BC Conservative Party Leader John Rustad Plays Scrooge By Opposing The Rebates, NDP Says!

ICBC is sweetening the pot for BC drivers by providing a $110 rebate to eligible drivers through prudent financial management and better-than-expected investment income. Additionally, basic rates will be maintained until March 31, 2026, marking six years in a row with no increases. But one man who is against the rebate is the upstart BC Conservative party leader John Rustad, who minutes after the announcement by Premier Eby came out against the rebate and doubled down on his promise to roll back the Enhanced Care model that makes it possible to freeze rates.

By PD Raj – Senior Reporter DESIBUZZCanada

VICTORIA – ICBC is sweetening the pot for BC drivers by providing a $110 rebate to eligible drivers through prudent financial management and better-than-expected investment income.

Additionally, basic rates will be maintained until March 31, 2026, marking six years in a row with no increases.

“Six years of stable rates and the fourth rebate for drivers comes as a result of years of work turning ICBC around so that it actually works for people,” said Premier David Eby. “On average, drivers have saved $2,000 in rebates and lower rates since our reforms to ensure that when auto insurance is properly managed, people in B.C. benefit.”

Due to positive investment performance and responsible fiscal management, ICBC’s preliminary net income for the fiscal year 2023-24 is an estimated $1.5 billion. The total amount of the rebate is $400 million, equivalent to $110 per eligible insurance policy. As the law now requires, the balance will stay with ICBC, helping to stabilize rates for drivers over the long term. The final, audited net income figure, along with a full financial summary of the fiscal year, will be released this summer.

All personal and commercial ICBC customers who had an active eligible basic insurance policy in February 2024 will receive the rebate, totalling roughly 3.6 million policies.

But one man who is against the rebate is the upstart BC Conservative party leader John Rustad, who minutes after the announcement by Premier Eby came out against the rebate and doubled down on his promise to roll back the Enhanced Care model that makes it possible to freeze rates.

Rustad has opposed Enhanced Care since it was introduced – voting against it in 2020 – and is now promising to roll back the changes. By bringing back expensive legal fees, he’d drive up ICBC’s costs and force them to increase rates on drivers.

Rustad also suggested that the money should be used to reduce the deficit, raiding ICBC’s coffers while raising car insurance rates. David Eby made this illegal in 2020.

But NDP says Eby’s changes have brought ICBC back into the black, allowing ICBC to reduce rates by 20% in 2021 and then freeze them for six years. Under the old BC Liberal government and without the switch to Enhanced Care, rates were projected to climb year after year.

“ICBC is able to return $400 million to drivers because of prudent fiscal management that puts people first, and our commitment in law that ICBC’s surplus should go toward benefiting drivers instead of going to government coffers,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “This rebate, alongside the decision to not increase basic rates for six years in a row, underscores the benefit of a public auto insurer. When private insurance companies make a profit, it’s at the expense of, not for the benefit of drivers.”

An important barometer of ICBC’s financial strength is its ability to absorb adverse risks and to still fulfil its obligations to policyholders, referred to as the minimum capital test (MCT). In 2015, the indicator for ICBC’s basic capital fell below 85%, and by 2018, it had effectively reached 0%. Following the introduction of Enhanced Care, ICBC’s financial position has significantly improved, and today, the estimate for ICBC’s basic MCT is above 160% and projected to remain strong.

David Wong, ICBC’s new president and CEO, has significant experience in financial management and a commitment to customer-centric services. His leadership focus aligns with ICBC’s mission to prioritize affordability and enhance customer convenience.

“To receive your rebate as quickly as possible, we encourage customers to update their addresses and sign up for direct deposit on https://icbc.com/ or through an Autoplan broker,” Wong said. “Initial rebate payments will commence in late May, with ongoing processing until the end of July. Customers receiving rebates via cheque are advised to allow additional time for mail processing and delivery.”

How drivers receive the rebate depends on how they paid for their insurance. For people who paid by credit card, the rebate will be refunded to the credit card. People who paid by cash, cheque or debit can sign up for direct deposit or will receive a cheque from ICBC. For people who are on a payment plan, the rebate will be applied directly to an upcoming payment.

As a public insurer, ICBC remains dedicated to providing essential services to people in British Columbia. In addition to insurance coverage that provides vehicle repairs and recovery benefits for people involved in crashes, ICBC provides driver licensing and identification services, and invests in road-safety initiatives.

To learn more about ICBC, visit: https://icbc.com/2024rebate

Rustad comes out against David Eby’s ICBC rate freeze and rebates