ICBC not paying my full estimate price with private autobody shop?

[1exotic]

- Car had a hit and run, ICBC claim was made.

- Brought the car to ICBC claims center for an estimate, which was about $1520 total (including $300 deductible). So that leaves me with $1220.

- I spoke to ICBC the month after, asking how it works if I take it to a non-ICBC shop. A friend owns a shop, we agreed he would charge me the full cost to fix the damage ICBC is paying for, in additional I wanted a few things done on the car which he gave me a little discount. ICBC claims told me word for word as long as I provide an invoice I will be reimbursed the full amount, this is because I'd need to pay out of my pocket for the repairs.

- I went ahead with the repair. I then made an appointment to bring the car so they can inspect the damage repair and I left the invoice. It was quick and everything was good. Claims guy said my chq will be mailed out in 30 days.

- I called ICBC about 35 days after, seeing the status of my money. They mentioned it was mailed out yesterday the day I spoke with them. They also mentioned the total amount was $810. I said that's low so they put me in touch with the claims guy I lasted visited (to inspect the damage repair)

- I called him up, explained the situation, and tells me non-ICBC vendor shops don't get the same pay out because they don't do the same work or something along those lines. He then tells me I should of taken it to an ICBC repair shop and that he told me this. I reminded him he was inspecting my repairs, why am I being told this after I already spent money to have my car fixed. I wasn't told anything like this when I brought the car in for the original estimate, ICBC claims information line didn't mention anything, and the ICBC claims papers didn't mention anything as well. I told the guy it would make no sense for me to have it done at a private shop if I knew I'm going to be out $400, keeping in mind I am already paying $300 deductible, so that makes it $700.. He said he'd get back to me and talk to the guy who originally estimated my car...

We are not talking thousands, but I'm still out $400 since ICBC gave me misleading info.
Is there anything I can do?

[BoostedBB6]

If the shop is not ICBC accreddited then they do not get the same pay outs.

When ICBC tells you something, get it in writing. Been told all kinds of things on the first issues I had to deal with them regarding.....after that if its not in writing then it does not exist. They hate me but when you force them to provide you with a document to refer to they have no legs to stand on.

[XplicitLuder]

^ x2

i hope it all works out but you may be SOL this time

[Nvasion]

non icbc accreddited shops get a lower door rate then icbc acreddited shops so i think your screwed this time

[Spidey]

there aren't many shops that aren't accredited.....

[BSC]

Not sure uf youve figured it out yet but sounds more like ur buddy did not have an ICBC vendor license and u had to take a pay out for the damages.
They would take the amount less deductible, less taxes, and less 25%
I don't know y they told u to invoice them and get the full amount. usually they will just cut u a cheque and u can do whatever u want with it.

[Truenosan]

There's a reason why ICBC highly recommends taking it to accredited shops. Non ICBC vendors have the lowest rate, which I believe is $50.55/hr if I recall correctly. Where as ICBC express shops are at $70/hr. (this is for body labour, not including shop materials).

I'm only speculating here, but it's possible your friend billed it out an incorrect rate, and it's also possible the estimator who viewed your car afterwards overlooked it. But when this happens, the person who signs off on the payments will usually catch the error.

I hate to say it, but it is possible you are out of luck on this one.

[TheSalesman]

Maybe it has changed but there was a time AK autoworks was not a icbc shop. I got my car repaired there anyways and I was fully reimbursed.