Insuring Your Vehicle In Bc

To insure a vehicle in British Columbia, you must purchase ICBC Basic Autoplan insurance, which is mandatory for all drivers in the province. This provides a basic level of coverage to ensure that all drivers are protected. You can also opt for additional coverage offered by ICBC and other private insurers, such as BCAA, for complete protection and peace of mind. When registering a new vehicle, you can work with an on-site Autoplan broker or contact any Autoplan broker to assist you with the paperwork. It is important to note that the type of vehicle you buy can affect your insurance costs, so be sure to research safety features, fuel efficiency, and sticker prices before making a purchase.

ICBC Basic Autoplan insurance is mandatory for all drivers in BC

In British Columbia, all drivers are required by law to have a basic level of car insurance, known as the ICBC Basic Autoplan insurance. This mandatory coverage ensures that all British Columbians who own and drive a motor vehicle in the province are protected with a basic level of insurance.

The ICBC Basic Autoplan insurance provides a range of benefits to drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians involved in a motor vehicle crash, regardless of who is at fault. It covers medical costs, wage loss, and more. For example, if you're injured in a crash, ICBC will provide unlimited medical care and recovery benefits for treatments like physiotherapy, chiropractic, dental care, counselling, and more. It also provides income replacement benefits based on 90% of your net income, up to a maximum of $113,000 gross annual income.

In addition, the Basic Autoplan insurance includes up to $200,000 of Basic Vehicle Damage coverage, which covers repairs when the other driver is responsible. It also includes Third Party Liability coverage of $200,000, which covers injuries or vehicle damage caused by the insured driver. This coverage is especially important if you get into a crash outside of BC, as it also covers damage to another person's property.

While the ICBC Basic Autoplan insurance is mandatory, there are also optional add-ons available, such as Unlisted Driver Protection, Collision coverage, and Extended Third Party Liability coverage. These optional coverages can provide additional protection for yourself, your family, and your vehicle.

To get ICBC Basic Autoplan insurance, you can renew your policy online, by phone, or by visiting a local service location. It's important to note that your vehicle must be rated correctly, and you must provide correct information if you have a claim. Additionally, it's mandatory to have a valid driver's license and to ensure that anyone driving your vehicle also has a valid license.

You can buy additional coverage from ICBC or other private insurers

ICBC's Basic Autoplan insurance is the mandatory coverage you need for a vehicle in British Columbia. It ensures that all British Columbians who own and drive a motor vehicle are protected with a basic level of coverage. This includes up to $200,000 in Third-Party Liability coverage, which protects you from the financial risk of an at-fault crash. However, the costs of a crash can be much higher, and you could be responsible for the difference.

Extended Third-Party Liability Coverage

This optional coverage from ICBC increases your Third-Party Liability limit to $5 million. This gives you additional peace of mind and protects you from having to pay costs that exceed your Basic Autoplan limit.

Unlisted Driver Protection (UDP)

UDP is another optional coverage offered by ICBC. It gives you peace of mind if you want to lend your car to drivers not listed on your policy. As long as no unlisted driver has caused a crash in your car, UDP is free.

Collision Coverage

If you are responsible for a crash, Collision Coverage will pay for the repairs to your vehicle. This is an optional coverage offered by ICBC, and without it, you would be responsible for the repair costs yourself.

Income Top-Up Coverage

If your gross yearly earnings are more than $113,000 per year, you can purchase Income Top-Up Coverage as an add-on to your Enhanced Accident Benefits. This will increase the income replacement benefits provided in the event of a crash-related injury.

Loss of Use Coverage

Loss of Use Coverage is another optional product offered by ICBC to help you stay mobile after making a claim.

Rental Vehicle Coverage

If you rent a vehicle, this optional coverage from ICBC provides valuable protection for you and the rented vehicle.

New Vehicle Protection

ICBC offers three great products to help protect your new vehicle, including similar coverage to Comprehensive insurance but at a lower price.

Optional Insurance Packages

ICBC also offers optional insurance packages that combine some of their most popular products at a discounted price.

In addition to ICBC, you can explore other private insurers in British Columbia to find the best level of protection for your vehicle and situation. It is recommended to compare quotes and coverage options from multiple insurers to get the most suitable and cost-effective plan for your needs.

You need an address in BC to insure your vehicle

To insure a vehicle in British Columbia, you need to provide proof of identification, proof of ownership, and a passed vehicle inspection report from an approved facility.

However, there is one crucial requirement: you need to have a BC address to insure your vehicle. This address can be residential or commercial, but it must be located within British Columbia. This requirement is essential for registering your vehicle in the province and obtaining the necessary insurance.

If you are a new resident of British Columbia, you can use your valid driver's license from another province or country for up to 90 days. Tourists can drive in the province for up to six months with a valid driver's license from outside BC. After these initial periods, you will need to obtain a BC address and register your vehicle locally to maintain driving privileges.

When registering a vehicle in BC, it must be physically present at the ICBC Autoplan broker's office. The broker will need to inspect the vehicle for any damage and confirm the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This process ensures that the vehicle meets the required standards and can be properly registered and insured.

Therefore, if you plan to insure and drive a vehicle in British Columbia, ensuring that you have a valid BC address is a fundamental step in the process.

The type of vehicle you buy can affect your insurance costs

The type of vehicle you buy can significantly impact your insurance costs. Insurance companies assess the cost of insurance based on the likelihood of a claim being made in the future. This means that the higher the risk associated with a vehicle, the more you will pay for insurance.

Several factors related to your vehicle can influence the cost of insurance. Firstly, the age, make, model, and features of your vehicle are important considerations. Older vehicles with high mileage are generally more expensive to insure than newer cars. Additionally, the cost of repairing or replacing your car plays a crucial role in determining insurance rates. If your vehicle has advanced safety features, anti-theft devices, or passive electronic immobilizers, you may be eligible for discounted insurance rates.

Another factor that influences insurance costs is the likelihood of your vehicle being stolen. Insurance companies keep track of car models that are frequently targeted by thieves, and vehicles that are more likely to be stolen typically come with higher insurance rates.

Furthermore, the primary use of your vehicle and the number of kilometres driven daily also impact insurance costs. If you use your car for business or commute to work, your insurance rates will be higher compared to someone who drives occasionally or for leisure purposes.

When purchasing a vehicle in British Columbia, it's essential to consider the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and its Autoplan insurance policies. The ICBC is the sole provider of mandatory third-party liability auto insurance in the province, and they offer a base premium of $1,063 (as of April 2019) for basic insurance. This base premium can increase or decrease depending on various factors, including the vehicle type, leasing status, overnight parking location, primary use, and annual kilometres driven.

By carefully considering the type of vehicle you buy and understanding how insurance rates are calculated in British Columbia, you can make informed decisions to help minimize your insurance costs.

You can get optional extended coverage for your vehicle

In British Columbia, ICBC Basic Autoplan insurance is the mandatory coverage you need for a vehicle. However, you can also get optional extended coverage for your vehicle.

ICBC offers a range of products and coverage to help you find the best level of protection for your vehicle and situation. For example, you can get Unlisted Driver Protection if you want to lend your car to drivers not listed on your policy. You can also get optional coverage that covers repair and replacement costs, even if you're at fault, or if the damage was caused by a hit-and-run driver.

In addition to ICBC, there are also many extension and optional coverages available from private insurance companies. For instance, Westland Insurance's Family Autocover offers private auto coverages that may be a better fit for your needs. This includes additional discounts for providing credit consent, no-deductible windshield chip repairs, emergency roadside service, and increased comprehensive deductible available.

Another option is the ICBC RoadStar program, which offers extension coverages that can beef up your current car insurance policy. This includes RoadStar LOU, RoadStar vehicle travel protection, RoadStar rental vehicle, and RoadStar lock re-keying.

You can also get optional coverage from private insurers such as Optiom, which provides vehicle replacement coverage, and LeGear Pelling Insurance Agencies Ltd., which offers Excess Underinsured Motorist Protection (Excess UMP) and Loss of Use by Theft coverage.

Frequently asked questions