The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says British Columbians pay for motorhome insurance

VANCOUVER – The Canadian Taxpayers Federation calls for full competition in the auto insurance industry of British Columbia to address what they say are unfairly priced high.

To illustrate her point Kris Sims, BC She stated that she obtained quotes from a driver from Burnaby, BC from Insurance Corporation of British Columbia and from a company of Calgary private insurance for Clbad C campers built in 2000 and valued at $ 10,000.

The drivers also had clean driving records, she said, but the quote from the private insurance company in Calgary was $ 1,000 cheaper.

Burnaby pays $ 1,400 and our Calgary driver pays $ 400 because our driver in Calgary can shop and have a choice for auto insurance. In Burnaby, they have no choice, "said ICBC spokesperson Joanna Linsangan, who questioned the validity of the comparison, saying the price of $ 1,400 seems to be a price for someone who has chosen a more comprehensive insurance plan. . The quote from Alberta could be for the bare minimum, she added.

"We offer greater value to our clients than in Alberta. Although you can get cheaper insurance in Alberta, you get what you pay for. In British Columbia, our medical and rehabilitation coverage of $ 300,000 is significantly higher than that of injured Albertans, "said Linsangan

.

"With milder weather, more RV owners can use their vehicles more often here. There is also the difference with regard to customers – customers can choose to have more or less insurance coverage.

However, for the Sims, high insurance prices in British Columbia only add to the high costs of gas and housing, especially in Metro Vancouver

. a broken system, "she said, and competition is the answer. That's why the Federation of Taxpayers launched a campaign urging the province to turn the ICBC into a cooperative and open the industry to competition.

However, Linsangan stated that customers have a choice in BC – they can choose their level of coverage and choose to purchase optional insurance from another company.

"Whether you have a public insurance system or a co-op, the fact is that accidents are increasing in BC, and accident rates have a direct impact on what people are paying for their insurance. Last year, we reached a record 350,000 accidents and the total cost of claims was $ 4.8 billion, "she added.

Linsangan added that "ICBC was created because there were too many people without insurance. A model of public insurance that ensures that all drivers have the most basic level of insurance protects anyone who is in an accident.

Ainslie Cruickshank is a Vancouver journalist who covers the environment. Follow her on Twitter: @ainscruickshank