Elliott Silverstein 
Director, Government Relations, Insurance | CAA Club Group
Thornhill, ON, CANADA
Elliott manages and executes key elements of CAA’s provincial advocacy role, and overseeing municipal advocacy efforts.
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Elliott Silverstein is Manager of Government Relations at CAA South Central Ontario. He is responsible for managing and executing key elements of CAA’s provincial advocacy efforts, along with overseeing municipal advocacy efforts. Elliott is actively representing Ontario’s 2.3 million CAA Members to municipal and provincial governments on issues concerning personal mobility, road safety, consumer protection, and motorist-related legislation.
Elliott brings a mix of communications, advocacy and strategy to CAA's advocacy initiatives. He has managed several provincial advocacy campaigns in Ontario with many resulting in legislative and regulatory changes that benefit Ontarians every day. These efforts include advocating for dedicated funding for infrastructure, regulation of the towing industry, changes to Ontario's distracted driving laws, amendments to the Highway Traffic Act, and the inclusion of the towing industry in Ontario’s Slow Down, Move Over legislation to help protect roadside assistance workers.
Industry Expertise (5)
Government Relations
Public Relations and Communications
Insurance
Automotive
Travel and Tourism
Areas of Expertise (9)
Government Relations & Public Affairs
Issues Management
Legislation
Policy Analysis
Strategic Advocacy
Stakeholder & Public Engagement
Ontario Politics
Insurance
Travel Industry
Education (2)
York University/Ryerson University: M.A., Communications and Culture 2002
Joint Graduate Programme in Communication and Culture Specialization in Politics and Policy
York University: B.A., Politics and Communications 2000
Media Appearances (46)
Tips to help travellers avoid air and road trip woes
The Globe and Mail online
2022-07-26
With the unpredictability of travel and emerging variants of COVID-19, more people are making insurance a priority, says Elliott Silverstein, Toronto-based director of government relations for CAA Insurance. “During the pandemic, we had people very hungry to travel” and they didn’t or couldn’t, “and now we’re seeing people travelling, but it’s a very different world,” says Mr. Silverstein. “Trip cancellation and medical and other insurance coverage is becoming more popular compared to pre-pandemic times.”
When Ontario got rid of licence plate stickers, it left a lot of questions. Here are some answers
Toronto Star online
2022-06-15
Elliott Silverstein, director of government relations at CAA Insurance Company, recommends that drivers “check to see if their licence plate is up to date before beginning on their out-of-province travels. Having proof of renewal could be a good reference tool if they are travelling outside of Ontario.”
How to speak to your clients about travel advisories
Canadian Underwriter online
2021-12-24
“This is a response to the growing challenges, not only in Canada but around the world,” said Elliott Silverstein, Director, Government Relations, CAA Insurance. “We saw some Canadians getting the comfort to want to travel again. And now we’re at a point of, again, having to exercise caution and experiencing various types of travel restrictions.” While the advisories instruct travelers to postpone or cancel their trips where possible, many may be hesitant to do so or may plan to travel regardless. Insurance companies should be prepared to address upcoming concerns with travel insurance policyholders. “What it comes down to right now is the need to make sure that consumers are aware of what’s in their policy,” said Silverstein. “It’s twofold — there is the responsibility that falls on the traveler. But I think it’s also companies in general [who should be able to] explain and provide answers and assurance of knowing what’s in a policy and what’s not in a policy because it does vary by company.”
Travel experts say snowbirds should be cautious with U.S. land border reopening
CTV News Barrie online
2021-10-13
While the announcement by the United States to open land borders is welcome news for most, travel expert Elliott Silverstein cautions that there are still many unanswered questions. "Even though they have moved to relax some of these rules, it doesn't change the fact you still need to be on top of things, and you need to be careful because the travel advisories have not been removed," CAA's Silverstein said. He added that all travellers should exercise due diligence before taking off across the border. "It really is understanding what the requirements are for testing in terms of both exiting Canada and re-entering Canada because a lot of these rules are changing, and a lot of these rules vary from place to place."
Talk to your clients about auto insurance myths so they don’t see red
Canadian Underwriter online
2021-09-24
“If people have the perception — and there’s a cursory knowledge that people have — it really underscores the importance of talking to an insurance professional,” said Elliott Silverstein, director of government relations with CAA Insurance.
Many Canadians still reluctant to travel: survey
CTV News Toronto online
2021-07-06
Companies like Orion Travel Insurance are providing coverage for COVID-19 as long as you have proof of full vaccination. “If you are double vaccinated, than you are eligible for coverage not just for COVID-19, but for any type of issue you may run into while traveling," said Elliott Silverstein, with Orion, a CAA company. If someone is not vaccinated, you may still be able to get travel insurance that does not include COVID-19 coverage, but a person runs the risk they could be refused entry to a country when they reach their destination. . Silverstein said, “It's really critical that people do their research to understand what the restrictions will be, because you don't want to end up somewhere and be turned away because you don't have what's required to enter the area."
Insurance apps that track your driving could now yield premium increases
Global News
2021-03-21
With CAA MyPace, which is available in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, drivers get a discount if they drive less than 9,000 kilometres per year. The average Canadian motorist, by CAA’s own estimates, drives over double that much, logging in 20,000 kilometres annually. MyPace users who happen to go over the 9,000-kilometre mark simply fail to earn a discount, says Elliott Silverstein, director of government relations at CAA. “We’re seeing a lot of our customers seeing upwards of 50 per cent savings compared to a traditional auto insurance policy,” Silverstein told Global News.
Car theft is on the rise in Toronto - here are the neighbourhoods where your car is most at risk and the models most likely to be stolen
Toronto Star print
2021-03-08
"Sometimes, auto theft is just a crime of opportunity and other times, it's strategic," said Elliott Silverstein, director of government relations and insurance with CAA South Central Ontario. "You can just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. "Call the police and your insurance company right away so you can get the assistance you need. Afterward, the important thing is to take the necessary precautions, and many of these are behavioural. Condition yourself to lock your car and make sure everything is stowed away, for instance. You want to reduce your vehicle's attractiveness to thieves." Silverstein also suggests asking your insurer if they provide electronic versions of the insurance certificate so there is no need to keep it in your car. The province made this legal in 2019. Unlike the paper copy, the CAA electronic certificate doesn't give the owner's home address, something that often concerns victims of car theft who store the paper version in the glove compartment of the car.
CAA Insurance reports significant take-up in pay-as-you-go auto insurance program
Insurance Business Magazine online
2021-02-19
In a previous statement, CAA Insurance director of government relations Elliott Silverstein said that thanks to MyPace, many policyholders managed to save considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic. “A lot of drivers have been able to reap the benefits of this during a pandemic period where they truly are only paying for what they drive, so if you’re only driving a few kilometres a week, compared to a few hundred kilometres a week, you’re not paying to the same degree,” said Silverstein.
CAA on whether COVID-19 auto insurance rebates really paid off
Insurance Business Magazine online
2020-12-16
CAA Insurance, for instance, stated that it would be providing a $50 relief benefit for its auto insurance customers in Ontario, with policies in effect as of October 28, 2020. “We’ve been trying to get a sense of where people’s financial situations are at. There’s a lot of financial hardships that households are facing and what we’ve been told through some of our own research is auto insurance is front of mind – it is really the number one area that they’re looking to find relief,” said Elliott Silverstein, director, government relations, CAA Insurance. “As we approach the holiday season, this was an opportunity for CAA to do an additional piece, on top of the great efforts that we’ve taken over the course of this year to lead the industry in helping drivers save on some of the auto insurance costs that they face over the course of a 12-month period.”
