PARKSVILLE, British Columbia – [Update 2:40 p.m. PST, Nov. 28: Russ De Maris spoke with RCMP but they couldn’t offer updated info. He then talked with CHEK, which had posted the news story. They reported, “(Hill has) received tons of help,” and so he appears to be in good shape now.] For Daryl Hill, a heart attack wasn’t the only emergency this fall. While he was in the hospital, someone stole the 22-foot motorhome he calls home, leaving him grappling with stolen motorhome insurance issues he can barely afford.
Hill, 71, suffered a heart attack while driving to Oceanside Urgent Care Centre in Parksville. When he arrived, the clinic had already closed for the night. A security guard called 9‑1‑1, and Hill was rushed by ambulance to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
While he recovered, Hill’s motorhome disappeared. He asked friends to move it off the hospital lot, which they did. When they went to check on it two days later, it missing. Police eventually located the vehicle a few kilometers away in Errington. The motorhome was towed to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) in Nanaimo for safekeeping.
Insurance company demands $1,000 for inspection
When Hill went to retrieve it, he discovered significant damage. “It went straight out of park, straight into drive, low, and nothing in between,” he said. “I fiddled with it, tried to get it to go into gear, but nothing worked. The transmission was completely unresponsive.” The damage left the vehicle undriveable, stripping Hill of both his transportation and the home he relies on.
For readers unfamiliar with ICBC, it is the government-run auto insurer for British Columbia. It provides mandatory basic coverage to all drivers, along with optional theft and comprehensive insurance. Typically, when a stolen vehicle is recovered, ICBC evaluates any damage and reimburses repair costs if the damage is linked to the theft.
Hill’s case, however, has hit a surprising snag. ICBC told him he would need to pay up to $1,000 up-front for an inspection to determine whether the transmission and gear damage occurred during the theft. Only if the inspection confirms theft-related damage would ICBC reimburse both the inspection and repairs.
“I don’t even make $1,800 a month,” Hill said. “That’s why I live in my motorhome. I can’t afford a motel at $1,500 a month. And now, without my RV, I feel like I’m trapped.”
ICBC’s demand isn’t typical
Requiring such a large upfront fee is not typical of ICBC’s publicly described process. Usually, the insurer arranges or authorizes damage estimates after recovery. Requests like this arise only when there is uncertainty about whether the damage occurred during the theft—leaving low-income or vulnerable residents in a particularly difficult position.
For Hill, the motorhome is more than just transportation—it’s his home. Until the inspection is completed and repairs approved, he is without wheels and without shelter. His story underscores not only the personal impact of unexpected crises but also the real challenges seniors can face navigating stolen motorhome insurance issues.
Sources include CHEK News.
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RVT1237b
Yet he drove it to the “Care Centre”. He needs a lawyer. Typical crap from ICBC.
The “BC” part stands for bring cash.
BC socialism in action.
Insurance companies find any and all excuses not to pay up.
Curious to know if that procedure is listed in his policy.
The RV was driven into the hospital lot. The damaged occurred when it was stolen.
How can the insurance verify that the damage already existed?
It’s also possible the RV was towed from the medical centers lot and the damage was caused by the towing company, who then just abandoned the vehicle.
You are correct about almost everything in your comment Bob, and I agree. The one thing at issue is that having ICBC is not a choice. It is a mandatory government insurance provider, not a private company. If you want to drive a car in BC with BC plates, you have to purchase the policy from the govt of BC. No ICBC policy…, no plates from the DMV. It is taxation for the privilege of driving an owned auto. You can also buy additional insurance privately but you still need ICBC, regardless of the small print or coverages, no choice in the matter.
Is there anyway we can contribute to help him secure the money for an inspection?
Hi, Janet. Thank you for asking. I was wondering the same thing and checked earlier but didn’t see anything. I just now tried to find more information by Googling it, but couldn’t find anything. I’ll check again tomorrow and if I can find something, like an updated news report that might have that info, I’ll post it in these comments. Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I, too, would like this information.
Hi, Janet and Janet. I’ve searched for more information on this story but don’t see anything. You might try contacting the reporter, Kendall Hanson, at info@cheknews.ca. Maybe he has further information. Good luck! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Hi, Janet. Here’s an update from Fri. afternoon, which I’ve added to the top of the post: [Update 2:40 p.m. PST, Nov. 28: Russ De Maris spoke with RCMP but they couldn’t offer updated info. He then talked with CHEK, which had posted the news story. They reported, “(Hill has) received tons of help,” and so he appears to be in good shape now.] Thank you (and other Janet) again for your concern. 😀 –Diane
I’M FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND I’M HERE TO HELP YOU. YEAH, RIGHT.
Government administration, headed up, no doubt, by a political appointee*. You are in effect guilty of fraud until you can prove otherwise. Take a number and go sit down. Who’s next?
*Political appointee- Someone with no specific skills or knowledge of, in this case insurance, but worked hard to get a crony elected to office.