Accidents hit auto premiums More than ICBC predicted Increasing numbers of accidents plus_ spiralling costs of repairing vehicles during the first half of 1980, have resulted in an autoplan operating loss of $15.5 milion. The Insurance Cor- poration’s interim report for A breakdown of the $40 million increase shows $25 million resulted from in- creased severity in accident claims and $15 million related to the increase in the number of claims reported. The Corporation received the six 246,000 claims in are now costing the Cor- poration and B.C. motorists $1.2 million a day. We're concerned about’ future premium rates and all drivers should share this concern and exercise preater care on the roads.” Holmes said the Cor- auto the six months ended June 30, 1980, released today, attnbutes the loss to the “much higher than expected cost of claims.” The report warns: “It is quite evident that this development, if continued, will have a distinct impact on premium rates for 1981.” The cost of claims jumped $40 million or 22 per cent from $178 million in the first halt of 1979 to $218 milhon in 1960 months — 19,000 more than in the same period in 1979. The average claim cost was $886 — an increase of $102 or 13 per cent. The average bodily injury claim rose by almost 10 per cent to $4,021. That's $355 per claim more than in the same period last year. President Tom Holmes said hé views the increase in frequency and severity of claims with “grave concern.” He said: “Accident claims Drinking doesn’t pay in NY State ALBANY, N.Y. (UPI) Drinking and driving in New York State now mix even less. A new law that took effect Monday made more stringent the administration of cases involving accused drunken drivers, and. stuf- fened the penalties for CORSIC TON It as now mandatory that. if convicted on a first charge of drunken driving, a per- son's licence be suspended for three months. If con- victed of drunken driving twice within seven years, an offender will be sentenced as a felon) The’ conviction period used to be 10 years. And if three convictions are returned within seven years, a drunken driver's heense will be revoked. HONDA DATSUN TOYOTA& MAZDA. Japanese Auto Specialists ‘‘Quality Service Assured’”’ 986-5122 HONDA POWER PRODUCTS SALES, SERVICE 986-3116 eo = 1.8, Auto..1189 w. 16th'st.N. Van. (Pemberton) | a ye cordon WAPORT AUTOS LTD. 10th & Alma, Vancouver tune up /@e>., rad flush $21.00 4 a" | ? ow -° alignmen . - 2. |) plus body shop deisel imports fuel in ” Gr fection shocks ale CONdItONINg Engine overhauls and much much more! $35.00) 1519 Clyde Ave | West Vancouver G22 32.31 The more you look the more you tthe 733-8105 poration ts exercising every possible efficiency to help offset the claims umpact. He was referring to controllable ilems such as operating expenses which because of improved efficiencies resulted in an 8.4 per cent drop in the cost of doing busines. This bright administrative spot in the Six Months report is recorded in the fact that the Corporation’s expense ratio for the period was 16.7 Service Manager TOM WILSON fantastic savings! per cent of premium dollars earned, down from 17.1 per cent in 1979. “This is a significant achievement,” said Holmes, “and it compares very favourably with a North American industry average of over 30 per cent. Another Corporate ac- uvitvy which helps to carry the cost °