Photo: CTV

The organization that represents B.C. auto repair shops denies its members are overbilling ICBC.

Allegations the practice is contributing to the insurer's financial troubles are untrue, says the Automotive Retailers Association.

The denial comes in response to a claim from MoveUP, the union that represents ICBC estimators. It blames the express repair system introduced in 2001 for soaring costs.

The express system allows shops to write their own estimates and begin work if they do not hear back from ICBC immediately.

"Over-inflation of the bills is something estimators see frequently," MoveUP vice-president Annette Toth told CTV.

Toth says it's important that estimates be verified, but ICBC has only half as many estimators as as when the program was put in place.

"The body shops can be more accountable, and one of the ways that can happen is to have more estimators available," Toth said.

The autobody industry calls the claim a political ploy for more union jobs.

"Canada-wide it's the same. It's set from the manufacturer," said Rick Hatswell, COO of Craftsman Collision in North Vancouver. "In our experience there is no overbilling."

The NDP has ordered an audit of the system.

– with files from CTV Vancouver