I HATE ICBC

The most frequently stolen vehicle BC is Ford F-Series truck.

Owners of the most are being offered up to $160 each by ICBC to install immobilizers to prevent theft.

Getting an immobilizer was a no-brainer for Dave Peterson, who owns a shiny, 2006 Ford F-150.

But he was a little curious about the ICBC pilot project, which is offering cash to the about 2,200 owners of non-immobilized F-Series 2000 to 2006 trucks in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

“Why are they giving them money?” said Peterson.

Immobilizers are hard-wired into a vehicle and shut down ignition and fuel systems. A special key or electronic code is needed to start a vehicle equipped with the device.

Transport Canada regulations that came into effect Sept. 1, 2007, require all new cars to come equipped with immobilizers.

ICBC thinks that spending the money to prevent the trucks from being stolen is cheaper than repairing them if they are ripped off.

ICBC is sending letters with all the details to the truck owners.

The F-Series trucks started rising in the ranks of most-stolen vehicles beginning in 2005 when they were in eighth place. They moved up to No. 3 in 2006, slipped a little last year to fourth spot, but this year powered past the long-time favourite Honda Civics from 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2000.

Unlike many vehicles of a similar vintage, the 2000 to 2006 Ford F-Series did not come standard with immobilizers and thieves took advantage of that flaw.

The big trucks are also handier than Hondas when it comes to hauling away stolen goods or crashing through storefronts.

Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC’s director of road safety, said the immobilizer pilot program could be expanded to other vehicles and other areas.

“It has to be something customers want, something customers take advantage of, something where the investment can be justified,” he said.

ICBC also announced yesterday it is increasing the number of Ford F-Series trucks in the bait-car program.