ICBC, Toyota, Cooperate on Claims Review

Terri Goveia | March 2, 2010

Auto maker Toyota is cooperating with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s (ICBC) ongoing review of claims involving the manufacturer’s recalled vehicles.

The province’s public insurer is working with Toyota to determine whether any of the safety-related recall issues –including sticking accelerator pedals and floor mat problems--were contributing factors to the accident, ICBC spokesman Adam Grossman told CI March 3.

No timeframe

At present, the insurer has singled out 20 claims for review. “If the recall/safety issues prove to be a contributing factor then we’ll be asking Toyota to cover that portion of the cost of the claim,” Grossman said.

The investigations will continue as needed, he said, noting that the insurer hasn’t put a timeframe on the review, “but are certainly working hard on it.”

As to whether the investigation would impact premiums, Grossman called any speculation “premature,” noting that, “investigations are still ongoing.”

In January, Toyota issued a recall of several models in Canada—the  2009-2010 RAV4; the 2009-2010 Corolla; the 2009-2010 Matrix; the 2005-2010 Avalon; the 2007-2010 Camry; the 2010 Highlander; the  2007-2010 Tundra and the  2008-2010 Sequoia.

The company has also voluntarily recalled its 2010 Prius and Lexus HS 250h models to address inconsistencies with its anti-lock braking systems, as well as a limited number of its 2010 Tacoma 4WD trucks to inspect its front drive shaft.