A B.C. man says he’s battling ICBC after being left with an undriveable truck while he waits for his steering wheel to be replaced.
Back in February, Darrin Penner says thieves attempted to steal his vehicle, cutting through his anti-theft device, which was attached to the steering wheel of his truck – a 2005 Ford F-350 Harley Davidson Edition.
“I think it’s unfair for ICBC to give me back a vehicle that wasn’t in the same condition prior to the theft attempt,” said Penner.
When he filed his claim, Penner says he didn’t hear back from ICBC for two weeks, until he called again, explaining he was a firefighter and needed his truck to and from work. “Within an hour of making that call, I get a call back from ICBC,” said Penner.
He says ICBC arranged a tow to a nearby body shop, but after a week, he says he was told a replacement steering wheel couldn’t be sourced for his truck.
“Another couple of weeks go by, they’re continuing to look for a steering wheel, I’m looking for a steering wheel, ICBC is looking for a steering wheel with absolutely no luck,” said Penner.
ICBC says the body shop eventually found a replacement steering wheel, which it says was suitable and would get Penner back on the road. However, Penner says it’s not the same steering wheel as the one prior to being damaged and doesn’t match the original interior of his Harley Davidson Edition truck.
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Eventually, Penner says ICBC determined the part was no longer available as it had been discontinued and offered him $800 for the steering wheel- the last known retail price for the part. “They were going to give me the $800 and I was to source out the part myself,” said Penner.
ICBC told Consumer Matters the challenge with Penner’s steering wheel is that it’s an older model truck with a specialized trim.
“We understand the option that was provided, he (Penner) doesn’t find suitable, but our goal here is to get him back in his truck and driving it as soon as possible,” said ICBC spokesperson Greg Harper. “The solution we have provided is providing him with 800 dollars plus tax, the last known retail price for this part and we’ll pay for the shipment and installation of this steering wheel,” Harper added.
ICBC also said it doesn’t source parts. “We work with repair shops that source parts. They are the experts we will assist in that with whatever we can,” said Harper.
However, Penner says he’s rejected ICBC’s solution and says the public insurer won’t deem the vehicle a total loss even though it’s currently undrivable. “I don’t think it’s fair to ask anybody to source out their own parts,” said Penner.
Penner says he plans to take his case to ICBC’S Fair Practices Office, which investigates customer complaints.
“We pay so much in insurance premiums that asking customers to come up with a solution to something that’s not their fault and that we pay insurance for, that’s really unfair,” said Penner.
I may be able to help…I have a black leather steering g wheel from a 2005 f250 HD
itkonenderek@gmail.com
This guy gives a bad name to firefighters. He is a cry baby demanding something that doesn’t exist. A steering wheel was already proposed to him but it doesn’t match the interior of a 2005 truck. Get a life buddy and let ICBC help those who genuinely need help.
“I’m surprised anyone went through that much effort to steal it in the first place.”
Perfect quote from another commenter lol
Knotrofous is a moron. Exactly how can something be returned to its original condition WHEN NO PARTS EXIST FOR IT ANYMORE! Do you know anything about vehicle restoration? Do you ever wonder why cars restored from the 60 and 70s have a mix of original and aftermarket parts? Hmmm maybe cause they stopped making parts for a car that hasn’t existed in decades. There’s 0 demand for trash boomer “special edition” garbage that was like 1-100. They didn’t mass produce trash Harley trucks moron. There are few to no parts left. You and Darren need to grow up and realize you don’t always get what you want and sometimes you gotta settle and deal with it. You can’t keep crying cause you don’t get your way. Grow up
What is the shop supposed to do if there is not one available? Should they wave a magic wand and make one appear?
This guy is an embarrassment to other fireman. 🙄
High maintenance personality forsure 😆
Hi Knotrofous, check his vehicle registration doc to see if it says HD special edition. He’s paying insurance for 20 year old POS truck. Hope you help him find the exact one! How sweet!
Same thing happened to my husband and I.
Since September 2025 we’ve been trying to get our door handle fixed. They refuse to do the work and expect us to do all the heavy lifting. They don’t answer phone calls or return them. We were told to switch our insurance from storage to driving (we did 3 months). The vehicle sat for 3 months while icbc made money. GARBAGE – SCAM.
our vehicle is FINALLY FIXED (this week – April 10). Thats after calling icbc 10-20 times a day for a month.
The fact of the matter is, we insure our vehicles and pay for specific insurance. Yes, he’d like his vehicle back to the way it was, which is why we pay high premiums. Anything less is absurd.
ICBC could offer a higher price, parts do not come cheap these days, and in communist bc/Canada, 800$ wont get you squat!
Hes Canadian what do you expect? This loser needs to get a life. Take one of the offers they have offered and stop being a baby. He acts like that is a special truck. It was a POS 20 years ago and it’s a POS now.