Should Canadian snowbirds head south this winter or stay put? Why one Ontario couple decided to skip the trip to Florida
Toronto Star print
2020-11-23
Meanwhile, as the debate about relocating this winter continues in homes across Ontario, Elliott Silverstein, director of government relations and insurance for CAA South Central Ontario, says the Canadian Automobile Association is advising against spending the winter in the U.S., even though flights are still operating. Although the land borders are closed to non-essential travel, some Canadian snowbirds are having their vehicles trucked across the border and flying over to collect them in order to drive south. The travel insurance industry is divided on covering COVID-19 outside Canada. CAA won't offer the coverage while there is a level three or four federal travel advisory in place, but other companies, such as Manulife, now have plans that include COVID-19 available. Silverstein says that, even if COVID-19 insurance is available, accessing care could be complicated. He is also in charge of CAA's travel insurance program, so knows ins and outs. "Our focus has been to adhere to Global Affairs Canada advisories and they're at level three now, a point where health-care coverage becomes complex," Silverstein said. "It's challenging to promote international travel when the government strongly advises against it. "Many people have the itch to travel but, if you get COVID-19, it may be difficult to get medical care, and repatriation when you're ill and need support could be difficult; there's no guarantee that there will be transportation or that your destination will have services available." Silverstein said it isn't a decision that CAA made lightly, but "the entire mandate of our organization is safety."
Planning a Canadian vacation? Some provinces may be off limits. Here's what you need to know
CBC online
2020-05-31
"Everybody is navigating this differently based on the situation they have locally, so we may see some provinces move at a different pace than others," said Elliott Silverstein with CAA Insurance. The CAA — the Canadian Automobile Association — provides both auto and travel services. And if the current restrictions and advisories remain, your safest bet this summer may be to stay close to home. "If these barriers — if they're not removed — it will effectively lead people … to travel within your own province," said Silverstein.
CU Total Loss Series: Bending Time
Canadian Underwriter online
2019-06-13
“Municipalities have varying types of regulations and bylaws around how much a tow can cost, and how the process works in terms of hooking up and where the vehicle goes. We say that, just like a driver’s licence, it should be regulated at a provincial level.”
Prevent potentially deadly wheel separations when driving
CTV Barrie tv
2019-06-12
"Making sure your tires are properly inflated, making sure your tires are properly fastened, is critical because it helps prevent these types of incidents from occurring".
Where are the bottlenecks?
Canadian Underwriter online
2019-05-13
“Right now, municipalities have varying regulations and bylaws around how much a tow can cost, how the process works in terms of hooking the vehicle up, and where the vehicle goes,” says Elliott Silverstein, manager of government relations at CAA South Central Ontario.
Analysis: Are tougher texting-and-driving penalties changing driver habits?
Mississauga News online
2019-04-30
“We see it on our roads every day, but now we’re seeing more and more people actually self-admitting and admitting that they’re driving distracted and they’re taking on behaviours that are risky for themselves and others on the road,” said Elliott Silverstein, manager of government relations at CAA.
Insurer reveals distracted driving punishment statistics
Canadian Underwriter online
2019-03-05
“We hope this is going to serve as a deterrent,” CAA SCO government relations manager Elliott Silverstein told Canadian Underwriter earlier, commenting on Ontario’s new distracted driving penalties. “It’s not going to change behaviour overnight but we have only seen the growth of the smart phone over the last five to 10 years.”
Are drivers in denial? Only 43 per cent of Ontarians admit to being distracted drivers
Canadian Insider online
2019-02-13
"Distracted driving continues to be a challenge on Ontario's roads, nearly a decade after the initial legislation banning handheld devices was introduced," says Elliott Silverstein, manager of government relations, CAA SCO.
Will Ontario’s updated distracted driving laws prompt drivers to finally put down their devices?
Stouffville Review online
2019-01-18
“CAA fully supports the increased fines and penalties that will be in place for distracted driving,” said Elliott Silverstein, CAA SCO government relations manager. “Hopefully these new rules will encourage motorists to remain focused on the road and keep devices far from reach when operating their vehicle.”
