British Columbia is expecting a big change in insurance policy for drivers, passengers, and cyclists this coming May.

To start, BCers will see a one-time prorated rebate of around $400 per driver and a 20 per cent decrease in their annual policy payments. This shift comes after a much-publicized exposure of the Liberal Government's abuse of ICBC that Skeena MLA Nathan Cullen was quoted as saying "was used as an ATM."

BC Attorney General David Eby said that BC would not transfer to a "no fault" insurance system to protect BD drivers who wanted to take their automobile cases to court in 2018.

That's all changed now, after statistics showed a disheartening increase in BC Supreme Court cases rose from 33 a year to 140 in 2020, with most of those cases being ICBC car accident disputes.

A No Fault Insurance policy limits the need to fight an automobile accident case in court by offering better, higher, and more inclusive care coverage in the ICBC Enhanced Care Package.

CICK News spoke to a number of people who represent different aspects of this new shift: MLA Nathan Cullen (NDP) spoke about the NDP's promise to British Columbians to "do better" for drivers and cyclists involved in automobile accidents.

CICK also spoke with a representative from ICBC, Brent Shearer, who clarified the coverage in more detail, and a local insurance broker Michael Henfrey from Bulkley Valley Insurance Services, Ltd. about the effects on small-town brokerages who will see closures and losses due to the lower rates and, lastly, Rural BC Party nominee Darcy Repen, an outspoken advocate for equity for rural drivers in BC compared to metropolitan drivers (who receive a subsidy from rural BC residents).

To listen to the full story, check out CICK News at smithersradio.com.

Below is CICK's interview with Nathan Cullen about the new ICBC Enhanced Care Package: