ICBC hotline seeing massive call increases
This winter has not been kind to British Columbia. The province has experienced rougher-than-normal conditions for what its population is used to and many residents have not taken it very well—especially in Vancouver. Beyond just prompting an overwhelmed collective provincial mood though, these harsh weather effects have given the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) the tangible consequence of a massively increased number of calls to its Dial-a-Claim hotline.
Serving as British Columbia's universal auto insurance provider, the ICBC is responsible for dealing with accidents that are caused as a result of inclement weather conditions. Last month it saw a 16 per cent increase in calls due to the heavy snowfall that occurred in the province, which included an 11 per cent increase across the lower mainland. On Friday, Jan. 6 alone, the ICBC hotline received 3,500 calls and would routinely see over 5,000 on some December days.
Even though BC's current conditions are still far from the harshest in Canadian municipalities, the spike in claims is seen as a reflection of the under-preparedness of both the public services and citizens. Things were considered to be so bad in the city of Vancouver that a group of residents has called for a formal inquiry for Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson and the local government's response to everything to be held.
As for the burden of responsibility for ordinary residents, the ICBC has emphasized that it is crucial for drivers to exercise caution on the roads, noting that speed limits are meant for ideal conditions. Since winter tires are not mandatory—though they are advisable—a heightened level of caution is even more necessary.