The Driving Choice organization has announce that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has joined as a partner of the campaign calling for an end to the exclusively public auto insurance market in British Columbia (BC).

A recent survey of independent businesses in B.C. found 75% want ICBC’s monopoly to end. They want a choice in where they buy auto insurance and want to have the ability to shop around.

“It’s time drivers and small businesses in British Columbia had the ability to choose the auto insurance provider that’s right for them,” said Aaron Aerts, Western Canada economist with the CFIB. “The Driving Choice campaign is a great initiative that gives businesses and drivers a voice to spur meaningful change in the province. It’s time for ICBC to compete for its business.”

CFIB joins some 5,000 British Columbians who have already signed on in support of the Driving Choice campaign since its launch in mid-September.

“The overwhelming majority of drivers in BC have stated clearly that they want more choice in auto insurance,” said Aaron Sutherland, Vice-President, Pacific, Insurance Bureau of Canada. “With CFIB joining the Driving Choice campaign, it’s clear small businesses want the same.”

According to Driving Choice, B.C. drivers pay the highest auto insurance rates in Canada, yet receive a level of benefits similar to drivers in other provinces when they make a claim. In Alberta, drivers pay over $500 less on average for the same level of coverage, it says.

Driving Choice also says that while the B.C. government is reforming the product, ICBC is still projecting that it will raise rates by $1.74 billion over the next three years.

Visit www.drivingchoice.ca.