Grow up dude. What a loser. The solutions this company has offered are more then adequate for this truck that’s not worth anything. Get a life loser
Wow! You commentors are pretty heartless.The truck was insured as a special edition…..and should be brought back to it’s original condition….it’s what he paid insurance for! On the other hand…..there are forums and a FB page on the Harley trucks to help source a ‘new’ steering wheel. Did I understand this right…ICBC will get the mismatched one installed to get him on the road…..then also alot him $800 plus shipping and install when he finds one?
what a child. grow up. your 20 year old fart truck doesn’t need a special wheel it needs a grown up behind it.
Had an issue with them last year. My truck was in an accident an I was expected to find a body shop to work on it, took me weeks to find a shop willing to book me, all be it a month out. They ended up writing it off as a loss without even know the extent of the damage because it would’ve taken too long
This guy is ridiculous, he got a steering wheel to get back on the road and still complained. Who cares if its a different color, its a 21 year old truck, go to pick and pull you Muppet
I had same problem with 79 el camino with classic plates. They finally caved and bought exact one from a classic parts place in Michigan USA
Kind of the same thing happened to me for I needed a taxi company to get me to my appointment. The problem is the taxi company in my town does not want to deal with Icbc apparently because they got shafted by them so now I’m stuck to having to sort out my own plan to find ways to get to Physio and all and I am broke, but Icbc says just pay for it and we will reimburse you. I argued to the point where they finally found me a company that direct bills to Icbc but it was a lot of waste of time. Missed appointments and buildup of anger.
Aweeee pookie can’t get his special steewing wheel for his special twuck. They gave 2 perfectly fine solutions, it’s not their fault you’re picky. Sometimes you have to suck it up. Like bro it’s a 21 year old truck. I’m surprised anyone went through that much effort to steal it in the first place.
No wonder people keep getting screwed by insurance companies and corporations in general judging by the quality of this comment section. Yikes!
Bro you don’t need the og Harley steering wheel for your clapped out old Ford. Don’t you have better things to focus on. What a weak story.
Must be Anne Drewa’s brother’s truck or something for her to waste her time on this dumb story.
This is such a non-story. Policy wordings state very clearly what happens with discontinued or otherwise unavailable parts; cash settle for last known price. That information was available before you bought the policy and is the same for pretty much every policy across north America. Shop found a suitable replacement but this guy is carrying on that it’s not an EXACT match, then has the unmitigated gall to demand his truck be written off WHILE claiming “we pay SO MUCH for insurance”!? Dude, it’s an F150, there are a million steering wheels that will fit. You think insurance is high NOW? How high will it be once we start writing off every vehicle that has a discontinued part. Nevermind the environmental impact. You drive an old truck. Knock it off, loser.
The part is no longer available. He refused a replacement part. And refused the money if he absolutely had to buy his own part…… and is complaining that the truck is undrivable if it doesn’t have a HD logo on the steering wheel?
So insurers are responsible for discontinued parts? I think what ICBC offered was reasonable …a similar part or last know price. Why isn’t the customer complaining that Ford doesn’t have the part?
It isn’t their fault the part no longer exists and is extremely rare. They offered retail price +taxe. That is coverage imo
Wow…. Can’t believe this man. Such a whiner. And a total loss? Please study about replacement cost and actual cash value. You seem to know nothing about insurance.
Sounds like buddy is being a bit unreasonable. Take the cash and search the internet for one… body shops can only do so much. If an auto wrecker doesn’t have that truck, they won’t be able to get one.
Wow the audacity of this guy to go to the media .. what a snowflake ..
It driveable with a steering wheel. Not a total loss. Sorry. The offer is fair.
Parts were obsolete for that truck 10 years ago. This person is completely out of line, and I am happy ICBC is doing the right thing here. Even the $800 seems high considering depreciation and he would have been offered other solutions, ie a new Ford wheel, only difference is the logo in the centre of the wheel, and he’s chosen this route…. On a 20 year old pickup, that’s probably worth not a ton more than the $800 for the wheel! Doesn’t seem like he needs it for work THAT badly now, does it?
Oh it doesn’t match his “interior” 🥲poor baby does it not match his purse either
This guy must be related to someone at Global for this to even make the news.
How privileged does this guy think he is.
Just get it fixed if the trucks 20 years old there has to be other maintenance problems which is probably why he want’s ICBC to pay him out.
Re: steering wheel issue
The claimant was offered a replacement that, for whatever reason, he chose to refuse. The part is apparently no longer available so ICBC offered him the last posted price. Does he expect ICBC to magically create the now out of stock steering wheel? In these circumstances, it is the claimant who is being totally unreasonable.
This guy is an entitled POS. He would have ICBC write off his truck because the color of the replacement steering wheel isn’t to his liking?
He seems to have no problem passing on the cost of writing off his vehicle to rest of us who pay premiums.
I see what hes saying. With that trim the steering wheel has more controls on it. I also know what the insurance company is saying as its very hard to find that wheel in good condition. Especially for a decent price like 800 dollars. There’s a few on ebay for around 150 but no telling if buttons work.
