You can't run away from ICBC — May 16

A Maple Ridge driver commits two hit and run crashes in 10 minutes

Christopher Allen Cooke of Maple Ridge is facing the consequences of attempting to defraud ICBC.

Cooke appeared in provincial court April 26, 2006, and entered a guilty plea. He was charged with Hit and Run under the Motor Vehicle Act, and was fined $500 for leaving the scene of a crash, received three penalty points against his driver license and is prohibited from driving for two years. Cooke was further charged under the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act with two counts of providing false information to ICBC, and was ordered to repay $7,400 for costs associated with two hit and run claims. He was also fined an additional $3,000.

"ICBC has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to fraud," said Mark Withenshaw, ICBC vice president of loss management. "We will not sit back and simply pass the cost of fraud onto our customers."

The facts alleged against Cooke were as follows. On August 25, 2005 at approximately 7:05 a.m., Cooke was driving his 2005 Dodge pick-up truck along Lougheed Highway when he rear-ended a vehicle stopped at a red light, at the Bainbridge Road intersection in Burnaby. Witnesses reported Cooke was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the crash and immediately fled the scene, leaving the other driver injured and his vehicle damaged.

Cooke continued east on Lougheed Highway into Coquitlam and a mere 10 minutes later, sideswiped a vehicle as he attempted to change lanes. Again, Cooke fled the scene.

Several hours later, Cooke was stopped by the RCMP and was issued a ticket for the first hit and run. He was instructed to report the crash and upon doing so, provided false information to ICBC. He claimed he was travelling 10 km/h prior to the crash and had remained at the scene.

Cooke eventually reported the second hit and run to the ICBC claims centre in Maple Ridge. Again, Cooke provided a false statement. He claimed his vehicle had been hit while in a grocery store parking lot. The damage to the door of Cooke's vehicle told ICBC adjusters otherwise, and Cooke was found at-fault for both hit and run crashes.

"ICBC invests in fraud prevention because less fraud means low and stable rates for our customers. Insurance fraud is theft - theft by a dishonest minority from the honest majority of customers,' said Withenshaw.

Anyone with information on a suspicious, exaggerated or fraudulent claim is encouraged to phone 604-661-6844 or 1-800-661-6844.

Media Contact:
Doug Henderson
604-982-1332

Power Surge in Coquitlam/Port Moody Area – updated information regarding insurance deductibles — May 16

A number of BC Hydro customers have filed claims arising out of the power surge early Sunday, May 7, that resulted when a motor vehicle hit a power pole on Como Lake Avenue.

Due to the scope and complexity, it will take some time for ICBC to fully investigate this incident.

To assist customers, BC Hydro is prepared to advance the funds to reimburse the cost of the homeowner insurance deductibles of affected customers, until such time as ICBC completes its investigation of the claims that have resulted from this incident.

Customers who have filed a claim with ICBC will be receiving a letter from BC Hydro within the next few days outlining the process on how to receive reimbursement for the cost of homeowner insurance deductibles.

In order to be eligible for reimbursement, affected customers who have not yet filed a claim with ICBC should contact ICBC directly at 604-587-7185.

There is no need for customers who have already contacted ICBC to call back again.

ICBC is working together with BC Hydro and brokers to assist affected customers in the best way possible. Customers are advised to contact their insurance broker to help them understand the insurance coverage options available to them as everyone’s homeowner insurance coverage and situation are different.

