Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

David Eby Says ICBC Shift Involves Rewarding Good Driving, Penalizing Poor Driving

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Mar, 2018 12:54 PM
    VICTORIA — Major shifts in direction are being considered to ensure good drivers in British Columbia receive lower insurance rates, says the minister responsible for the province's public auto insurer.
     
     
    David Eby said the government introduced an online survey Monday that poses questions about the public mood to realign coverage at the Insurance Corp. of British Columbia in order to offer major incentives for low-risk drivers by changing discount and penalty provisions.
     
     
    The proposed changes are part of the government's plan to modernize the Crown corporation and restore its dismal finances, which Eby has described as a "dumpster fire." The provincial budget forecasts a $1.3-billion deficit at ICBC this year.
     
     
    Eby said the government wants to hear from people in B.C. about the government's plans for change. The public consultation ends April 5.
     
     
    Last month, he said the government will introduce legislation to change ICBC, including a $5,500 cap on claim payouts for minor pain and suffering.
     
     
    "The question is, who is a bad driver and how much more should they pay," Eby said. "Is it someone who has two speeding tickets? It is someone who has at-fault accidents? Is it someone who has a single infraction with excessive speed?"
     
     
    The survey asks for input on changing policies for at-fault crashes, discounts and penalties.
     
     
    Under the proposed changes, one at-fault accident would be allowed without penalty after 20 years of safe driving, instead of the current 13 years. After an at-fault accident, it would also take drivers 10 years to return to their pre-accident discount rate status instead of the current three years.
     
     
    The proposal includes increased driver penalties and risk points for excessive speeding offences.
     
     
    "Car insurance rates in our province aren't fair," Eby says in a video on the government website. "Low-risk drivers with perfect records are paying more than they should. High-risk drivers who are driving up costs for everyone aren't paying enough. We want to fix this problem."
     
     
    The government says the auto insurance rating system is 30 years old and has not been updated in 10 years.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Indian-Origin Child, 3, Died In UK, Parents Allege Medical Negligence

    Indian-Origin Child, 3, Died In UK, Parents Allege Medical Negligence
    The boy died at Leicester Royal Infirmary in the city of Leicester in November 2015 after being taken to the hospital for vomiting and diarrhoea.

    Indian-Origin Child, 3, Died In UK, Parents Allege Medical Negligence

    $153 Million In Federal Cash To Fund Child Care And Education Training In BC

    Universal child care will allow parents to return to work secure in the knowledge that their children are being cared for by qualified early childhood educators

    $153 Million In Federal Cash To Fund Child Care And Education Training In BC

    B.C. Budget's Housing, Child Care Measures Good For Business: Premier

    John Horgan told the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade today that the financial plan will help attract and retain workers.

    B.C. Budget's Housing, Child Care Measures Good For Business: Premier

    Two Women In Custody In Victoria After Separate Alleged Assaults On Police

    Victoria Police Department Says Two Of Its Officers Were Assaulted In Separate Incidents.

    Two Women In Custody In Victoria After Separate Alleged Assaults On Police

    Charter Plane With 10 People On Board Slides Off Runway In Abbotsford, B.C.

    Charter Plane With 10 People On Board Slides Off Runway In Abbotsford, B.C.
    Airport general manager Parm Sidhu said officials were trying to confirm what happened but no one was seriously hurt.

    Charter Plane With 10 People On Board Slides Off Runway In Abbotsford, B.C.

    SEE PICS: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh Marries Toronto-Based Designer Gurkiran Kaur Sidhu

    SEE PICS: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh Marries Toronto-Based Designer Gurkiran Kaur Sidhu
    NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is now a married man. Singh posted the picture of the wedding ceremony with his new-wife, Gurkiran Kaur, on social media.

    SEE PICS: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh Marries Toronto-Based Designer Gurkiran Kaur Sidhu