B.C. sees increase in frequency, severity of bodily injury claims

B.C.’s public insurer is concerned the number of bodily injury claims climbed about 5% between 2009 and 2010, reversing a longstanding trend, according to a report in the Vancouver Metro.
The Metro cites ICBC spokesman Adam Grossman as saying there were nearly 43,000 injury claims last year, costing the corporation an estimated $1.5 billion.
In addition to increased frequency of BI claims, the severity of claims has increased as well. The Metro notes Grossman says there has been a 25% increase in payouts for average injury claims between 2006 and 2010.