ICBC

[my5cents]

I'm just amazed that in this day there are people who think there's a valid reason for public insurance .
With the handy dandy world wide web and the cellular telephone it's not hard to varify facts.lol

It's really hard to get the actual facts regarding government auto insurance vs private.

Before ICBC was created by the NDP back in the early 70's, many young people paid extremely high insurance rates and were treated pretty badly for the "offence" of being young.

Personally I remember having my car broken into, the no draft window being smashed. I had had no other claims. The private insurance company refused to renew by policy the next year. So when I went to the next private insurance company for coverage the first thing they ask, "have you ever been turned down for coverage".

The old system of having to obtain three body shop quotes and tendering them to the other guys insurance company. I recall dutifully going around getting the quotes, then submitting them. Returning to the insurance company and picking up the cheque. Seeing that the amount on the cheque was half the lowest quote. Approaching the adjuster "I think you made a mistake, this cheque is for only half the amount". Adjuster, "well that's what you are getting, if you don't like it sue us".

Perhaps private insurance companies don't treat young drivers like that now, but those were the types of reasons that opened the door for government insurance.

I don't see it that onerous that we have to buy the first $200,000 liability coverage from ICBC. After that any and all insurance coverage can be purchased privately.

I’m at a loss how the World Wide Web, or cell phones impact on government vs private insurance.

If you are talking about the ease at which consumers can get quotes on insurance rates, I’ve found that far too many people have no idea what insurance they have purchased, they only know how much it cost. That is especially prevalent when the consuming public and even the media try to compare insurance products from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

[jimmy4321]

My reference to cell phones and internet was a touch of sarcasm.It is a fact that private insurance is cheaper for low risk drivers.True when I had private insurance as a kid I paid high rates but I was a higher risk.Now I paid over 40% less than ICBC because of age and driving history.Isn't that how a business should be run?
Private insurance is just as simplistic as ICBC as far as knowing what you have as far as coverage etc.
I think a lot of people just bought into gov propaganda - facts sometimes are not enough.

[xjeepguy]

I work out in AB and while killing a few hours waiting for my truck to be ready , I walked into AMA out there and asked about comparable coverage , it was $ 298.00 a year cheaper there , then here at ICBC .

No points
No accidents
No suspensions

[jimmy4321]

$735 Wawanesa Insurance last year Halifax NS
$1300 ICBC This year incl 43% discount

Same coverage, truck another year older.

Not surprised NDP started this joke

[GordonH]

$735 Wawanesa Insurance last year Halifax NS
$1300 ICBC This year incl 43% discount

Same coverage, truck another year older.

Not surprised NDP started this joke

So jimmy4321 since it was introduced by NDP during 3 year period in early 70's, both Social Credit & Liberals have had over 28 years to remove it. So what is their problem.... that right they don't have one it's a cash cow, until the masses ask for change nothing will happen.

[jimmy4321]

You are correct GordonH. Neither one of those parties are better than the other at turning down easy money, though the master minds of the NDP came up with it.
Still doesn't change the facts, still doesn't make it right.

[GordonH]

You are correct GordonH. Neither one of those parties are better than the other at turning down easy money, though the master minds of the NDP came up with it.
Still doesn't change the facts, still doesn't make it right.

Only way change will happen is if population/ICBC customers, tell Government they want it open to full competition between public & private.

[jimmy4321]

I think the majority of people in BC are conditioned to accept insurance as it is , it's been 40yrs.
Unlike HST.

[GordonH]

I think the majority of people in BC are conditioned to accept insurance as it is , it's been 40yrs.
Unlike HST.

So looks like public insurance will continue.

btw I expect to see the HST back, just not with any Federal money this time.

[jimmy4321]

Agree 100%

[james-d]

One more time for some of you bozos who DO NOT know the true commie when you are staring him in the face!! perhaps you are too young and dumb to know what it means. It means Govt, must own erverything!!!! they decide what is good for you, NOT you. They decide who and what and where you will buy your goods and services from, They were called the ccf years ago for a reason, because of their early affiliations with the communist party types. ICBC is just one example Want some more?\l isten to them scream when rail roads in BC were sold off. Listen to them scream when the govt owns less and less, And that is because they lose control of a cash cow, Now ICBC is a cash cow for whoever is in power, Its; just that smarter govts ,other then the commies use the money for different purposes. I think it should all be privitized, I for one would like to make my own decisions,as to what is best for me. Now do you understand??

[GordonH]

One more time for some of you bozos who DO NOT know the true commie when you are staring him in the face!! perhaps you are too young and dumb to know what it means. It means Govt, must own erverything!!!! they decide what is good for you, NOT you. They decide who and what and where you will buy your goods and services from, They were called the ccf years ago for a reason, because of their early affiliations with the communist party types. ICBC is just one example Want some more?\l isten to them scream when rail roads in BC were sold off. Listen to them scream when the govt owns less and less, And that is because they lose control of a cash cow, Now ICBC is a cash cow for whoever is in power, Its; just that smarter govts ,other then the commies use the money for different purposes. I think it should all be privitized, I for one would like to make my own decisions,as to what is best for me. Now do you understand??

Owning things = commie
So WAC Bennett would be a commie in your eye's, since BC Hydro, BC Ferries, BC Rail & Bank of British Columbia. Were all Crown corporation that his Government established.

Added: I'm a supporter of free enterprise/free market and less Government.

As I mentioned earlier:

Only way change will happen is if population/ICBC customers, tell Government they want it open to full competition between public & private.

[John500]

Although I hope eventually it will happen that ICBC has to compete, I am afraid it never will Too great a cash cow for governments to "balance the books" It has nothing to do with insurance anymore for any government. If its such a good idea to have a monopolistic arm lenght government insurance company, why then so many socialist countries like Sweden, Normay, The Neterlands etc dont want to even think about it? They let the market place decide and bad drivers will pay more. Whats wrong with that? Let ICBC compete for all levels of insurance!!

[hobbyguy]

There may be occasional significant differences between Alberta rates, and especially for some primary driving areas. However the fact remains that ICBC is very competitive given the higher risks on BC roads.

http://autos.ca.msn.com/editors-picks/canadas-highest-auto-insurance-rates

10% premium for the more difficult road conditions doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

What does baffle me is Ontario's higher rates - and they are private.

If it ain't broke don't fix it - going private would most likely bring us Ontario's rates or higher - not Alberta's. Of course if you really want to cheap out one could move to Spud island, maybe next door to Duffy would be cheap now...

[dudlee]

Independent studies by Statistics Canada and the Consumers Association of Canada have shown public auto insurance gives the best value to customers. Since ICBC was established on March 1, 1974, British Columbians have enjoyed reduced insurance fraud, safer roads and lower rates


http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/opin ... 43366.html

Total BS , the only people hat protect ICBC are it's employees and the people that profit from it. The government controls the stats of the corporation that it owns , that it demands that you use . That is a monopoly at best and communism at worst . That's as smart as exporting our heap natural gas , jut to jak the price up o ollect more tax income . Why not refit every vehicle in BC to run on Naturl gas , thus creating jobs and leaning the environment.

Oh , that's right , the people and the environment always come last with Christys playhouse , salary raises for her loyalists always come first