AUTOMCTIVES
Record claims lead

to higher

ICBC PRESIDENT Tom
Holmes used words like
‘“f‘alarming’’ and
‘‘deplorable’’ to describe
record claims and costs
which have led to the rise in
Autoplan premiums effec-
tive Feb. 1.

ICBC projects it will need 19%
more in premiums from B.C.
motorists this year in order to pay
for the claims we are expected to
make.

Claims reported per year are up
50% over the past five years, to
870,000 last year from 576,000 in
1987. Costs of settling them have
risen 80%, to $1.5 billion in 1991
from $851 million just five years
ago.

However, not everyone's
Autoplan policy is going up by
19%.

Premiums for each coverage
will change according to the
number and costs of claims that
will be made on them. This
“claims experience’? also deter-
mines premiums for each type of
use (Pleasure Use Only, To and
From Work, etc.) and for each of
B.C.’s 14 territories.

Lower Mainland motorists will
still pay the highest premiums
because the Vancouver area has
B.C.'s worst claims experience.

Third party liability will cost
more because ICBC expects more
damage and injury claims will be
made against motorists it insures.
With more thefts and vandalisms
predicted this year, the cost of
comprehensive coverage will also

premiums

INSURANCE

CORPORATION

OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
AUTO TOPIC

On the other hand, collision
coverage will cost less because of
an improved claims experience.

Many motorists purchasing both
collision and comprehensive
coverage will likely see premiums
tise less than 19% because lower
collision premiums will partly off-
set higher costs for the other
coverage.

Conversely, those without colli-
sion coverage may see a higher
percentage increase over last
year’s premium. Their policy will
still cost less than those who add
collision coverage.

Those who caused an accident
in 1991 will be hardest hit. Rising
premiums and lower claim-raied
scale discounts mean one at-fault
claim could boost their premiums
up by about 70%. Two claims,
and the ike could be closer to
125%.

President Holmes reiterated the
fact that B.C. motorists set their
own auto insurance premiums
through their collective driving re-
cord. That worsening record
means this year’s premiums will
need ito go up for everyone if
there’s to be enough in the fund
to pay for auto-related losses.

A good driving record still
means lewer premiums — a fact
becoming more evident as in-
surance costs continue to ge up.

Van’s outward visibility
excellent in all directions

From page 19

vironment. A quick check of the
technical specs reveals that max-
imum torque is reached at just
2,200 rpm compared to 3,200 rpm
for the previous engine. The new
EuroVan has much more get-
up-and-go when you need it;
however, 310 horsepower for a
1,730 kg van is not a lot by North
American standards. It would be
nice to see Volkswagen put their
V6 engine into the EuroVan as an
option.

Now that the front wheels are
ahead of the front doors instead
of behind them, the step up into
the driver’s seat is not as difficult,
but it is still rather awkward. I
kept banging my foot on the
door-mounted speaker when get-
ting in and out.

Once you get in, the firm,
tweed-cloth seats are very com-
fortable, and folding armrests are
available for all the seats. Out-
ward visibility is excellent in all
directions. The windows are
unusually large and the driver sits
up very high. Large side mirrors
are very useful when backing up.

The steering wheel is more ver-
tical than before, but it is still at a

aE

° PLEASE

OP's

flatter angle than mest vans, giv-
ing the impression of driving a
bus. In the manual transmission-
equipped van, the gear lever falls
nicely into the driver’s hand, and
for the most part, shifting is easy.
However, moving from second
gear into first requires a little
more force.

Instruments and controls are all
very clear and placed in a logical
manner. The centre console, hous-
ing stereo, ventilation and heater
controls, protrudes outwards for
easier reach. There are separate
heater and fan controls for the
tear of the cabin.

Despite its size and height, the
EuroVan is zesistant to sidewinds
ana handles extremely well, some-
thing I credit to its excellent in-
dependent suspension system.
Power-assisted steering is stand-
ard (not on CL models) and ABS
anti-lock brakes are available as
an option. With its 80-litre fuel
tank capacity, the EuroVan has a
tange of 850 kilometres.

Starting at more than $21,000,
the EuroVan is comparatively ex-
pensive, but it is very well equip-
ped, very roomy, very well made
and very much a Volkswagen.

PEEDING

|CUSTOMLEASE /@

ip Saturday

* Based on 48 month open ended lease, OAC, INCLUDES freight & PDI, taxes extra.
Vehicles may not be exactly as illustrated

VEHICLE LEASING SPECIALISTS
AND SALES

1348 MARINE DRIVE

NORTH VANCOUVER
PLEASE CALL

988-1142

HOURS
Mon-Thurs. 7:30am-Fpm
Friday 7:30am-6pm
10am-4pm

Friday, January 10, 1992 — North Shore News — 24

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