The Town of Qualicum Beach is changing insurance providers to get a better deal with the Municipal Insurance Association of B.C.
Town financial administrator John Marsh told council Monday that while Hub International Insurance has provided the town's insurance services well for 10 years, the MIA is able to offer a better deal by creating risk pools.
He said the municipal market has been volatile but is being stabilized by larger pools, and since Hub is involved with the MIA, the town is actually still dealing with some of the same people.
The MIA, which provides some insurance for 90 per cent of the province's municipalities, will provide the town's property, business interruption, equipment breakdown, crime coverage and coverage for council for an annual premium of $65,690.
That's $3,748 less than Hub's offer and, unlike Hub, includes the cost of property appraisals, which he points out can cost thousands per building and they are overdue for, including the new fire hall.
The town owns 34 insurable properties. Council unanimously voted to accept the MIA proposal.
• The Town of Qualicum Beach is looking for 12 volunteers to help advise on the physical environment, sustainability, parks, recreation and culture. Town council established two new volunteer advisory committees and is looking for six community members to sit on each, to help advise council on relevant matters, or items referred to them by council, for a two-year term.
Each committee will include a councillor, five members of the general public and one youth member. The environment and sustainability committee will look at policies, protection measures, plans, studies and initiatives related to the environment.