Drivers of dangerously congested areas, such as the Sea to Sky Highway, are most likely to face higher rates thanks to a new ICBC policy approved last week by the BC Utilities Commission.ICBC will adjust rates by as much as six per cent to reflect risk levels posed by certain classes of vehicles and different areas of B.C. The costs will be added to premiums as of May 1.
"If the crash rate and claims cost rate where you live has been going up faster than the rest of the province for the last number of years, then any rate increase you pay might be above average," ICBC media relations manager Doug McClelland said.ICBC has faced a barrage of criticism since its announcement.
Mayor Ian Sutherland, for one, said the policy change makes no sense."It's hard to comprehend the thinking behind this," said Sutherland. "We know that many of the accidents in our area involve drivers who do not live in this area.
"Why would you penalize the people who live here and know the road best, while those who are causing the accidents would not be affected in this way?"It would make more sense to penalize everyone in Vancouver with a Whistler ski pass. That would be stupid, and so is this."Another area expected to take a hit is the Fraser Valley, and Maple Ridge mayor Gordy Robson also expressed frustration at the decision.
Robson said his municipality is still awaiting an explanation from ICBC, but went on to say he thought the decision was unfair, in a CKNW report."You know, the fact that we don't have any transportation out here requires our people to drive more, so I guess mileage paid, miles for miles, we probably do have a few more accidents, but I don't think that's any reason to punish us for not having transit. "
NDP ICBC critic Harry Lali also blasted ICBC, calling the changes "repugnant money-gouging financial assault against B.C. parents and drivers" by the government."It is an unnecessary tax at a time of record surpluses for the province," Lali said in a release. "They are using ICBC as a cash cow which is what they have done for the last seven years."Car insurance will also cost an extra $25 if one or more less-experienced drivers from a household use a vehicle not insured on their own.
The extra premium is expected to affect between 10 and 20 per cent of Insurance Corp. of B.C. customers."It is all related to risk," said McClelland.
"We know that approximately 25 per cent of all crashes are caused by people who are not the principal operator."