How this insurer detects distracted drivers
Canadian Underwriter online
2019-01-11
The licence suspensions for distracted drivers “adds an extra element that wasn’t there before,” CAA SCO government relations manager Elliott Silverstein told Canadian Underwriter earlier.
Making road safety education a priority in Durham Region
Oshawa This Week print
2018-11-23
“Now that Ontario has legalized cannabis, we must shift our conversation from the theoretical to reality such as keeping our roads safe.”
How often do people drive while high?
CBC Metro Morning radio
2018-10-05
A new study from CAA says 1.9 million cannabis users in Ontario have driven while high, and the majority think they drive as well or better when stoned.
Nearly half of cannabis users say they have driven while impaired
CP24 online
2018-10-04
“This study really told us that a considerable number of Ontarians who are cannabis users are getting behind the wheel. In the past three months, it is estimated that about 750,000 Ontarians were getting behind the wheel (after consuming cannabis),” Elliott Silverstein, CAA’s manager of government relations, told CP24 on Thursday morning.
Half of Ontario cannabis users have driven after using the drug, according to new poll
Toronto Star online
2018-10-04
“It tells us right away that road safety must be a priority and be a leading issue now that we’re getting towards the point of legalization,” said Elliott Silverstein, the CAA’s manager of government relations, who emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns to deter driving while high.
Nearly 2M drivers have driven high on pot in Ont.: CAA
CTV News online
2018-10-04
"Road safety needs to be prioritized as a leading issue as cannabis becomes legal in the coming weeks, but it's clear that the focus can't solely be on cannabis-impaired driving," Elliott Silverstein, manager of government relations for the CAA SCO, said in a news release.
Almost 2 million Ontario drivers have driven under the influence of cannabis: CAA
Global News online
2018-10-04
“We’re now learning through this study the volumes of people — those who are using alcohol to some degree and cannabis before getting behind the wheel. That’s a significant conversation that’s yet to be had, but one that is absolutely very real on our roads right now, said Elliott Silverstein, manager, government relations, CAA South Central Ontario (SCO).
Pay-as-you-go auto insurance coming to Ontario this summer
Insurance Business Magazine online
2018-06-29
“As we stand here today in Union Station, tens of thousands of commuters have chosen to take public transportation into the downtown core from their residences across the Great Toronto and Hamilton area, and beyond,” said Elliott Silverstein (second from right), manager of government relations for CAA South Central Ontario. “They are individuals who have chosen to reduce the amount of kilometres they put on their cars daily and now, there is an insurance program that is more aligned to their lifestyle and their choice.”
Winter tires cut auto insurance claims frequency: CAA
Canadian Underwriter online
2018-06-28
“As road safety advocates, CAA led the effort seven years ago to have an insurance discount for installing winter tires on your vehicle” in Ontario, said Elliott Silverstein, manager of government relations for CAA South Central Ontario, on Wednesday.
How much should an airline pay for bumping a passenger? Now you can have your say
Toronto Star print
2018-06-18
Elliott Silverstein, a CAA spokesperson, said it’s reasonable for airlines to offer vouchers or upgrades, as long as cash remains one of the options. The challenge with a voucher is that it may have a limited lifespan or be challenging to use.
CAA unveils 'pay as you go' insurance
CTV tv
2018-05-24
The Canadian Automobile Association is launching a new policy that allows you to pay for insurance based on mileage.
CAA unveils pay-as-you-go car insurance
CP24 online
2018-05-23
CAA is launching CAA MyPace.
CAA Recommends Extra Vigilance When Changing Winter Tires
Kingston Herald online
2018-04-27
“Wheel separation can not only cause traffic congestion from broken down vehicles, but also property damage, injuries and even fatalities,” said Elliott Silverstein, government relations manager, CAA SCO. “It is important to pay careful attention when changing your tires whether you or your local repair facility make the switch.”
Time to change your winter tires – but make sure it’s done properly: CAA
Durham Radio News online
2018-04-27
“Wheel separation can not only cause traffic congestion from broken down vehicles, but also property damage, injuries and even fatalities,” said Silverstein. “It is important to pay careful attention when changing your tires whether you or your local repair facility make the switch.”
