DarrenBarefoot.com

From what I can tell, you seem to get treated differently depending on which claims centre you go to. I’ve heard good results from people going to the one on Broadway in Kits. Conversely, don’t even bother with the ones in Surrey or Richmond.

That said, my (and others I know) experience with ICBC has been pretty miserable. They seem to rely on people giving up with them in frustration rather than settling claims amicably. Getting into even a minor accident is a fairly traumatic experience (or at the very least, unpleasant)…having to fight with your insurance company over every conceivable aspect of your claim is reprehensible. Far too often the attitude I’ve received has been one of treating the claimant as though they are all trying to bilk the system. ICBC is nearly universally detested and rightfully so.

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Personally, I have had decent dealings with ICBC. While, yes, there were times that I felt that I was getting screwed - I have come to realize that that is the job of an insurance corp.

Moving between BC, Washington, and now Florida I have seen auto insurance in very different lights. Seattle was the worse where I paid through the nose in premiums because I was “too young” and “too inexperienced” - for note they did not accept my BC driving history. Florida is more in par with BC. However, the biggest thing is the confusion. License & registration, uninsured motorists, etc are a big concern down here … in BC, ICBC made sure you were both licensed and registered which, to me, helps ensure that there are fewer uninsured motorists.

I like the single base-coverage and the 3rd party choices on the extended coverage model (as is currently available in BC). I think it helps protect the motorists more and gives everyone on the road a fair starting position.

ICBC is an insurance company. They are out to make money and thus don’t like paying huge settlements. They have to protect themselves from abuse and thus breed hate due to “red tape”. I think they should be held accountable as a company … though I do like them being tied to government so that they are held accountable to the people as well. (A dual role)

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I have not had a good experience with ICBC. Recently I was involved in an accident where I rear ended a lady. It was a very low impact accident, we were both fine and there was minimal damage to our cars(I did not make a claim). However, it was my fault… I was 100% responsible.

I decided to try and pay off the damage made to her car and asked ICBC to send me an invoice to review. When I received it it had the total amount and then a hand written statement for a ‘Vehicle Rental’ and an additional $45.14 charge… then another handwritten total. I had stayed in contact with the other driver and she had informed me that she didn’t use a rental car at all.

When I called the first time the ICBC employee told me the shop charged them so they will charge me… no explanation. I then called the head office, the woman I spoke to there told me that this was just an ‘industry standard’ and they automatically charge this even if a rental car is not used.

I wrote a letter to the ICBC Fairness Commission. I am not expecting them to do much… considering they run it. But I do feel this is unethical and refuse to be a ’sheep’ and follow the crowd of unhappy ICBC customers.

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I have had two accidents in the last three years: a very minor scrape in a parking lot, and I rear-ended a vehicle when my brake line burst (according to ICBC, a 100% my fault accident). I am now forced to pay a 250% premium which effectively means that I cannot afford anything but the very base level of insurance. According to the ICBC website, “If you cause crashes, then you pay a higher premium”.

Let me explain that I do not “cause crashes”. I am human, and I make mistakes no more or less than any other human. I owned the vehicle less than a week and had it mechanically inspected by a dealer garage before I bought it, and yet the brake line still burst.

I will now take me 12 years of paying grossly over-rated premiums before I am able to get insurance in BC for a fair premium (assuming that I don’t utilize the “services” of ICBC in the meantime).

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ICBC has become a criminal organization. Claims adjusters are told to settle claims in the best interest of the corporation. Accident claims are not settled fairly, they are settled in favour of the corporations bottom line. They have tended to go to a 50/50 settlement in most cases, where both drivers are found at fault and both have their rates increased.

The corporation is riddled with corruption, repaired vehicles sold without disclosure of their accident history and managers buying repaired vehicles dirt cheap on rigged auctions being the latest story to hit the news.

The corruption however, is far more widespread than that. Performance bonuses are paid to managers if the corporations bottom line increases, regardless of the reason, whether it be fewer claims because of a mild winter or cheating clients of their due.

The bottom line is simple greed. Cheat he clients and get a bonus cheque.

Sure I’ve had a few claims in the past that were settled reasonably. Got my windshield replaced for $200. My vehicle was vandalized and ICBC paid for the repairs. I also have a nearly 30 year clean driving record. These claims were simple and straight forward. Accident claims are something else. The person with the most damage will be found at fault and not covered, or the old 50/50.

When I moved to BC from Ontario my basic car insurance doubled. For a second vehicle here I pay full premiums. In Ontario the second vehicle was $300 a year. Of course this was through a large and well known private insurance company. I shopped around for the best rates and coverage.

Lets hope that the recent sudden resignation of the ICBC, CEO is a turning point. The beginning of criminal investigation into how this monster rips off each and every resident of this province, every day.

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I have had nothing but horrible expierences with ICBC. I had three little fender benders in parking lots in one year while I was backing up. Two of the times the other vehicles came out of nowhere and because my truck was lifted I could not see them. My insurance premiums went up to 250% surcharge and I was at 43% roadstar savings before the accidents. My insurance for my car is now $2000.00/month. Obviously I can not afford to pay this so I am forced to drive a vehicle that is not insured in my name. If I am put down as the principle operator then I still have to pay that ridiculous amount. So I am driving with someone elses insurance which is illegal according to ICBC.

I comute to Vancouver everyday on the #1 highway and with traffic the way it is and the roads not built for this much traffic how can you avoid the odd accident it is impossible. This Government in BC has got us all in a corner. They know the roads are conjested they do nothing about it or very little and blame us for the accidents on the roads that we are bad drivers and we have to pay yet none of the millions of dollars that ICBC has made in profits are going to build more bridges and better roads. There is no form of transit from the fraser valley into Vancouver. The average person cannot afford to live in Vancouver and now with gas prices we should all stay home and collect welfare maybe that would hit them where it hurts.

I think BC is in need of some drastic changes to its government and we as the people should be pushing this. It is too bad that people have road rage on one another and when involved in an accident the first thing that goes through your mind should not be my dahm insurance is going to sky rocket. Rather this anger should be taken out on this provinces government. I dont know about you but I have had enough.

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