Friday, May 3, 1991 - North Shore News - 25

Cyclist coverage raises important issues

Ken

Hardie
INSURANCE
CORPORATION

OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
AUTOTOPIC

IN AN April 19 letter to the
North Shore News (Cyclists
should have insurance), D. Dun-
can expressed a concern that
moterists are ‘‘charged’’ in
crashes with bicycles, even when
the cyclist caused the accident.
This situation involves a number
of important issues for cyclists
and motorists alike.

First, cyclists who cause acci-

dents in which they are injured
cannot make a claim against the
motorist's third party liability
coverage. The motorist is not
‘“charged”’ for the accident.

Cyclists with a valid B.C.
driver's license or who are
members of a household in which
someone insures a vehicle qualify
for no-fault accident benefits from
ICBC. Otherwise they have to rely
on their own medical plan.

Owners of vehicles damaged by
a cyclist may elect tc make a
claim to ICBC if they have colli-
sion coverage, or they may suc the
cyclist directly. The only option
for motorists who don’: have col-
lision coverage is to sue the
cyclist.

When ICBC handles the claim,
the motorist pays the collision
deductible and we cover the rest
of the repair costs. We then take
action to recover both the repair
costs and the motorist's deductible

ROADBLOCKS

THE FOLLOWING are the
scheduled road closures and
deiours for the coming week in
North Vancouver District, City,
West Vancouver District and
along area higaways.

* North Vancouver Distcict:
Dellarten’ Highway Reconstruc-
tion Project: Up to 20 minute
delays from time to time. Use
Mount Seymour Parkway as an
aliernate route.

Panorama Drive and Banbury
Road te Panorama Drive: Road
reconstruction.

Gallant Avenue to Naughton
Avenue: Street closed except to
local traffic.

© North Vancouver City:
Cotton Road Bridge:
closures of the Cotton

Bridge will be necessary to
facilitate concrete deck repairs. At
least one of the five lanes of traf-
fic will be closed for the entire
construction period. Four lanes of
traffic will be open from 7 to 9
a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. Mon-
day to Friday. A minimum of two
lanes will be open at all times.
Expect minor delays.

© West Vancouver District: No
scheduled road closures or
detours.

¢ Ministry of Highways:

Squamish Highway: Expect 20
minute delays 21 kilometres north
of Horseshoe Bay between 9:30
a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays to
Thursdays and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30
p.m. on Fridays until further
notice.

from the cyclist.

Now that claims valued up to
$10,000 can be heard in B.C.'s
small claims courts, motorists who
seek to recover damages from a
negligent cyclist directly nave a
simple, inexpensive process at
their disposal.

As Duncan pointed out, bike
riders are not required to carry li-
ability insurance. This could be a
serious situation for those who
cause accidents because, without
coverage, they would be ‘‘on the

{AN WILSON
FULLERTON ESSO
1801 CAPILANO RD.

NM. 964-9194

ONE DAY ONLY
SATURDAY
MAY 4
10:00-4:00 PH

JOHN SALTER

hook" persunally for any damage
or injury costs. Fortunately,
coverage is available.

The staff at Sussex insurance
Services on 3rd Street tefl us that
general insurance companies offer
home owner or tenant policies
that include comprehensive per-
sonal liability coverage. This
coverage could pay up to $500,000
if a cyclist caused damages to a
vehicle and/or injuries to a
motorist. And the limit can be
boosted to one million doliars for

EUGEN TOMIC IAN WILSON

MARY CORLET

JAMIE HEATH

PRIZES

a very small additional premium.

In addition, through ‘Bike
Plan,’? Dave Chodzko (at 682-
2922) has a package which pro-
vides ‘town damage’’ coverage for
cyclists in the event their bike is
damaged or stolen.

Just as cycle shops sell bright
clothing and helmets to protect
cyclists in traffic, insurance
brokers can provide the proper li-
ability coverage to protect them
financially in the event they are
responsible for an accident.

MARY CORLETT

MARINE OR. ESSO

2002 MARINE OR.
WY. 985-5657

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