Collision repair program sublet repairs policy

Subletting, legally referred to as subcontracting, may be appropriate to facilitate cost-effective, timely, and industry appropriate collision repairs. Sublets should not be done routinely for repair operations that are typically and reasonably performed in-house by collision repair facilities.

Collision repair program participants are expected to perform repair operations in-house where those operations are typically and reasonably within the capability of a collision repair facility operating in similar circumstances. For example, common mechanical operations related to vehicle cooling and air conditioning should typically be performed by the program participant.

Subletting may be justified in certain circumstances, including

• specialized repairs requiring specialty tools or skills not common in the collision industry, such as certainmechanical repair
• evolving modern vehicle complexity, including the need for calibration of electronic modules or advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)
• Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) procedures specifying that certain operations must be performed by a certified automotive service technician
• geographic or regional limitations restricting access to specialized equipment or services, or
• reducing customer delays and overall claim cost, such as subletting mechanical repairs to make the vehicle driveable, with collision repairs performed at a later date due to capacity restraints.

Eligibility

In the event that a repair operation is sublet to a third party, and that operation is one that would typically or reasonably be performed in-house by a collision repair facility, ICBC pays for the operation at the applicable Mitchell flat rate time (if any) and ICBC program labour rate, regardless of the amount invoiced by the subcontractor.