ICBC welcomes two new members to the Board of Directors — January 31

Today, T. Richard Turner, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, is pleased to announce that Carol Brown and Jatinder Rai have been appointed as the newest members of ICBC's Board of Directors.

Ms. Brown joins the ICBC board close to 20 years experience as a lawyer, specializing in commercial law and taxation. Ms. Brown's board experience includes several well-known organizations in B.C. and Toronto, including the Canadian Bar Association's (B.C. Branch) Benevolent Society, the Prince George Airport Authority and the Toronto Red Cross Society. Ms. Brown is currently completing her doctoral studies in organizational development. She has a Master of Arts in leadership, a C.G.A. designation, a law degree and a Bachelor of Commerce.

Jatinder Rai has over 12 years experience in the marketing and advertising industry. He is the founder, president and CEO of Response Advertising Inc., which specializes in reaching multicultural markets in Canada and the United States. Mr. Rai has served as a volunteer with several non-profit organizations such as YM-YWCA (Victoria), Mosaic, United Way South Asian Advisory Board, the Canadian Diabetes Association and Surrey Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Turner would like to thank Susan Paish, Robert Quart and Alice Downing for their hard work and dedication to ICBC in their roles as board members. Ms. Paish, CEO of Pharmasave Drugs Ltd., has been on ICBC's Board of Directors since July 2001, and was the Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. Mr. Quart was the CEO of VanCity, until his retirement in 1999, and has been on ICBC's Board of Directors since July 2001. While on ICBC's board, he was Vice-Chair, Chair of the Audit Committee and Chair of the Governance Committee. Alice Downing is a Certified Human Resources Professional, and has also been on ICBC's Board of Directors since July 2001. Ms. Downing was a member of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. All three members are leaving as their terms of service are completed on January 31, 2008. Terms for the two new directors start January 31, 2008.

A stolen Dodge Viper leads to forgery and ICBC fraud charges for Vancouver man — January 30

ICBC has a zero tolerance for fraud

David Roland Messina, of Vancouver, is facing the consequences of attempting to defraud ICBC and trying to avoid paying taxes on a vehicle purchase. Messina recently attended Vancouver Provincial Court, where he pleaded guilty to uttering a forged document, an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. He was fined $5000. ICBC has also denied his stolen vehicle claim, and Messina can expect to pay the outstanding tax on his vehicle purchase.

In Judge Giardini's reasons for sentence, he reinforced that attempting to defraud ICBC is not a victimless crime but rather it costs all British Columbians. And that the integrity of BC's vehicle licensing and insurance system "depends on all of us doing our bit and being honest and doing what we are supposed to do."

On June 1, 2005, Messina reported his 1999 Dodge Viper was stolen while parked near the intersection Robson and Jervis Street, in Vancouver. Later that day, Messina contacted ICBC to initiate his claim.

According to Messina's statement, he purchased the Viper in June 2004 for $75,000. But while investigating the claim, ICBC uncovered that in 2004 Messina had provided ICBC with a gift letter and vehicle transfer forms indicating a purchase price of zero. By declaring the vehicle a gift, Messina did not pay PST for transferring the vehicle from the previous owner.

ICBC contacted the previous owner who stated Messina paid $68,000 for the vehicle. The prior owner also indicated he did not sign a gift letter, or vehicle transfer form with a zero purchase price.

When confronted by ICBC about the conflicting information, Messina denied forging the documents. After additional questioning, he also denied trying to sell the vehicle, although ICBC uncovered an ad placed to sell the Viper by Messina in the Buy and Sell from July until October 2004.

"ICBC needs its customers to provide complete and accurate information for us to be able to correctly assess the claim and provide fair compensation", said Steve Tripp, manager of ICBC's Special Investigation Unit. "Providing false information to ICBC in relation to a claim is considered fraudulent, and ICBC has zero tolerance for fraud."

Messina was charged in July 2006 for fraud and uttering a forged document, both offences under the Criminal Code of Canada. He pleaded guilty to the charge of uttering a forged document, while the fraud charge was stayed.

ICBC invests more in fraud prevention and investigation than most property and casualty insurance companies in Canada. By combating fraud, ICBC hopes to deter others and to recover fraudulent payments, which help to keep rates low and stable.