Towing Industry and Consumer Rights
Car Help Canada: The Car Help Podcast radio
2018-04-18
This week we have Elliott Silverstein from the CAA joining us to talk about the tow truck industry in Ontario.
York Region Eyes Unprecedented Road Tax Over Five Years
York Region.com online
2017-11-23
York Region councillors are considering boosting the regional portion of the property tax bill by an extra one per cent every year for the next five years to bankroll roads projects. A dedicated road tax that would address “the pain and the pressure” of traffic congestion in a growing region appears to make sense, Elliott Silverstein, manager of government relations with the Canadian Automobile Association’s Thornhill office, said.
New red light cameras curbing fatal collisions, city says
Toronto Star print
2017-09-02
Red light camera use continue to grow in the City of Toronto, in an effort to eliminate traffic death and serious injuries. Comments in the article reflect a recent CAA survey of its members on the subject, and why some may oppose the use of this technology.
Toronto man out $800 after he says tow truck driver promised CAA would cover cost
CBC News online
2017-08-30
A Scarborough man says he is out $800 after trusting a tow truck driver who reassured him that his insurance would reimburse him for towing his pickup truck.
Hamilton's Burlington Street East is 'Ontario's worst road': CAA
CBC News online
2017-06-01
"The biggest challenge we've heard is the crumbling infrastructure — the potholes, the bumpy roads, the patches," said Silverstein. "At the end of the day, it's a safety issue. Whether you're a cyclist, pedestrian or motorist, if you experience some of these road conditions, you face making split-second decisions and having to navigate through those."
The Worst Roads in Ontario
Citytv - Breakfast Television tv
2017-04-10
Live interview with Melanie Ng on Breakfast Television promoting the CAA Worst Roads campaign that launched on April 10, 2017.
Consumer protection when using a tow truck
AM 640 Toronto - The Morning Show radio
2017-03-23
Interview on AM 640's The Morning Show discussing the rights of consumers when using towing services in Ontario.
Towing issues in the City of Ottawa
CFRA Ottawa - The Bill Carroll Show radio
2017-03-15
Appeared on CFRA's The Bill Carroll show to discuss recent issues around overcharging by tow truck operators for services in the Ottawa area.
Know your rights before your vehicle is towed
CBC News
2017-03-14
"A lot of consumers were being subjected to excessive costs and very little information, and no access to their vehicles," said Elliott Silverstein, CAA's manager of government and community relations. "And as of Jan. 1, the rules have changed that motorists are required to sign authorization before towing commences, and also receive an estimate for the costs that are going to be incurred, and the costs cannot be more than 10 per cent at the end of the day beyond what was initially quoted."...
Tow truck drivers must now disclose rates in advance, get permission to tow
CTV News Kitchener tv
2017-01-06
“There are a number of changes that have come forward to give consumers more power and greater say when they’re using a towing service,” Elliott Silverstein, the Canadian Automobile Association’s manager of government relations, said in an interview.
What to do when you see an accident
The Globe and Mail
2016-09-13
“If somebody is in distress, call 911,” said Elliott Silverstein, manager, government and community relations for CAA South Central Ontario. If you do pull over to help – or to call 911 – make sure your four-way flashers are on, Silverstein said...
Quebec’s Couillard calls on Ottawa to criminalize distracted driving
Global News
2016-09-07
“We want to make sure penalties that are out there can be enforced,” CAA spokesman Elliott Silverstein said in an interview with Global News. “Because if we create penalties that can’t be enforced, it’s harder to get the public to buy in.”...
Distracted driving fatalities doubling impaired driving deaths, OPP says
King Connection online
2016-09-02
“It goes without saying that we all lead hectic lives. We rush to get kids out the door in the morning, drop them off to school or daycare and try to get to work on time,” Silverstein said. “But we can’t let our busy lifestyle stand in the way of the safety of our children.”
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