The Ontario NDP came out swinging Sunday against an Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) ad attacking the party for its stance on auto insurance.

Last Monday, Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said insurance companies in the province should be forced to cut premiums by 15%.

The IBC dismissed Horwath's suggestion as a Band-Aid solution.

"If the NDP was interested in saving consumers money they would be supporting government reforms and the Anti-Fraud Task Force's recommendations, not throwing around arbitrary numbers," Ralph Palumbo, the vice-president of IBC's Ontario chapter, said on the organization's site.

In an open letter to Palumbo Sunday, the NDP stated, "Changes to auto insurance since 2010 have reduced benefits for drivers and increased profits to the industry. Yet premiums have increased. That's not acceptable.

"We know the industry has expertise to offer in finding solutions to these complex issues. We also understand that you have a job to do. You represent the interests of the insurance industry. We have a different role: to be a voice for Ontario drivers paying the highest premiums in Canada."