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Port Mann Ice Bombs Cost ICBC $400,000

ICBC Downplays 'Ice Bomb' Bill
Twitter: Randi_Realtor

Ice bombs that damaged cars after falling from the Port Mann Bridge last December have set ICBC back as much as $400,000, but the insurance company is downplaying the cost.

The bridge from Port Moody to Surrey was closed for several hours after chunks of ice that formed on its cables began falling on vehicles during a snow storm. As many as 350 vehicles were damaged in the incident that occurred just weeks after the $3 billion bridge opened.

ICBC spokesperson Adam Grossman admitted the bill was high, but he said it doesn't look so bad when you take into account the number of claims, Global News reported.

"While that's not an insignificant amount of money, bear in mind, for 350 claims, that's about $1,100 each," he told the network's Catherine Urquhart.

"So for windshield damage and glass damage that's pretty consistent with what we normally see."

But ICBC may yet face more outstanding bills for the incident. It is still trying to settle a number of injury claims and those typically take longer than vehicle damage, Grossman told News1130.

Once ICBC resolves those claims, the company may go to court to try and recoup the money.

"We’re going to keep our focus on looking after those customers and settling those claims as quickly as possible," he said.

"Only after we’re done with all of the claims will we look at any potential next steps in terms of recovering costs.”

TI Corp., the Crown corporation that operates the bridge, agreed in December to cover any deductibles for commuters whose vehicles were damaged.

The damage won't have any impact on British Columbians' insurance rates, Global reported.

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