An autobody in B.C. was ordered to partially reimburse a client after initially claiming that ICBC would take care of the costs.
The decision was posted by the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal this week.
According to the decision, a customer claimed that an autobody shop located in North Vancouver called Taylormotive incorrectly informed her that ICBC would cover repair costs.
She told the tribunal she had to pay $1,187.91 in extra charges.
Taylormotive told the tribunal that it discovered that the client needed additional “unrelated work,” hence the extra charges. The autobody claimed that the customer had agreed to the work.
The vehicle in question was a 1988 Jeep Comanche.
“Taylormotive had done previous bodywork and mechanical repairs on the Jeep. These repairs were $7,369.67 and $4,625.25,” the tribunal decision says. The customer said that those repairs were very well done.
In May 2023, the customer’s Jeep was damaged in an accident, and both the Jeep’s box and tailgate were impacted.
Because of the age of the vehicle, the autobody told the customer that it didn’t have time to source the parts. The customer had an exchange with an employee referred to as JB, who suggested it would all be covered by ICBC.
“Invoices show Taylormotive billed ICBC $8,257.07,” the decision states. She also paid a $300 deductible.
The customer was also billed $1,187.91 for “personal” repairs.
“Broken down, this was $851.60 for ‘body,’ $85.16 for refinish, $123.88 for materials, and $127.27 for taxes.”
The customer felt ICBC should’ve covered these repairs, as she was informed.
“Taylormotive says these repairs were actually to repair rust damage to the front of the Jeep’s box, which was only visible once the box was removed,” the decision notes.
“I consider Taylormotive’s invoice. I accept the $85.16 to refinish and $123.88 for materials are reasonable. However, without more, I find 10 hours for body work is unreasonable. The only evidence is the photo I describe above. The rusted area is not small, but is not overly large. In the circumstances, I find 5 hours is appropriate, or $425.80,” the tribunal added.
For a remedy, the tribunal ordered the B.C. autobody to reimburse the customer $512.86, plus an additional $75 for tribunal fees.