As drivers brace for what could be a doozy of a proposed rate hike from ICBC, the leader of the BC Liberals is again lobbying to overhaul the crown corporation.
Andrew Wilkinson says it is time to stop doubling down in a defence of the state run insurance monopoly when it is costing taxpayers a bundle.
“When my wife with a flawless motoring record gets a bill for $2800 to drive seven kilometres to work we have got a problem. It is time we stop being so defensive about ICBC and had a look whether it is the right way to go. Maybe it should be turned into co-op. Maybe it should be come a mutual insurer where the policy owners own the company and you could tell it what to do. Maybe we need wide open competition. Lets find out.”
Wilkinson says he is expecting today’s proposed rate hikes to make drivers angry.
“When you think about it there are three and a half million automobiles in British Columbia and about 4.9 million people. So the motoring public and the taxpayer are usually the same person. Basically what you are saying is oh we don’t want to hurt your feelings by having auto insurance rates reflect the actual cost of the business lets make the taxpayer pay it. At the end of the day that is the same person so it is just a different pocket that is being picked. Lets see if there is a better way to provide auto insurance.”
Wilkinson says it is time to look other models and best practices from other jurisdictions to find a better way to provide affordable auto insurance.