om ONE OF the 1980s issues coming with us into the 1990s is that of auto insurance fraud. This fact was noted in a recent address by Kesley Merry, the manager of ICRC’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU). In his presentation Merry noted that, although AutoTopic Andy Neimers INSURANCE CORPORATION Of BRITISH COLUMBIA “‘misrating’’ your vehicle’s intended use was bad enough — you could have your claim denied — what he was really concerned about was ‘blatant’? mass fraud that was both a North American and international concern. “International estimates suggest that between 10 and 20 per cent of all claims dollars paid out by insurance companies go to pay fraud artists,” he noted. “In the United States it is estimated that insurance fraud now runs between $16 and $20 billion each year, and that doesn’t include health care fraud!’ “And fraud is a major concern to ICBC, although with our ‘universal’ provin- cial system, we know that we avoid many of the problems facing insurers in other jurisdictions. But, despite that, fraud does cost B.C.'s driving public tens of mil- lions of dollars each year.’” 30 Wi “6” j 1600 MARIN Ps 26 - Friday, February 9, 1990 - North Shore News FACTORY AUTHORIZED Gi 412,750* * Destination charge & PDI $598 “You don’t have to cross the bridge to get the best!” Guaranteed B.C.’s Lowest Prices *NET OF ALL PROGRAMS— PRICES INCLUDES FREIGHT & PD4 MOUNTVIEW DR., N.VAN. A The SIU head went on to note that he considered himself fortunate to be working for an organization that took its responsibility to attack fraud, very seriously. To facilitate that attack, ICBC expanded its SIU unit from nine investigators, to now 24 working out of of- fices in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna. “Last year,’ he con- tinued, ‘‘these investigators and the support staff who work with them, were responsible for saving the corporation over $5 million — that’s better than five times the annual salary of that staff.’’ “The fact is, ICBC’s SIU staff is now North America’s largest investigative organization devoted solely to automobile insurance fraud. After all, we are .Canada’s largest auto in- surer by quite a margin,’’ he added. In his presentation Merry noted auto theft rings and “chop shops,’’ but said the biggest concern was bodily injury fraud, especially ‘“‘gangs of well-organized criminals staging accidents, faking injuries, or causing real injuries and then claim- ing they were involved in an auto accident.’’ “The point to be made is — we believe that insurance fraud is a serious attack on a valuable provincial social] resource ... A universal auto insurance system that is the envy of many jurisdictions in North America.” ‘Last year we laid nearly 80 criminal charges against people who tried to get something for nothing out of Autoplan. Every time we are able to collect evidence for a criminal prosecution, we ~ Jo: JE ¥ 980-3431 case U TOM OT I Insurance fraud a growing concern secution and publicity are the best ways to ultimately deter this kind of activity..." Next week this column make sure the news media knows about it,’’ he con- tinued. because in our view, “We ‘name names’ pro- 1990 Olds Cuthiss Crena Sedan VY E— S AutoTopic, c/o the North Shore News, 11329 Lonsdale Ave... North Vancouver V7M 2H4, will start a two-part look at Public Enquiries... If you have any auto-related questions write to ICBC 1990 Olls Ninety-Enghe Regenes Brougham Sedan i The New Generation of éh OLDSMOBILE. Experience the superb luxury, ride and performance of these a New Generation" Oldsmobiles by test-driving one today at Dick Irwin Chevrolet Oldsmobile. © 3.3 litre V6/MPI © tilt steering ® power door locks * air conditioning © 4-spdi auto transmission ¢ am/fm cassette © power windows * pulse wipers ¢ dual remote mirrors ® power trunk * cruise control * rally wheels © 4 door six. 05.0925 Specially Priced $20, 764 EF] © 3.8 litre V6/SFi ® cruise control @ tit steering ® electronic air conditioning © wire wheel covers ¢ am/fm cassette * power trunk © 4-spd. auto. transmission ® power windows ® power locks * power driver's seat ¢ dual remote control mirrors stk..09-6658 Specially Priced $25,555 ® aluminum mag whels ® 4-spd. auto transmission © 3.1 litre VO/MFi ® rear deck carrier ® power antenna _ * remote keyless entry © power windows ® power door locks e tilt steering © © cruise contra! * air conditioning ® 4.wheel disc brakes no Spity nt $23,313 "REGENCY BROUGHAM * electric air conditioning ¢ Jeather interior: - ® steering wheel control : * am/fra cassette & equalizer © passenger power seat ¢ keyless remote entry © spot suspension * 4-spd. auto. transmission © 3.8 litre V6/MFi stk.045727 — Specially Priced $31 ,997 EXTENDED SERVICE HOURS: Mon Thurs 800 800 fu Sat R09 600 m SALES OFEN SUNDAY ‘DEALER #81,