WHEREAS municipal fire departments in communities that have a major highways passing through them respond to highway incidents; AND WHEREAS the cost of attending these highway incidents is borne solely by the taxpayers within the taxing jurisdiction: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to develop a program with ICBC, separate from and in addition to the Provincial Emergency Program PEP, to reimburse fire departments that respond to highway incidents.
Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure ICBC collects premiums for expected claims based on what ICBCs customers are legally required to pay should they be responsible for a crash. Any legislative change to make BC motorists responsible for fire department charges would expose ICBC to additional costs which would need to be recovered from BC drivers through insurance premiums and this would put upward pressure on insurance rates. On September 5th, 2013 BCUC approved the basic rate change on an interim basis effective November 1, 2013, and will make a final decision after a public hearing process that will continue into the New Year. Additional information can be found on the BCUC web site at: www.bcuc.com ICBC supports communities in other ways through payment of grants in lieu of taxes and through its loss prevention and road safety programs. These road safety programs include partnerships with municipalities for local road improvements that improve road safety.
ICBC As previously advised, ICBC collects premiums for expected claims based on what our customers are legally liable to pay, should they be responsible for a crash. ICBC is committed to keeping insurance rates as low as possible for our customers and it would be inappropriate for insurance premiums to pay for these costs where no legal obligation exists. If BC motorists were to become legally responsible for fire department charges involving motor vehicle accidents, claims costs could increase and as a result, the rate for Basic insurance purchased by all BC motorists may need to increase. Basic insurance rates are regulated by the British Columbia Utilities Commission BCUC and any change requires their approval. ICBC supports communities in other ways through payment of grants in lieu of taxes. ICBC also supports communities through its loss prevention and road safety programs, including partnerships involving local road improvements. In 2012, ICBC invested approximately 56 million in road safety.