The British Columbia government announced sweeping changes Thursday to the public auto insurance system by severely limiting injured people’s ability to sue after a crash.
The government says the changes, which move to a no-fault system, will lower ICBC premiums by about 20 per cent or an average of $400 per driver.
At the same time, maximum care and treatment benefits for anyone injured in a crash would increase from $300,000 to at least $7.5 million, and those benefits will be available to every B.C. driver without having to hire a lawyer, the government said.
The government said that people can still sue at-fault drivers if they are convicted of a criminal offence linked to the crash, such as drunk driving, and they could also sue a vehicle manufacturer if a defect contributed to the collision.
If a customer has a complaint about how ICBC handled their case, they can turn to the independent Civil Resolution Tribunal, the B.C. ombudsperson or the recently announced ICBC fairness officer.
The Trial Lawyers Association of B.C. said it was deeply disappointed by the announcement, describing it as an “alarming move” that puts injured and vulnerable B.C. residents at risk.
“Today, this government is doubling down on its failed policy to take away the legal rights of British Columbians while protecting ICBC management who have gotten us into this mess in the first place,” said association president John Rice.