Customers are encouraged to do their part to help fight fraud by reporting suspicious, exaggerated or fraudulent claims. Information provided to ICBC's fraud tips line (604-661-6844 or 1-800-661-6844) is confidential and callers can remain anonymous.

Over 80,000 British Columbians are driving home the spirit of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games — January 22

Allen Reiffer of Kamloops won a 2008 Pontiac Vibe, as part of ICBC's Show Your Support to Win promotion

More than 80,000 British Columbians have purchased 2010 Olympic Winter Games licence plates, and one lucky Kamloops resident won a new vehicle for doing his part to drive home the spirit of the Games. Allen Reiffer of Kamloops won a 2008 Pontiac Vibe, as part of ICBC's Show Your Support to Win promotion.

Reiffer was awarded his new, blue, Pontiac Vibe at ICBC's Driver Service Centre in Kamloops on January 22. The grand-prize vehicle, valued at $22,900, was donated by the Pontiac Dealers of BC.

Reiffer, a 54 year-old, retail store manager, says he's received lots of compliments on his 2010 Olympic Winter Games plate, which he purchased in July 2007. He purchased the plate because he liked the look and slogan, and wanted to show his support for the Games. Reiffer has a history of Olympic luck; in 1988, he won a contest to attend the closing ceremony of the Calgary Olympic Winter Games.

"ICBC would like to thank all 80,000 British Columbians who have purchased their 2010 Olympic Winter Games licence plates. By purchasing a plate, you are directly helping support the 2010 Winter Games and Canada's athletes," said Jeff Schulz, ICBC vice-president of Strategic Marketing. "And if you haven't done so already, I would encourage every British Columbian to get a plate, and help make these the most successful Winter Games ever."

ICBC is well on its way to meeting its goal to sell 100,000 plates in the program's first year. Net proceeds from the plate program go towards supporting the Canadian Olympic team and to the successful staging of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and are part of ICBC's sponsorship, as an Official Supporter in the motor vehicle insurance category.

"ICBC's licence plate program is a huge success. Not only do the plates capture the spirit of the Games, they drive momentum across the province. And with just two years to go, this is the year to get your plate", said Caley Denton, VANOC vice president of Ticketing and Consumer Marketing.

2010 Olympic Winter Games licence plates went on sale in April of 2007 and can be purchased from Autoplan brokers for an initial fee of $35 (annual renewal fee of $25 until 2012). They are available for passenger vehicles, motor homes, commercial trucks, commercial trailers, farm trucks, motorcycles, and utility trailers.

2010 Olympic Winter Games licence plates are an official licence plate and will continue to be valid beyond the Games. Customers are encouraged to retain the plates but if they choose to cancel their plate after December 31, 2010, they will get to keep the front licence plate as a souvenir in recognition of their support.

Additional information about 2010 Olympic Winter Games licence plates is available at local Autoplan broker offices or at http://www.icbc.com/registration/reg_spec_lic_plates_opp.asp

For more information contact:
Kate Best 604-982-2480
Ryan Detwiller (Southern Interior media) 250-878-0050

BCUC releases final decision on ICBC's 2007 rate applications — January 14

The British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) has released its final decision on ICBC's applications filed in March 2007 concerning rates for basic insurance.

The Commission confirmed the 3.3 per cent increase in rates for basic insurance which was approved on an interim basis by BCUC and then implemented on May 1, 2007.

The interim increase in rates for basic insurance was implemented at the same time as an average 3.8 per cent decrease in rates for optional coverage for ICBC customers. The net effect of rate changes in 2007 was that premiums decreased or stayed roughly the same for more than half of the customers who chose ICBC for their basic and optional coverage.

The increase is needed primarily because the cost of claims from crashes has continued to increase, particularly for injury claims.

The BCUC has also approved other rate design initiatives and earlier approved the new Driver Risk Premium for higher-risk drivers.

The full decision is available on the BCUC website - www.bcuc.com.

For more information contact:
Doug McClelland 604-982-2476

Copyright © 2008 ICBC - Insurance Corporation of British Columbia