ICBC hired 43 more estimators since February to deal with higher claims costs

ICBC hired 43 more estimators since February to deal with higher claims costs
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ICBC has hired 43 new estimators since February. File photo. (David Horemans/CBC).

ICBC has hired 43 new estimators since February.
File photo. (David Horemans/CBC).

ICBC has hired 43 new estimators since February in an effort to deal with an increase in vehicle claims costs and enhance oversight of auto body repair costs.

The province’s crown auto insurer now has 250 estimators and plans to hire 17 more estimators this year.

Attorney General David Eby said the new hires are the first estimator trainee group to be engaged with a full training program since 2002.

“We understand that British Columbians needing auto repair work have concerns about possible overbilling, and the impact this has on insurance costs. That’s why I directed ICBC to increase the number of estimators on the front lines,” Eby said in a statement. “These new hires will provide more guidance and support to body shops, increase governance of ICBC’s material-damage programs, and help strengthen ICBC’s relationships with industry.”

According to Eby, ICBC has done 2,800 more site visits of collision repair shops compared than the previous fiscal year, a 38.5 per cent year-over-year increase.

Eby said ICBC is working with collision repair shops and industry associations on changes that will modernize the current tiering of auto body suppliers.

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