What’s this guy whining about? He’s driving a 20 year old gas guzzling POS Ford and he’s bitching about the steering wheel? Gimme a break. Suck it up buttercup!
2005 Ford F-350 Harley Davidson Edition.
Let’s see… Steering wheel.. guessing black leather wrapped with control switches… Yup a quick search and BAM found one in Phoenix AZ 200.00 US. also free shipping, two in Vancouver 285.00
So icbc I’m guessing is looking in the shed…
Since March 1 1974 the people in bc have been forced to use a PCC, yes icbc is a provincial crown Corp owns by the gov if bc… They made 2.1 bill during the pandemic A GOV CASH COW…
THEY NEED TO GO AND OPEN FREE MARKET IN BC SO ICBC HAS COMPETITION…
They sold the head office in North Van for 55.3 mil and the provincial gov bought it… Wait… Icbc owned by the provincial government, sold its head office to the provincial government? Hmmm …. Let that sink in…..
As for the steering wheel tell icbc lawyer up… If you have the policy for the coverage used, icbc is obligated to adhere to its own policy it sold the consumer….
Why is this even news??
To write off a truck because a steering wheel in a specialized trim is not available is insane.
Harley Davidson edition lol who gives a sh1t. This guy is the definition of a redneck clown 🤡 I hope he loses in court
I’m surprised Anne Drewa would assist with this. What about folks that are ACTUALLY getting screwed over by insurance companies? Take your $800 and suitable replacement wheel, get a car upholstery shop to wrap it in the correct leather and stitching for your trim. DONE.
Raced to the comments and I’m glad to read that I’m not alone in thinking this guy should just take the wheel that doesn’t match or take the $800. It’s not a 1965 Ferrari, pal. It doesn’t have to be exact right down to the molecule..
What a greedy POS. I hope he gets absolutely humiliated in court. Harley guys are such princesses.
Took me less than 5 minutes to find a replacement with the correct buttons on carpart.com. he will probably just have to get one reupholstered to match his interior.
ICBC is correct in this case. If it not available it’s not available. Or available to the exact trim. Take the steering wheel that’s offered or the $800 but writing the truck of seems ridiculous.
I have a 2022 F150 with only 22k km—Ford has backordered the parts without any guarantee. It is their Aluminum part factory having multiple fires that has caused issues in production. I fear my truck will not be fixed and ICBC won’t make me whole.
It’s a 20+ year old truck with special trim (not nearly as many made) what does he expect them to do of there are none for sale their are none for sale 🤦♂️ (ps this isn’t a news worthy article)
What a moron, wasting everyone’s time and money. ICBC did its job and sourced a replacement for him, his argument makes him look like a princess, I wonder what he does down at the fire station??
Lmao, obviously they cut through the steering wheel not the “security” device!
It’s a 20+ year old car. “Doesn’t match the aesthetic” give me a break. We don’t owe you anything. Take the $800 to source it or quit whining. Wasting everyone’s time.
So this is why our rates are so
High.
If a part is NLA then a suitable replacement that works is all that is required.
Why should they write of a perfectly good truck for a steering wheel?
A reasonable(?) person would accept the offer given. The situation is unfortunate but it’s only a mode of transportation. I bet he complained about his Harley tatoo after it was done also. Quit complaining about something unfixable..There’s lots of these steering wheels in the scrap yards across the country, where they belong..
eskimomonkey2 is the real victim here!! Everyone send her thoughts and prayers!!!
Slow news day? I can’t beleive someone wasted their time, and our taxdollars since we subsidized rheir wages, on this big fat nothing burger.
This guy wants an inflated price to ditch his stupid HD branded Ford pickup. What a joke. Probably rides a moped.
Why would they write off the entire truck? Slap another steering wheel on and call it a day. Or duct tape the existing wheel.
This is a very common occurrence these days. I sell used ford parts and I’m sure the shops called me but I didn’t hear the correct colour. The wheel could have been re wrapped though. The main reason for the the shortage of used parts is that the new auction system let’s people from all over bid on salvage vehicles. Private buyers, shops, international buyers… Barely any auto wrecking yards that sell to ICBC get these anymore. They’re usually bought by people selling on marketplace out of their driveway or field
Nah fam. Its not ICBCs responsibility to match your decor. Especially for out of production parts. You wanted to be back on the road, they made that happen for you. You want a custom steering wheel then take the money they offered you and find one. Pretty straight forward. Looking forward to the next report that outlines how the courts kicked you to the curb.
Where i live shops won’t/can’t install used parts.
As for a replacement wheel a quick google will show you availability.
$145 online used…took 20 seconds.
This is the kind of nonsense that sends insurance costs though the roof. A standard edition steering wheel will work just fine – a Harley emblem isn’t required to drive.
So you want ICBC to source/make and pay for a custom steering wheel for your truck?