The BC Government told us we will save on car insurance. It told us we now get ‘Enhanced Care.’
But day after day and crash after crash, British Columbians are facing the hard reality that this so-called “Enhanced Care” is actually ‘No-Fault,’ and delivers anything but. I am taking daily calls from BC crash victims after May 1, 2021. They are sadly learning that ICBC’s fancy rebrand is costing us big time. Much like the man whose story was told in the recent North Shore News article
Instead, the conversations with ICBC go something like this:
- Can I claim my full wage loss? Nope
- Can I get all my out-of-pocket expenses for my injuries covered? Nope
- Pain and suffering? Nope
- What about the full cost for the inability to take care of my own home (diminished housekeeping capacity)? Nope
- Settlement for Future Care costs? Nope
- But I can sue that at-fault driver? Almost never
- I can take ICBC to court? Nope. A tribunal created by the BC Government.
- I was a pedestrian and don’t even pay for ICBC insurance, so this does not apply to me? Nope, your rights are gone too.
- I was a cyclist? Too bad.
How is this fair? It’s not.
How is this ‘Enhanced Care?” It’s not.
The only people who have more care after a crash are the at-fault drivers. The no-fault scheme gives them greater benefits for wage loss and out-of-pocket expenses. This is paid for by taking all of the above rights away from crash victims.
Calls will keep coming in. The above conversation will be repeated. British Columbia crash victims will continue to have to swallow the real news, not the marketing soundbites. If you don’t like it, you should contact your MLA and let them know this stinks. It will not change your legal rights, but if politicians listen, perhaps they will restore peoples’ rights so you, your friends and family members will not face the same bad news if they are victimized in a future crash.
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