A burnt out car following wildfires in 150 Mile. (Katya Slepian/Black Press)

A burnt out car following wildfires in 150 Mile. (Katya Slepian/Black Press)

Wildfires cost ICBC $500,000

Auto insurer has received 124 claims since the season began

  • Aug. 23, 2017 12:00 p.m.

Wildfire costs are ratcheting up across the board and the Insurance Corp. of B.C. is no exception.

According to the auto insurer, wildfire-related claims have cost it $500,000 to date. That cost comes from 124 claims, mostly from extreme heat and smoke damage. Some vehicles have had to be written off as total losses.

RELATED: More than 50 ICBC wildfire claims filed in July

ICBC noted several changes for drivers on evacuation alert: customers whose comprehensive insurance has recently expired will be able to renew and those who already have, or have previously purchased, optional coverage, or who have never insured a vehicle in B.C., will be able to purchase full ICBC optional coverage for new vehicles.

Speaking in July, an ICBC spokesperson said that anyone whose car has been damaged as a result of escaping wildfires along a forest service road will not have to pay their deductible.

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