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Auto equipment theft claims

An auto equipment theft claim is for permanently attached equipment covered under Comprehensive or Specified Perils insurance, and a deductible applies. Once you report to Dial-a-Claim, you will be directed to c.a.r. shop VALET or an ICBC claim centre where you will meet your adjuster and estimator.

Here you’ll find answers to these questions about auto equipment theft claims.

What's equipment theft and what's covered?

If you purchased ICBC Comprehensive or Specified Perils insurance, you have coverage for your vehicle's permanently attached equipment. If the equipment is not permanently attached, you may not be covered.

What is permanently attached? What is not permanently attached?
Permanently attached means the equipment is fixed to a permanently attached part of the vehicle by:
  • bolts
  • screws
  • cements
  • fluxes, or
  • heat
For attachment or removal, these items would require the use of
  • wrenches
  • screwdrivers
  • drills
  • pliers
  • acetylene torches
  • blowtorches
  • steamers, or
  • solvents.
What is attached equipment? 		ICBC does not consider items to be permanently attached if they are attached only by such easily removed items as:
  • velcro-type fasteners
  • staples
  • zip fasteners
  • locks (other than those requiring keys or combinations)
  • wing nuts
  • wires
  • snap fasteners
  • suction devices
  • hooks
  • magnets
  • buttons
  • pins (other than cotter pins)
  • vice grips
  • clamps, and
  • chains that are permanently attached to the vehicle, or chains that are not permanently attached to the vehicle.

 

What's the process?

Here is the process you can expect to go through for an auto equipment theft claim:

Stage Who... Does what...
1 Customer Reports to local police.
2 Customer Calls Dial-a-Claim.
3 Adjuster Investigates the claim and proof of theft.
4 Estimator Estimates damage at c.a.r shop Valet or ICBC claim.
5 Adjuster Follows up on claim.
6 Customer Once vehicle is repaired, pays deductible to repair shop.

Stage1: Customer reports to your local police

Thefts must be reported to the police. Be sure to note the police file number, if available, before calling Dial-a-Claim.

Stage 2: Customer calls ICBC's Dial-a-Claim

After taking your report, Dial-a-Claim staff will either:

Learn how to make a claim.

You should be ready to provide receipts for what was stolen unless the equipment was installed as Original Manufacturers Equipment (OEM). There is no waiting time to see if the equipment is found. If an estimate is required, you will be provided with an estimate sheet to take to a shop of your choice.

Stage3: Adjuster investigates the claim and proof of theft

To make an equipment theft claim, you must produce proof of the existence and value of non-manufacturer's equipment. Receipts should be kept together with a note of the year, make, model and serial number for the equipment. Photos may also be useful.

Stage 4: Estimator estimates the damage at c.a.r. shop Valet or ICBC claim centre

Once a damage estimate has been completed, you may have your car fixed at the repair shop of your choice. The process will vary depending if you select a c.a.r. shop VALET location or another repair shop. Find out more about repairing your vehicle.

If the equipment is no longer available, you will be provided a payout for the equipment theft. The maximum payable under optional comprehensive coverage for sound and communication equipment is $1,000, and the maximum for other items, such as canopies and custom paint, is $5,000.

Stage 5: Adjuster follows up on the claim

If a police file was opened, you will meet with an adjuster who will follow up on the outcome of the investigation and proceed accordingly.

Stage 6: Customer pays deductible to repair shop

The Comprehensive or Specified Perils deductible applies to auto equipment theft claims. The deductible is the amount you have to pay toward repairs or costs before your insurance kicks in to pay for the rest.

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What happens if your auto equipment is recovered?

Find out what happens if your auto equipment is recovered.

If... Then...
If the auto equipment can be identified (usually by serial number) and ICBC has notified the police that we have paid your claim the police will notify us of recovery.
If we have not yet notified the police they would contact you about the recovery.

Important! Let your adjuster know about the recovery of your auto equipment.

Note: If ICBC isn't notified, you may have to pay back the cost of your claim.

Is original equipment from the manufacturer covered?

Equipment theft includes original equipment from the manufacturer (OEM), with the exception of radar detectors. The OEM can be standard or optional at the time the vehicle is manufactured.

What is attached equipment?

For attached equipment not supplied by or available from the manufacturer, coverage varies. Please check one of the three categories below for a list of attached equipment for your coverage.

Category Description
Rate Group Vehicles These are the most common, including most private passenger and light commercial vehicles. See attached equipment (PDF)
Declared Value Vehicles These are usually vehicles other than private passenger or light commercial vehicles. This group includes motorcycles, trailers and commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 5,000 kg. See attached equipment (PDF)
Motor Home and Custom Vehicles Typically includes leisure vans, limousines, replicars, replikits, specialty cars, etc. See attached equipment (PDF)

Are personal items covered?

No. Personal items, such as a leather jacket, are not covered if stolen from your vehicle.

If you carry ICBC Comprehensive insurance, you are insured for the damage caused during the break-in, but we do not insure your personal effects.

Items such as these may be insured under your homeowner's or tenant’s policy. If so, contact your home insurer.

Is your car alarm covered if it is stolen?

Yes, the ICBC Comprehensive coverage also insures you for the theft or damage to some items that are considered to be an attached equipment of the motor vehicle. A car alarm qualifies under this definition.

What non-attached items are also covered if stolen?

The ICBC Comprehensive coverage also includes certain non-attached items if stolen:

Also, if your anti-theft device prevented a total theft of your vehicle, you may be entitled to the reimbursement of $100 of your deductible.

 

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