42 — Friday, March 13, 1992 - North Shore News INSURANCE CORPORATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AUTO TOPIC LAST FALL ICBC ran newspaper ads drawing at- tention to the increasingly costly problem of crime- related auto insurance claims. Over 150,000 motorists suffered these losses last year and we all shared the costs. Claims for stolen vehicles AUTOMOTIVE Cost of crime claims jump dramatically jumped 42% in 1991 over 1990, and the cost of these claims ex- ceeded $42 million. Over $24 million worth of stereos, hood ornaments, seats, hub caps and other car parts disappeared last vear — a 38% increase. Until recently, ICBC didn't even need to keep statistics for vandalism. Over the past two years, wilful, senseless damage to vehicles has doubled in cost to over $21 million. Hit-and-run is a double-edged probiem that rolled up costs ex- ceeding $36 million in 1991. One issue is the fact that drivers fan away from over 35,000 dam- aged vehicles and another 1,900 BCAA warns consumers to inspect child car seats THE BRITISH Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) warns consumers to check for compliance labels before purchas- ing infant or child car seats in Canadian stores. All infant and child restraint systems sold in Canadian stores are required by law to have a compliance label on the seat stating they meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS). Seats sold in the U.S. do not bear this label and conse- quently are not legal for use in Canada. “BCAA always recommends purchasing seats in Canadian stores, but during the past few months, we have received some complaints from people who have purchased seats in Canadian stores, only to discover they are U.S. models and do not have compliance labels,’’ said Patti Bacchus, a BCAA senior public affairs officer. When alerted to this problem, retailers have been very coopera- tive in checking all of their stock to ensure no U.S. seats are being soid in Canadian outlets. Transport Canada has advised BCAA that some consumers may be purchasing seats 1 the U.S., discovering they are not legai for use in Canada, buying a Canadian model, then deliberately putting the U.S. model in the box and returning it to the Canadian F Wo offered you the best and you've responded The best selection The best quality The best backed warranties and definitely the best prices in town, now we're offering the best retailer, The seat may then be in- advertently placed back on the shelf and then sold to a customer, who assumes it is approved for use in Canada. Bacchus also advises consumers to check seats to ensure they in- clude all necessary parts, including tether straps for all convertible seats. For information on any infant or child restraint system, BCAA offers free advice. In Greater Vancouver call 298-2122 or out- side Greater Vancouver call 1- 800-663-4636. $ SUZUKI IN STOCK NOW * SIDEKICKS « BEST SEW 4x4 OF THE YEAR 5 Spd. Conv. $8588 . 5 Spd, 3 door ae SWIFT ‘GS’... 5 Spd. 4 door Swift TOURIKG SEDAN - 1. 6L- 16 valve. automatic - $10, 888 ‘SUZUKI OF BURNABY 4638 EAST HASTINGS ST. BURNABY 294-2926 best prices on ‘Larado’ van & light truck tes Limited quantities 235 75 15 From AND HERE'S MORE GOOD NEWS ae TIRE BYERS “WE SELL’ TIRES ‘T s ALL WE DO 'AND.WE yaaa Rupert Street’, Worn Vancouver, human victims. The other is that some motorists still try to pass of f damages thev’ve caused as the work of someone else. About one in three hit-and-run claims are not paid because of misrepresentation or fraud. Speaking of fraud. ICBC’s Special Investigation Unit con- tinues to Jay more criminal charges against’ those trying to steal from the system. SIU’s ef- forts have also resulted in civil court victories with claims denied and punitive damages awarded to ICBC. Buy one Weather Mate Plus/70 at our regular price and pay only Ye price for the second tire. 35° 1S5/E0R13 Still, despite the fact thar ICBC has the most active fraud-fighting team of any insurance company in Canada, industry averages suggest exaggerated or fraudulent claims could be siphoning off more than $100 million a year. Of course, we can't forget the impact of the single most serious crime, and that’s drinking and driving. Even though B.C.'s CounterAt- tack program has had a big im- pact on the problem, we estimate that it takes 21% motorist’s premium to settle P155/80R13 P165/80R13 P175/80R13 P185/80R13 P185/75R14 PI9S/7SR14 P20S/75R14 P205/75R15 P2ISITSRIS P225/75R15 P235/75R1SXL ST EEL BELTED ALL—SEASON aloe VALVE STEM INSTALLATION ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY HELP THE ENVIRONMENT There is SZ aoditionat AEG UTIESS BUSES head ackd battery is fetsraed with purchase. Wore RADIAL TIRES TREAD LIFE corn :-TNO CHARGE NORTH VANCOUVER CAPILANO MALL *PI7S/70R13 *P185/70R13 *P18S/70R14 “P205/70R14 *P225/70R15 of every - claims caused by drinking drivers. The 1991 price tag could reach over $290 niillion. Much of the hope for a solution tu these crimes rests with each of us. Our individual efforts to secure our property and to help identify those responsible for theft, vandalism, hit-and-run, fraud and drinking-driving could help drive down Autoplan premiums. How much? Add up the totals and divide by 2.2 million ICBC policies. Clearly, it’s worth doing. 2-WHEEL DISC BRAKE SPECIAL! WITHOUT GST FROM g95 With GST from 74.85 G99 WITH TRADE-IN WITH GST 64.19 SWUL-540 25POINT < MAINTENANCE INSPECTION All included in price: ¢ Courtesy coffee © 25 point maintenance inspection © Install new disc pads * Repack front wheel bearing (if applicable) @ Resurface rotors (if necessary) 3JOMONTH =. © Inspect all major brake components and 4 hardware. (Additional parts & labour S| extra. Metallic pads extra). Woolco disc Avg pads are warranted on any completed brake special for as long as you own your vehicle. EFFECTIVE TILL MARCH 18 925 Marine Drive, North Yancouver 988-5641 & Auto Centre Hours Tire Monday to Wednesday Bam-Gpm Thursday and Friday 8am-2pm Saturday 8am-6om