Appeal dismissed; 'signed application' for accident benefits includes applications signed by non-claimants.
Allstate appealed an insurance arbitrator's decision holding it responsible for paying statutory accident benefits to a claimant.
The arbitrator found that Allstate failed to notify Wawanesa of a priority dispute within 90 days of receiving a completed application, and failed to satisfy the test for late notice.
Allstate argued the 90-day period had not commenced because the application was signed by the claimant's aunt, not the claimant.
The Superior Court of Justice dismissed the appeal, holding that the arbitrator correctly interpreted 'signed application' to include signatures by non-claimants, and reasonably concluded that Allstate had sufficient information to commence its priority investigation but failed to act diligently.
SCJSuperior Court of JusticeOct 26, 2020