Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia does not have a single omnibus unfair claims settlement practices regulation. Operational rules come from the Insurance Act statutory conditions, the Automobile Accident Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulations, the Uninsured Automobile Coverage Regulations, and the Fire Safety Act. NSIRO (now part of FCNB) provides regulatory oversight.

Key Requirements

Acknowledgment

No universal statutory acknowledgment deadline across all lines. For auto accident benefits, claimants should submit the NS-1 Notice of Loss and Proof of Claim within 10 days (protocol injuries) or 30 days (other injuries).

Denial

For auto diagnostic-and-treatment protocol claims, the insurer must send a decision notice within 5 business days approving or refusing the claim. Refusal is limited to four specified grounds. If the insurer does not respond in time, the claim is deemed approved. No universal denial deadline for other lines.

Payment Timing

• Property: 60 days after proof of loss, or 15 days after appraisal award
• Auto Section B (non-loss-of-time): 30 days after proof of claim
• Auto Section B (loss-of-time): 30 days after proof, then every 30 days
• Auto DTP treatment claims: 30 days after receiving required invoices/receipts
• Life: 30 days after sufficient evidence

Mandated Forms

NS-1 (Notice of Loss and Proof of Claim) and NS-1A (disability benefits) are the standard auto accident-benefits forms. Email delivery of protocol notices is only permitted if both parties agree.

Research Notes

Nova Scotia's auto DTP deemed-approval mechanism is one of the strongest insurer SLA requirements in Canada. The Fire Safety Act imposes immediate reporting duties to police for fire adjusters who suspect incendiary or suspicious origins. Persons adjusting fire loss also have monthly reporting duties to the Fire Marshal. Third-party BI settlements implicating provincial health-care recovery require disbursement to the Province within 30 days.