What are the consequences of lying to ICBC?

Lying to ICBC either before or after a car accident can be disastrous. It gives ICBC reason to void your insurance. The law allows them to do so if an insured commits fraud or makes a “willfully false statement with respect to a claim”. If you get into an accident and your insurance has been voided, you may be on the hook for the financial consequences of an accident. You could also be held accountable for court costs and extra punitive damages. This is exactly what happened to a couple who had a friend tell the courts that he was an independent witness:

This couple was on the hook for over $200,000 after everything was said and done. However, in the case of a catastrophic injury things could be much worse. Also be aware that ICBC will be vigilant if they suspect fraud. They are known to hire personal investigators, scour the internet, and phone your friends and foes in an effort to uncover the truth.

Smaller lies can also result in ICBC failing to cover you. A common lie concerns the primary driver. In many situations it is cheaper to insure a more experienced driver as the primary driver, and an insured may provide false information about who is actually driving the car regularly. If ICBC uncovers the truth, it can result in a lack of coverage by ICBC.

All of this leads to one conclusion. If you are unsure of what to say to ICBC, consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer first.

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