Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 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

    12-Year-Old Vancouver Girl Groped On The City's West Side

    12-Year-Old Vancouver Girl Groped On The City's West Side
    Vancouver police say they are looking for a male suspect after a 12-year-old girl was groped on the city's west side.

    12-Year-Old Vancouver Girl Groped On The City's West Side

    Spiny Dogfish Returned Home After Rehab

    Vancouver Aquarium officials say a rescued and rehabilitated shark has been released into Burrard Inlet following six months of rehabilitation.

    Spiny Dogfish Returned Home After Rehab

    Greyhound Bus To Dawson Creek Skids Off Highway 97, Slightly Injuring One Person

    Greyhound Bus To Dawson Creek Skids Off Highway 97, Slightly Injuring One Person
    A Greyhound bus travelling from Prince George to Dawson Creek has skidded off Highway 97, slightly injuring one passenger.

    Greyhound Bus To Dawson Creek Skids Off Highway 97, Slightly Injuring One Person

    Liberals Write Off $200 Million In Student Loans Feds Will Never Collect

    Liberals Write Off $200 Million In Student Loans Feds Will Never Collect
    OTTAWA — The federal government is writing off more than $200 million in outstanding student loan payments that officials will never be able to collect.

    Liberals Write Off $200 Million In Student Loans Feds Will Never Collect

    Global News Cuts Nearly 80 Jobs, Mostly In TV, As Part Of Move To Online Coverage

    Global News Cuts Nearly 80 Jobs, Mostly In TV, As Part Of Move To Online Coverage
    Corus Entertainment cut nearly 80 jobs, mostly in traditional TV production, at Global News newsrooms across Canada as part of a restructuring geared toward boosting online coverage.

    Global News Cuts Nearly 80 Jobs, Mostly In TV, As Part Of Move To Online Coverage

    Baby's Death Tied To 'Unsafe Sleep Situation' Prompts Call For Warning

    Baby's Death Tied To 'Unsafe Sleep Situation' Prompts Call For Warning
    FREDERICTON — The death of a three-month-old New Brunswick boy has prompted a call for a campaign warning the public about the dangers of unsafe sleeping arrangements for babies.

    Baby's Death Tied To 'Unsafe Sleep Situation' Prompts Call For Warning