28 - Friday, December 1, 1989 - North Shore News A vu TO MOTI Maryland locks to B.C. WITH THE number and cost of claims driving up B.C.’s auto insurance premiuins, it might surprise you to learn that millions of motorists in the U.S. would love to pay as ‘“‘little’? as we do for auto insurance. That’s what Les Ransom says. Ransom is chairman of the City-Wide Insurance Coalition in Baltimore, Maryland. He is one of many American § insurance crusaders looking to British Columbia for some solutions to the dual problems of availability and affordability in auto insurance. How would you feel if because of your age, sex, or AutoTopic Ken Hardie INSURANCE CORPORATION ‘Of BRITISH COLUMBIA marital status, you were charged far more for your auto insurance than other Grivers, even though you hadn’t had an accident? What would you do if an in- surance company cancelled your policy because you had a claim? What would hap- pen if every insurance com- pany in town refused to sell you the coverage you need- ed? Ransom says some people in Baltimore have experi- eaced these situations. Many, he fears, are driving without any insurance coverage. An adult driving a late model vehicie to or from work in Baitimore pays an average $900 (US) a year for less than half the minimum coverage we have in B.C. The same coverage would cost a 19-year-old-male over $2,800, while his B.C. counterpart would pay $948 for double the coverage. Price is just one of the things he finds interesting about our system in B.C. He says the average amount of coverage we pur- chase here is much higher than in major U.S. cities and the cost is significanily iower. This means that more insurance funds are available in B.C. to compensate those who have suffered losses in en accident. He also notes that our No-Fault Accident Benefits are far higher than you will find in the States. Ransom is surprised that ICBC operates close to its break-even mandate. Many insurers in Maryland com- plain that even with high premiums, they are losing money on auto insurance. He sees the Claim-Rated Scale and Driver Point Premium systems as fairer ways of determining how much motorists should con- tribute to the insurance fund. The Claim-Rated Scale establishes the principle that, all other factors being equal, those with the same claims record will pay the same premium for their Autoplan ASK THE EXPERT ASK THE Expert is a weekly column in the North Shore News’ Automotives section. Each week a reader’s question will be answered by two or more local experts in the automotives trade. This week's question is: We are thinking of purchasing a Toyota 4- Runner (new). Our plan is to tow a 19 to 20- foot trailer with this vehicle. I am confused by @ the gross weight referred to in the trailer manufacturer’s brochures: dces this mean the maximum weight of the trailer including water, propane, groceries, luggage etc. or does it mean just the weight of the trailer plus the contents of the holding tanks (i.e. without including the weight of the bedding, kitchen utensils etc.). The six cylinder Toyota 4-Runner has the same towing capacity as the four cylinder according to their brochure. Can you explain this? Mike Arnott West Vancouver The gross weight refers to total weight carried in- A. cluding the trailer. Frame strength, braking ability and gear ratios help determine the vehicle’s towing capacity. Engine size has very little to do with towing capacity. Alistair Duncan, Sales manager Sim Pattison Toyota, North Shore The gross weight is the total weight of the trailer A. plus its carrying capacity. The towing capacity of a vehicle is guided by many factors such as vehicle weight, engine size, cooling capacity, vehicle brake size, suspension systems, to name a few. The manufacturer recommends the towing capacity that the vehicle can safely tow. To increase one element (such as engine size) would not necessarily in- crease the towing capacity. Dave Chapman Manager, Technical Services BCAA If you have an auto-related question, write to: ‘‘Ask the Ex- pert,’’ North Shore News, 113% Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4. coverage. Driver Point Premiums are assessed in recognition of the extra in- surance risk posed by motorists who commit mov- ing violations. VES for insuranee solutions If you have a_ valid driver’s licence, ICBC will sell you the auto insurance you need — we cannot turn you away. However, if you have a poor driving record, you will pay more for your vehicle insurance than the claim- or conviction-frez. This does away with rating based arbitrarily on age, sex or marital status. For in- SALES HOURS MON-THURS 9-9 FRi-SAT 9-6 SUN 41-5 stance, even though unmar- ried males under 25 have more accidents than other groups of motorists, a 21- See ICBC Page 30