ICBC steps up campaign against car theft.

In conjunction with the B.C. provincial government and police, ICBC is putting auto thieves and their passengers on notice that if they steal a vehicle, they will be held financially responsible.Project No Free Ride is an initiative focused on recovering costs from auto thieves directly through civil litigation. The program’s intent is to deter auto theft by holding people involved in stealing vehicles financially responsible for the entire cost of a theft claim regardless of whether or not they are charged and convicted criminally of theft or possession of stolen property. ICBC is partnering with the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT), and other police to identify people in possession of stolen vehicles and, where appropriate, take civil action against them.”This is another valuable tool in the fight against auto theft,” according to the minister of public safety and solicitor general John Les. “The provincial government is committed to making streets safer in B.C. We have been effective in reducing the number of vehicles being stolen through the Bait Car Program and other auto crime initiatives. Project No Free Ride is the next piece in the puzzle to stop auto theft.”A civil judgment remains in effect for 20 years. ICBC has the statutory right under the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act to refuse to issue or cancel both driver’s licenses and insurance during the time a judgment remains unpaid. ICBC says it expects most people during those two decades will want to drive and they will have to pay back these court awards to do so.In 2005 there were almost 21,000 vehicles reported stolen to ICBC at a cost to policyholders of CD$86 million.”As overall claims costs continue to rise, ICBC is actively seeking new programs like Project No Free Ride, to keep rates low and stable,” ICBC vice-president of loss management Mark Withenshaw says. “This program is an extension of our practice to recover the cost of auto crime from those convicted of auto theft. Thieves need to know that the net is closing in and there will be No Free Ride when it comes to auto crime.”As part of the launch of this project, ICBC is sending warning letters to known auto thieves, putting them on notice. In conjunction with the launch of Project No Free Ride, ICBC has also commenced, or is in the process of commencing, civil action against more than 50 convicted auto thieves, seeking damages in excess of CD$2 million.