasons.

Complaint Examination

On receiving a complaint, the registrant must initiate its complaint examination process.

The complaint must be examined within a reasonable period of time, i.e. within 3 days of receiving all the information necessary for the examination.

After examining the complaint, the person in charge must send the complainant a final response with justifying reasons.

Transfer of the File to the AMF 

If not satisfied with the outcome or with the examination of the complaint, the complainant may ask Goose, at any time, to transfer the file to the AMF.

The transferred file must include all the information related to the complaint. Goose is responsible for complying with the rules governing the protection of personal information.

Two Complaint Reports Per Year 

Twice a year, the person in charge must use the CRS to file a report with the AMF detailing the number and type of complaints received. They must do so regardless of whether any complaints were received.

The reporting periods are as follows:

• no later than July 30, for data collected between January 1 and June 30;
• no later than January 30, for data collected between July 1 and December 31.

Effective Date 

This policy became effective June 1, 2020. 

For Questions concerning the Examination of Complaints, Contact the AMF Information Centre. 

Québec City: 418-525-0337

Montréal: 514-395-0337

Toll-free: 1-877-525-0337

Fax: 418-525-9512 or 514-873-3090

E-mail: information@lautorite.qc.ca

Residents of other Canadian provinces are encouraged to review this related article regarding service concerns & Goose's complaint resolution process