Insurers may say they want to charge a fee and ask you to agree. You can agree with option to dispute. (If you want) See below on ways to challenge
- If an organization intends to charge a fee for an access request, it is obliged to inform the requester of the fee estimate and to give the requester an opportunity to respond.
- PIPEDA Case Summary #2006-341 Fees and the role of a medical practitioner considered in denial of access complaint
- PIPEDA Case Summary #2004-283 A bank charged fees to process requests for personal information
- PIPEDA Case Summary #2003-247 Bank alleged to have denied customer access to her personal information
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Fees are not to be used by organizations to discourage requests; an organization should consider charging fees for processing a request only when the request is exceptional, and then only at minimal cost.
- PIPEDA Case Summary #2006-341 Fees and the role of a medical practitioner considered in denial of access complaint
- PIPEDA Case Summary #2004-283 A bank charged fees to process requests for personal information
- PIPEDA Early Resolved Case Summary #2016-01 Access to personal information request revised to accommodate both requestor and organization
- Even if the organization informs the complainant of the approximate cost of responding to an access request, the amount must be considered minimal. Although PIPEDA does not define “minimal” the implication is that the fee should be a token one.
- While photocopy fees may be acceptable, a flat fee cannot be charged if it may have the effect of dissuading individuals from requesting access.
- There could be less costly options in providing access than providing copies. While reasonable photocopy fees may be acceptable, a storage fee is unreasonable.