LF: ICBC Advice re: Courtesy/Rental/Loss of Use
 

So my pickup truck (Ford F-150) was hit by a drunk driver in early July 2022. My truck has been towed to a repair facility and is currently having work done but probably won't see it for at least another 2-3 weeks as there was major damage done to the axle. The other driver actually flipped their car upon impact to my truck's left rear.

Over a month after my claim was submitted, they have not determined fault yet primarily because they don't have the other party's details. VPD does have this information but apparently the process to release such information to ICBC can take up to 2 months (according to the ICBC rep I spoke to today). I did call VPD to see if I could get it sooner/directly but they said that due to privacy I can't just call and request details based on the file number and ICBC has to make that formal request.

Anyway, that's besides the fact as I'm not too concerned about the whole liability/fault situation since my legally parked truck was hit by a drunk driver.

My issue right now is that I don't need a normal courtesy car to get to/from work. I specifically need a pickup truck to do truck things with on the weekends etc. Just frustrating how restricting ICBC's policies are in my situation as I've been trying for over a month now and either 1 of these criteria are not met.

Out of the $100/day budget: I have to pay for anything over the $100 daily limit. Why? It's not my fault a drunk driver incapacitated my truck, shouldn't the other party/their insurance be liable for this?

Availability: 1/2 ton pickup trucks are not super-readily available at rental agencies, especially not the ICBC preferred rental agencies. I asked them if I could rent a different sized vehicle (e.g., cargo van, heavy duty truck, etc.) and ICBC says no

Use of vehicle: I insure my truck under pleasure use as I use it for various outings such as towing or hauling bbq/tents/etc. often out of town (outside of lower Mainland, down to Washington state, etc.). The towing part rules out the vast majority of rental agencies as far as I can tell and the out of province/country part doesn't make it easier either.

At the end of the day I just want to be made right by ICBC and be able to use a vehicle the way I would've used my truck, had it not been hit by a drunk driver. I understand why the policies that ICBC and the rental agencies are in place, but so far being understanding doesn't really get me anywhere. I feel like 99% of the time a standard <$100/day rental would've sufficed but my situation is kind of unique. Any way I can escalate within ICBC or seek legal help to get a proper truck reimbursed?

I've since spoken to ICBC 4 times and they've basically just said no to anything beyond a basic rental courtesy car. Seems like if I need anything more I'll need to pay out of pocket which isn't really fair and isn't really why I have insurance in the first place..? Sorry if I sound a bit entitled but I feel like if we were in a different jurisdiction my insurance company/lawyer could fight for me to have a similar vehicle to serve a similar purpose, even if it does exceed this arbitrary "cap" that ICBC puts on courtesy cars

I think you’re kinda out of luck, they can’t start down a slippery slope of matching what people have with their courteously car. What if a guy in a Ferrari is waiting months for his car and demands an equivalent car?

Sucks when it’s not your doing, but… insurance is there as coverage and that coverage has limitations on it that are laid out for you at the time of purchase… need more than what is offered? Shop around and see what fits you best.

Good luck my parked car was hit last fall and I'm still waiting for parts, ICBC said it's fine to drive around with damaged none operating one side headlight plus bumper held on by tape. :pokerface::lawl: meanwhile loud exhausts are illegal :fulloffuck: where's my compensation for loss of use

my truck sat at rusty for 3-4 weeks and is now apparently at central estimating for like 2 weeks

im pondering whether to say fuck it and tow it home

You pay for insurance coverage which includes up to $100/day for a rental vehicle. You're getting $100/day for a rental vehicle. That sounds pretty fair to me. If you want coverage for more then get coverage for more.

I don't think you can just get more coverage, I remember asking my insurance guy cuz ICBC told me I only can get $100 rental and like total was $500 worth. It's up to the body shop if they give you a courtesy car. But then I guess that's only while your car is at their shop. Not waiting for parts, unless your car is 100% undrivable maybe?

Thing is even if I had no coverage I should be covered since I'm not at fault in this case. Shouldn't be my responsibility to cover the difference in a not at fault situation. Should I not be able to go after the at-fault party to make up the difference? (in any other system)

If I crashed my own truck into a ditch and ICBC would only cover $100/day then I'd totally be fine with eating whatever additional costs or having to buy more coverage.

Unless I'm mistaken the other persons insurance is to cover the repair to your vehicle, not your loss of use. I can't say I've heard of someone having insurance for the other persons loss of use.

This isn't going to help in your scenario, but ages ago I had my pickup go in for warranty repair, this was a 2018 3500 Silverado (which was a brand new truck at time). At first the dealer tried to give me a chevy equinox, or some little tiny SUV cant remember. When i complained citing the need for a truck, the sales manager got involved. I had bought a number of trucks from this dealer. So he told them to figure it out. So the service manager D-Plated a Brand new Escalade and drove it up front, I quickly explained to him i need a truck for work things, and he was like you can do anything in this truck.

Well the look of horror on the entire service staff's face when I started yard sailing bull floats, and concrete rakes, and trowels and crap in the back seat of the truck, was a spectacle.

I feel for you, when you buy a truck to actually use for truck things, you need the fucking thing. Like I certainly dont pay $2.39/L for diesel and get 10mpg for fun. I need the fucking thing otherwise i'd own a tesla.

You might want to look up the rules for no fault insurance now.

All your coverage comes out of your own coverage now. Whether you’re at fault or not just changes whether you’re penalized or not.

It used to be if you had no collision coverage and it was the other persons fault, they still paid your repairs. Not anymore. Even if it’s not your fault you’re pooched if you don’t have your own coverage.

This doesn't directly help but if you do decide to rent a pickup, keep in mind regular credit card rental insurance won't cover pickup trucks.

I see your point. But no one really uses a Ferrari for necessity (like work).
He's not asking for a truck of similar value, just a vehicle of similar storage capability. A lot of people rely on trucks for work, so it's not out of the ordinary. I think there could be a better system in place that can honor these type of things without it becoming too "slippery slope".