MONTREAL - Motorcyclists should pay a higher license fee for the additional risk they pose, according to the Quebec's Council of Experts on Automobile Insurance Contributions.
In their report issued Friday, Chairman Michel Sanschagrin expressed concern about an upcoming reduction in fees for motorcyclists announced in August by the Quebec's license bureau (SAAQ) for the years 2011-2015.
Sanschagrin said new rules represent a departure from the principle that SAAQ insurance contributions should be, "fair and equitable."
The report objected to the SAAQ's notion of reducing motorcyclists' contributions on the basis that bikers are considered vulnerable. It also objected to a cap on costs for owners of sport bikes.
The committee says that the new reduced fees shift the financial burden onto other motorists.
The Council of Experts is composed of three actuaries and was mandated to advise the SAAQ on changes to auto insurance contributions proposed by the SAAQ in August.
Nine of the committee's 14 recommendations targeted motorcyclists.
