Back in 2005 I was involved in a very MINOR accident. It was mainly my fault and I was prepared to accept the fact, that I would be responsible for fixing the other driver’s vehicle and that would probably be it.
Now, three years later ICBC has settled an injury claim with the other driver for a mere $56,000.00. Car damages amounted to just under $2000.00 on a 2005 Mazda 3. I was driving my dad’s car at the time of the accident, so they have found that we were in breech of his insurance coverage and now ICBC is coming after me for the grand total of $58,000.00.
Not only did ICBC not want to investigate this accident and the so called “injury claims” of the other driver, they decided to settle out of court, and without ever really caring to hear my side of how the accident happened. I suppose that is because of the fact that they were going to pin the whole 58 grand on me.
Now…. I have been in talks with ICBC to arrange some sort of payment plan… as I can clearly not afford to pay them $58,000 all in one lump sum. As a matter of fact, it is going to take me a VERY LONG TIME to be able to pay off $58,000. I was sent an “Income and Assets” form through their “Claim Recovery Department” and was told to fill out all of my monthly income and expenses and send it back to them. Which I did and it clearly showed that I am not able to make huge payments on this amount. In fact, the amount I am able to pay is quite small without having to become homeless or have my children starve. They reviewed the information I sent them and have come to the conclusion that I can make small payments on the $58,000 balance I owe them…. BUT… they will not be able to allow me to insure any vehicle or renew my driver’s license once it has expired because the amount that I owe is so great and the payment that I am able to make is so small. So…. basically ICBC is now penalizing me because I can’t afford to pay an amount which pleases them on a trumped up, over-blown injury claim that THEY decided to award this other driver…. without the opinion of a judge or jury. Am I the only one that thinks that this is not fair? There are drivers that are convicted of vehicular manslaughter who receive driving bans of 2 years, 5 years. There are people who have been caught driving drunk (Gordon Campbell would be a PRIME example) still able to drive on a daily basis. And then there is ME. I make a total of $1600 a month. Out of which I have to pay rent, bills, help to cloth and feed two children and also take care of myself. Now, I am going to be penalized for the rest of my life because of the simple fact that I do not make enough money to afford to pay more of a monthly payment.
ICBC SUCKS!!!!!
Chillaxin 