Close X
Friday, November 29, 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

    46-Yr-Old Victoria Father Dies After Foam Pit Accident At Richmond Trampoline Park

    46-Yr-Old Victoria Father Dies After Foam Pit Accident At Richmond Trampoline Park
    Mounties say in a news release the 46-year-old man was visiting the facility on Jan. 20 with his two children when he was hurt.

    46-Yr-Old Victoria Father Dies After Foam Pit Accident At Richmond Trampoline Park

    Canadian Astronaut Tells High School Students Their Generation Could Visit Mars

    Canadian Astronaut Tells High School Students Their Generation Could Visit Mars
    Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques has told a group of high-school students their generation could be visiting Mars in the next 25 years.

    Canadian Astronaut Tells High School Students Their Generation Could Visit Mars

    Liberal Cabinet Minister Kent Hehr Facing Allegations Of Inappropriate Behaviour

    Liberal Cabinet Minister Kent Hehr Facing Allegations Of Inappropriate Behaviour
    OTTAWA — Liberal Kent Hehr's future as a member of Justin Trudeau's cabinet was uncertain Thursday amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

    Liberal Cabinet Minister Kent Hehr Facing Allegations Of Inappropriate Behaviour

    Bob And His Parrot Buddies Living At Vancouver Warehouse Need Forever Homes

    Bob And His Parrot Buddies Living At Vancouver Warehouse Need Forever Homes
    Jan and Bob had a "love connection" the first time they met, but most days she wishes he would fly the coop.

    Bob And His Parrot Buddies Living At Vancouver Warehouse Need Forever Homes

    NDP MP Nathan Cullen Apologizes For Comments On Abortion-rights Requirement In Jobs Program

    NDP MP Nathan Cullen Apologizes For Comments On Abortion-rights Requirement In Jobs Program
    OTTAWA — New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen has apologized for criticizing the Trudeau government's decision to force groups applying for summer-job grants to affirm their respect for a woman's right to have an abortion.

    NDP MP Nathan Cullen Apologizes For Comments On Abortion-rights Requirement In Jobs Program

    Three Vancouver Island High Schools Closed As RCMP Find Unspecified Safety Issue

    Three Vancouver Island High Schools Closed As RCMP Find Unspecified Safety Issue
    COMOX, B.C. — Half of the high schools in a Vancouver Island school district have been closed as an RCMP investigation is underway.

    Three Vancouver Island High Schools Closed As RCMP Find Unspecified Safety Issue