Thank you,
Bill Goble
Chief Operating Officer

Questions and Answers

Q:	How are customers being reimbursed?
A:	Customers who have filed a claim with ICBC will be receiving a letter from BC Hydro within the next few days, outlining the process on how to receive reimbursement for their homeowner insurance deductible, or for customers without homeowner insurance, on how to receive funds to cover some of their damages. Affected customers who have not yet filed a claim with ICBC should contact ICBC directly at 604-587-7185. If customers have filed a claim with BC Hydro only, they still need to file a claim with ICBC. Customers should call ICBC directly at 604-587-7185.  There is no need for customers who have already contacted ICBC to call back again.
Q:	What about those people who don’t have homeowner’s or other insurance, how are they being compensated?
A:	BC Hydro is prepared to advance funds to customers without homeowner insurance. Their amount will be equivalent to that advanced to customers with homeowner insurance. To maintain consistency with the treatment of insured customers, the amount of funding available to uninsured customers is limited to a maximum of $1,000. Affected customers who do not have homeowner’s or other insurance, and have not yet filed a claim with ICBC should contact ICBC directly at 604-587-7185. There is no need for customers who have already contacted ICBC to call back again.
Q:	What do I do if I have already filed a claim with ICBC?
A:	Customers who have filed a claim with ICBC will be receiving a letter from BC Hydro within the next few days, outlining the process on how to receive reimbursement for their homeowner insurance deductible. There is no need for customers who have already contacted ICBC to call back again.
Q:	What if I have already filed a claim with BC Hydro?
A:	If customers have filed a claim with BC Hydro only, they still need to file a claim with ICBC. Customers should contact ICBC directly at 604-587-7185.
Q:	When will ICBC’s investigation be complete?
A:	This is a very complex and unique situation that is going to take some time to investigate. It will likely take months if not longer before the investigation is complete. In the meantime, ICBC is working with BC Hydro to help them advance the funds to reimburse the cost of homeowner insurance deductibles of affected customers. ICBC , BC Hydro and brokers continue to provide customers with information to help them determine how to deal with damages resulting from this incident.
Q:	Why should I contact my insurance broker?
A:	Everyone’s homeowner insurance coverage and situation are different. Your broker is knowledgeable about your insurance coverage and can assist you with the insurance claims process.
Q:	What do I do if I don’t have an insurance broker?
A:	Contact your homeowner insurer directly to get information on your homeowner insurance coverage. Customers who do not have homeowner’s insurance should contact ICBC directly at 604-587-7185.

Burnaby Mountain Secondary to stage Mock Crash — May 5

with support from Burnaby police, fire and ambulance

(Burnaby, British Columbia) - Car crashes are the number one killer of youth in BC, but many teenagers are still not aware of this sad reality. To help educate their peers, the leadership class and CounterAttack Club at Burnaby Mountain Secondary will stage a mock car crash on Friday, May 5 at 11:15 a.m. in front of their school. This event is part of ICBC's youth campaign and also coincides with BC Youth Week from May 1 to 7.

The mock crash will be caused by a young driver impaired by crystal methamphetamines and several students will act as injured or fatal victims. "The staged scenario is based on real-life car crashes that we see every day," says Pierre Lemaitre, Burnaby RCMP corporal and media relations officer. "We applaud the Burnaby Mountain student-organizers for wanting to stress the deadly consequences of speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

The Burnaby RCMP Traffic Section will be participating in the mock crash with various Burnaby Mountain students, the Burnaby Fire Department, Ambulance Paramedics of B.C., B.C. Coroner Service, and additional community partners. Burnaby School District No. 41 has also endorsed this educational event.

Following the mock crash, students will move inside the school to debrief and hear the tragic story of RoadSense speaker Cara Johnston. More than ten years ago, Cara's life changed forever when she witnessed her identical twin sister Mairin die in a speed-related crash on Boundary Road the day after their eighteenth birthday.

Since the crash, Cara has become an internationally-renowned motivational speaker. Throughout April and May, Cara will present at Greater Vancouver schools during the Autoplan broker Speaker Tour.

"Autoplan brokers want to help educate teens about the power of choice and we're excited to be able to bring Cara Johnston into our local schools," says Colin Hunt, Greater Vancouver Autoplan broker. "She reaches youth with her strong and positive message about the decisions that they are faced with every day."

Parents are encouraged to discuss Cara's presentation and the mock crash with their teens.

Mock Crash and RoadSense Speaker presentation

Where:	Burnaby Mountain Secondary, 8800 Eastlake Drive, Burnaby. Mock Crash outside in front of the main school entrance. RoadSense speaker presentation in the school gymnasium.
When:	Mock Crash 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Crash discussion and RoadSense speaker 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Why:	To show students the consequences of unsafe driving behaviours
Speakers:	Don Nordheimer, Burnaby Mountain principal Willaim Chute, Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. Cara Johnston, RoadSense speaker. Photo opportunities welcomed

For media inquiries, contact:

Kim Thé Marketing and Communications Loss Prevention and Road Safety Lower Mainland Region Tel: 604-296-1539 Cell: 604-833-3586 Email: kim.the@icbc.com

Gord Couling Regional Coordinator Burnaby Loss Prevention and Road Safety Lower Mainland Region Tel: 604-444-7842 Cell: 604.786.6458 Email: gord.couling@icbc.com

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