Business owner slams ICBC’s no-fault system
Business owner slams ICBC’s no-fault system | Insurance Business Canada
Motor & Fleet
Business owner slams ICBC’s no-fault system
He says the Crown corporation is failing to provide adequate support
Motor & Fleet
By
Mika Pangilinan
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is facing criticism from a 74-year-old business owner who says its no-fault system is failing to provide customers with adequate support.
Yoshihiro Yanagitani was involved in a motorcycle crash in May 2022. It led to several injuries, including fractures in his shoulder, hip, knees, and ankle.
Following the accident, Yanagitani said he had been unable to go back to work and was forced to close down his auto repair shop.
“I can’t even grab a wrench, and I can’t do jobs,” he told Global News.
And although ICBC did eventually grant him a weekly compensation of $740, Yanagitani argued that the sum was not enough to help him address the challenges caused by his injuries.
“To keep my shop open, it costs about $25,000 a month,” he said.
Ryan Kusuhara, Yanagitani’s lawyer, said his client was not able receive income replacement benefit and permanent impairment benefit until he stepped in.
Kusuhara also indicated that they are contemplating taking the matter to the BC Supreme Court to challenge existing policies.
In response, ICBC spokesperson Brent Sherer told Global News that Yanagitani had received approximately £25,000 in income replacement benefits and would continue to receive this support for the duration of the time that he is unable to work.
Sherer also clarified that ICBC had paid out over $14,000 for Yanagitani’s medical and rehabilitation benefits.
“Under [the no-fault model] of insurance, everyone has access to a wide-range of care and recovery benefits,” he said.
“We were hit by an intoxicated person in a stolen vehicle with our kids in the car and you’re telling me we have no coverage, and we owe a thousand dollars,” said Angela Murray, whose husband was driving the family’s vehicle during the crash.
ICBC responded to the family’s concerns and clarified that they would have to pay a deductible to activate their collision coverage.
A similar deductible would need to be paid under the previous system, ICBC added.
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