B.C.’s premier says security measures are in place to protect the public as they engage with the province no-fault insurance system,
David Abbey made the comments on Thursday in response to a question from Global News regarding the case of a Vancouver woman. It is alleged that ICBC is fighting it On medical expenses and income replacement for nine months.
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“We knew that when we shifted to a new model of a care based model where the focus was on rehabilitation and treatment and support to get people better as opposed to lawyers compensation and years long court processes If that was done, there would be challenges that would come up, so we have put in place multiple security levels,” Ebi said.
According to Eby, those safeguards are a robust ICBC ombudsman office to hear complaints and a civil redressal tribunal, where people can challenge ICBC decisions.
“That accountability is really important and of course we are going to have cases where people are challenging ICBC decisions and ICBC decisions will be overturned,” he said.
“In fact, this has already happened on several occasions in the Civil Resolution Tribunal.”
However, those safeguards have proved of little comfort to Tashia Wong, who alleges that ICBC denied claims for necessary medical, prescription and counseling treatment, and significantly undervalued the income replacement assistance she was entitled to.
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Wong is living with severe neck and back pain and a brain injury that has left him with short-term memory loss and light and sound sensitivity after another driver ran a stop sign and totaled his car in May.
She said she has been asked to resubmit the same paperwork over and over again, with ICBC fighting her over things like changing counselors or going to her preferred doctor.
“They haven’t provided any benefit, but they’ll also be like, ‘Oh, why is this doctor so far away?’ And I’m like, okay… but I have a history with this doctor. This is my GP,” she said.
“It’s a full-time job just working with them. And I need the money right now… I’ve been incredibly conscientious and careful about everything.
ICBC’s no-fault system, which the insurer calls “enhanced care,” takes effect in May 2021 and was led by Eby in his previous cabinet role. Under the program, people injured in collisions are eligible for up to $7.5 million in medical and rehabilitation benefits, along with 90 percent coverage of lost income, up to $105,500.
Under the change, accident victims lost the power to sue the at-fault driver for compensation.
ICBC declined an on-camera interview with Global News on Friday to discuss Wong’s case, but said in a Thursday statement that it had covered 100 appointments for treatment and income replacement since May. Had paid $4,190.
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The statement said ICBC remained committed to Wong’s file, but added that while Wong could only communicate by email, “obtaining all the details, updates and receipts required from the client has been challenging.”
But Wong has since provided meticulous documentation to the contrary: months of claims, receipts, doctor’s notes, carefully logged mileage and correspondence with the public insurer that appear to contradict what ICBC told Global News .
Meanwhile, Eby says the new model offers British Columbians the best value for money.
“We have to continue to refine, but the good news for British Columbians is that we have some of the best benefits in the country, some of the lowest rates,” the premier said.
“Our public auto insurer is breaking even and we were able to guarantee a freeze on car insurance rates for the next two years.”
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