ICBC's CEO is confident the bridge toll scam has been shut down - Action News
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British Columbia

ICBC's CEO is confident the bridge toll scam has been shut down

The president and CEO of ICBC says hes confident a scam insurance brokers were using to help their clients avoid paying bridge tolls is no longer taking place in B.C.

An investigation revealed insurance brokers helped their clients avoid paying bridge tolls

The Port Mann Bridge connects Surrey and Coquitlam. B.C. drivers who have unpaid tolls from crossing the span can be blocked from renewing their driver's licence or car insurance until they pay up. (CBC)

The president and CEO of ICBC says he's confident a scam insurance brokers were using to help their clients avoid paying bridge tolls is no longer taking place in B.C.

"We're very comfortable that behaviour doesn't exist to any degree now," Blucher said.

"We've put in place procedures now to make sure that can't happen as often, and it's going to be managed really closely within the organization."

B.C. drivers aren't allowed to renew their licences or car insurance if their bills for crossing the Port Mann or Golden Ears Bridges are more than 90 days overdue.

To have the "refuse-to-issue" hold removed from their accounts, drivers have to pay their debt and give their official receipt number to an insurance broker.

When the broker enters the number in the Autoplan system, the driver can then proceed with their renewal.

The Insurance Corporation of B.C. estimates 100 people are under investigation for entering phony numbers and says 27 broker offices have been fined.

"I'm sure in some cases it was a customer who really needed that insurance rightly in that timing and perhaps didn't have the evidence on them at that time," Blucher said.

"I have absolute faith in our brokers. They've been representing ICBC for over 40 years and selling insurance and do a fine job of doing that."