The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s (ICBC) president and CEO Mark Blucher claims that the bridge toll fraud that a number of insurance brokers have allegedly been perpetrating is no longer taking place in the province.
Late last month, the Insurance Council of BC launched an investigation into the fraud scheme, which involved brokers allegedly inputting fake toll receipt numbers into the Autoplan system to help their clients renew their licenses or car insurance, as outstanding tolls prevent motorists from doing so.
About 100 brokers are under investigation for their involvement in the scheme. Several brokers have already been disciplined by the Council for the offence, and 27 broker offices have been fined.
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However, ICBC head Blucher believes that the fraud is now under control.
“We’re very comfortable that behaviour doesn’t exist to any degree now,” he told CBC. “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.”
“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 added.
“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.”
Related stories:
Broker bridge toll fraud saga heats up as three more found guilty
Insurance Council of BC: Broker bridge toll fraud is widespread, but not systemic
