News – The federal government announced today it will be extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) by 8 weeks
As COVID19 creates challenges for how we conduct “normal” business operations, the ARA is working on your behalf to help you do what is best for your business in these uncertain times. We are updating daily so check back often and if you have a question or a precautionary measure you would like to share, please contact us at communication@ara.bc.ca
Please practice all recommended health and safety practices, it’s up to all of us to help keep everyone safe. Thank you.
Health and Safety Resources
As businesses return to work, please use the following WorkSafeBC resources when developing your COVID-19 plan:
Actions the ARA has taken
- The ARA sent out a COVID-19 industry survey to gauge how members are fairing and ask if they support the declaration to have the automotive service declared an essential service during the COVID-19 health crisis. Update: March 26, 2020 – B.C. Government includes towing services and vehicle repair/maintenance as essential services.
- The ARA will be engaged in weekly meetings with ICBC to ensure member questions and concerns are being addressed. Please email communication@ara.bc.ca if you would like the ARA to ask ICBC a question on your behalf.
- All ARA events postponed, alternative dates are being planned for August forward
- ARA staff have transitioned to working from home but are still available by phone. The intent is to ensure programs such as Group Benefits and other services remain protected. Overall, we are serious about ensuring the health and safety of staff so that we’re here to serve you!
- Communicated daily with industry and compiled a list of FAQs based on questions members have asked the association and government.
- Reached out to WorkSafeBC in order to provide industry with the necessary tools and resources for businesses to develop a return-to-work COVID-19 Safety Plan.
- On April 24, President Adrian Scovell wrote to Executive Lead Katie Robb, Joint Information Centre, COVID-19 at B.C. Public Service, recommending temporary layoffs be extended from 13 weeks to 16, which was actualized on May 4.
- Worked with ICBC to develop a pre- and post- sanitization protocol for vehicles. ICBC will pay shops for 0.5 hours of work at $39.76 for pre- and post-sanitization of vehicles serviced
- Addressed concerns with regards to COD and parts supply issues beyond typical concerns experienced even before to COVID-19. As a result, Industry Advisor David Ribeiro reached out to two-part supply groups, Advantage and Uniparts, members of the ARA, who service the B.C. market.
Questions the ARA is asking ICBC and government
- Should the province go into further stages of lockdown, will the automotive service sector be declared an essential service and remain open? Answered: March 26, 2020 – B.C. Government includes towing services and vehicle repair/maintenance as essential services.
- Will industry be able to bill for disinfecting services performed on customer vehicles? Answered: A vehicle sanitizing policy was introduced retro-active to April 1st that includes $39.76 once per supplier per claim with a further $20 fee for sanitizing courtesy and/or rental vehicles.
- Is ICBC capable of deferring customer deductible payments to help encourage those customers who are in financially challenging times continue to receive their claim repairs? Answer at this point: ICBC was already investigating this potential, there is no ETA at this time as a solution is very complex.
- The ARA has asked that ICBC assist industry with their cash flow needs by implementing weekly payment cycles vs every two weeks. Answer at this point: ICBC has taken this under consideration and will investigate however they do have concerns with stretching their own capabilities during these difficult times.
- Some customers are unwilling to sign the estimate release due to COVID19 concerns, is ICBC open to other options such as using an email release? Answered: May 11, 2020 – ICBC will allow alternative electronic methods for confirming the insured’s statement on estimates and invoices submitted for payment, provided customer consent is obtained.
- As many of the schools, colleges, and universities are closing, do we foresee the same closures for I-Car courses? Answered: I-CAR Canada has cancelled all live classes now including welding. This is a big issue for shops that are just about to finish their training to achieve individual platinum to have Gold Class status. I-Car is now offering extensions, but the shops or enrolled technicians are asked to call into I-CAR (1-800-808-2920) to receive the extension. I-CAR will look at this case by case.
- As this pandemic could last months, will ICBC recognize that many shops will experience delays in getting their technicians trained and ready for the new programs ahead?
- Will the government potentially close down crown corporations such as ICBC? Answered: Not at this time.
- Should claim centres close, is there an expectation that operations can or will continue as far as shops being able to process claims? Answered: ICBC is working to keep operations up and running as usual.
- Is ICBC able to keep operations going with staff working from home? i.e. Dial a Claim, Claims Repair Program? Answered: ICBC is continuing to take on new claims.
Helpful Links and Resources
