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Edmonds questioned why ICBC is “just pulling the pin on” insuring luxury vehicles without consulting industry members or adjusting premiums to reflect their higher values.

“If they’re off whack, then the answer to that is to adjust the premiums accordingly, because I do think they have an obligation to provide an insurance mechanism for every type of vehicle and driver in the province,” said Phil Garrow, owner of Sea to Sky Exotic Car Rentals.

“They’re not a private company. They’re someone who essentially is the insurance company in British Columbia. So for them to just arbitrarily say, ‘We don’t want to handle X segment of the market,’ is ludicrous.”

Garrow said seven of his fleet’s 13 high-end luxury vehicles — which includes Lamborghinis and a Ferrari — will be impacted by the change.

NDP critic Adrian Dix said ICBC should update its rate book to properly price its product rather than create a new structure.

“People who drive these cars should simply pay for the cost of their insurance — period,” Dix said. “If you are saying it’s legal to drive a Ferrari in B.C., ICBC should be able to figure out how to insure it. ICBC should be at least that competent.”

Premier Christy Clark said “taking exotic cars out of the rate pool for everybody else” is one example of coming change to drive down ICBC rates.

“If you are driving a Lamborghini and you get a ding on your door, you are going to have to figure out how to fix that,” she said. “The person who drives a Honda is not going to be covering the cost of the $36,000 replacement door for your Aston Martin. Sorry, if you can afford a car that is that expensive, you can afford to fix it yourself.”

neagland@postmedia.com

twitter.com/nickeagland

With files from Rob Shaw

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