The Minister of Finance appealed an arbitration award that found the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund, not Echelon General Insurance Company, liable for statutory accident benefits (SABs) to an injured pedestrian.
The arbitrator had concluded that the insured's email constituted a valid request to terminate his automobile insurance policy, thereby absolving Echelon of liability.
The Minister argued the arbitrator's decision was unreasonable, contending the email was not a clear request, the context of Echelon's prior ineffective cancellation was ignored, and the decision frustrated consumer protection policies.
The court dismissed the Minister's appeal, finding the arbitrator's interpretation of "request" under the Statutory Conditions was reasonable and consistent with case law, which imposes no formal requirements on an insured's termination request.