32 - Friday, October 16, 1992 - North Shore News

“AUTOMOTIVE

Caller’s tip led to
fraud investigation
against NV cyclist

A NORTH Vancouver
cyclist has suffered more
than a few bumps and
bruises after falling off his
bike and then filing a
fraudulent hit-and-run
claim with ICBC.

In July of 1990, 27-year-old
Ryan Heiblcem told ICBC that he
had been struck by a car while
cycling near the north end of the
Burrard Bridge in Vancouver.

But a few weeks later an anon-
ymous caller told one of ICBC’s
special investigators that Heibloem
had accidentaily fallen off his bike
and then deliberately damaged it
to add credibility to his story.

Further investigation by ICBC
resulted in fraud charges, and
after numerous adjournments,
Heibloem pleaded guilty on July
20,1992, in North Vancouver
provincial courts.

He has now been given a condi-
tional discharge with one year’s

- probation and was ordered to per-
form 75 hours of community
work.

In addition, he has been
ordered to repay ICBC over $500
to cover what the corporation
originally paid out to him to cover
his medica! bills.

ICBC president Robyn Allan
says that to the end of September,
the Special Investigation Unit laid
60 fraud charges against 42 people
with 39 convictions.

Other investigations resulted in
48! claims being denied and ICBC

recovering money already paid out
on 145 more, with total savings of
$6.7 million this year.

Allan said, ‘‘The tip we received
on Heibloem’s claim, plus some
solid investigative work, brought
about a positive result. With the
number of people providing ICBC
with information on claims, more
than doubling since we introduced
Our new telephone service last
week, those trying to abuse the
system will now have even less
success."’

The ICBC tip-line was launched
on Sept. 30 of this year to aid the
corporation in uncovering
fraudulent claims.

‘*People can call in with any-
thing from specific information
about an accident they witnessed
to a claim they know has been fil-
ed with us with incorrect informa-
tion,” said [CBC spokeswoman
Kim King.

King added that though there is
no reward given to individuals
who assist in uncovering
fraudulent claims, everybody who
holds vehicle insurance with the
corporation benefits since the sav-
ings to ICBC in the form of lower
payouts to claimants results -in
lower premiums across the board.

Though no statistics are avail-
able on the number of calls pro-
cessed by the tip-line, King said
that the phone lines have been
busy up to this point.

The local number for the ICBC
tip-line is 661-6844, and the toll-
free number from anywhere in the
province is 1-800-661-6844.

Quest only choice
for bigger families

From page 34

smooth at cruising speeds. The
body feels solid and well built, the
Steering has a light, precise feel,
and ride and handling are above
average for a mini-van. A wide
stance, long wheelbase and low
height contribute to its car-like
handling. _

Unlike most mini-vans, the
Quest meets strict. passenger car
safety requirements for crash and
rollover protection. It’s equipped
with side door beams, reinforced
centre pillars, and extra rigid body
structures. All outboard seating
positions have lap and ‘shoulder
belts, all seats have headrests, and
the sliding side door has a child-
proof door-lock.

Unfortunately, a driver's side
airbag 1° not yet available.

By the way, the Quest will not
replace the smaller Axxess mini-
van.

However, the Axxess is no
longer available with seven seats
so if you’ve got a big family, the
Quest is your only choice.

The manufacturer's suggested
retail price of the base Quest XE
model is $22,290. GXE models
start at $26,590 and a fully loaded
Quest GXE is offered at $30,290.

All Quests come with Nissan’s
excellent three yvear/8&0,000
kilometre bumper-to-bumper
warranty, six year/100,000

kilometre major components war-
ranty, and roadside assistance and
travel planning service.

Price as tested $22,990

Base price $22,290

Type seven-passenger,
three-door mini-van

Layout transverse front
engine/front-wheel drive
Engine 3.0-litre V6, SOHC,
sequential multi-port fuel in-
jection

Horsepower 151 @ 4,800 rpm
Torque 174 Ibs-ft @ 4,400
tpm

Transmission four-speed
automatic

Curb weight 1,716 kg/3,783

Ibs

Tires P205/75 R-15

Wheelbase 2.850 mm/112.2
in.

Length 4.823 mm/189.9 in.
Width |,872 mm/73,7 in.
Height 1,717 mm/67.6 in.
Cargo volume max. 3,250
litres/114.8 cu. ft.

Fuel economy City 13.5 L/
100 km: Hwy 9.4L/100 km
Warranty Basic three year/
80.000 km. Powertrain six
years/100,000 km .

NEW '92 COMPACT
PICK-UP | 8 in stock

$8,698)

FROM

NET OF REBATES - 3 ro cnc0%e FROM ff NET OF REBATES

FEATURING
‘DEMO’ ’88 ROYALE LS

Full options, originally to $31,090

|

CHEV CAVALIER
Automatic, just 39,000 km
Was '7,495

"30 TRACKER
Hardtop.

"91 S-10 BLAZER

Sport model, full load 4X4
Was $22,488

The #1 rated 4x4, Loaded with standard
equipment and built to take on the world. Come in

and see see for yourself, aw it's #1.

53 The best looking sport

lity vehicle on the

morket. Act fast, only
@ few remoining.

GEO STORM

510,980:

"39 PARK AVENUE

Full luxury, leather, roof

"87. MERCURY TOPAZ

Fuil load, P-seat, automatic
Was $7,373

ing, rear step b
Y dual mirrors,
much more,