If you paid by credit card, your insurance will be refunded to the same card. Payments made by cash or cheque will be refunded by cheque.

When you are on a monthly payment plan for your insurance, you are actually financing your premium over a six- or 12-month term through an in-house payment plan with ICBC.

If the insurance is cancelled partway through the policy term, the refund will first be applied to any outstanding debt under the payment plan. As well, some fees may apply that are not refundable. If there is any amount remaining, ICBC will mail you a refund cheque.

For more information, please contact your Autoplan broker.

If you are on a monthly payment plan, you are paying for the cost of your insurance for the month ahead. You can also pay quarterly, semi-annually and annually.

If you cancel your policy one business day before your payment's due date, your regular monthly payment will not be taken. However, if the policy is cancelled the same day as the payment is due, payment will be withdrawn and balance owing will reflect the payment.

Talk to your Autoplan broker for more details on these fees.

If you are on a monthly payment plan, you are paying for the cost of your insurance for the month ahead. You can also pay quarterly, semi-annually and annually.

There are non-refundable financing fees that are not refunded upon cancellation. These fees are spread out over the term of the insurance policy. There may be a cancellation fee, as well as transfer-of-ownership fees for a new plate not fully paid for at the time the cancellation is processed.

If you made the full payment for your coverage up front, in rare situations we may have deducted some fees that apply to your policy before we gave you a refund.

Talk to your Autoplan broker for more details on these fees.

Yes. Cancel your insurance and return the licence plates to get your refund for the unused portion of your insurance premiums and licence fees.

There are financing fees that are not refunded upon cancellation. These fees are spread out over the term of the insurance policy. There may be a cancellation fee, as well as transfer-of-ownership fees for a new plate not fully paid for at the time the cancellation is processed.

Minimum Retained Premiums apply to some coverages such as the RoadStar package and the RoadSidePlus package. As a result, depending on the timing of cancellation, there may be little or no refund or even an amount owing.

Talk to your Autoplan broker for more details on these fees.

Cancel your insurance at any Autoplan broker. When you visit, remember to bring:

• Your insurance policy
• Your licence plates

Depending on the reason for the cancellation, you may have to pay a cancellation fee.

You may also be due a refund. We will mail a cheque to you soon after you cancel. If you paid by credit card, we will refund it directly. If a refund is due, we will, subject to terms and conditions, pay the refund to the original credit card automatically.

Any debts to ICBC will be deducted from your refund.

Outside B.C.? You must write to us to cancel your insurance. Read what you must include in this letter.

Generally, only registered owner(s) can request to have their insurance policy and licence plates cancelled.

To do so, the registered owner(s) must go in person with the licence plates and Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence to an Autoplan broker's office to sign a cancellation form.

Note: Different rules apply if the owner is deceased or if a Power of Attorney (POA) has been assigned. Talk to your Autoplan broker for more details on cancelling a policy.

Unfortunately, no. Your B.C. licence plates prove you have Autoplan insurance. You must return them in order to cancel your insurance.

License plates remain the property of ICBC. You are not permitted to keep your B.C. licence plates, except in certain situations, such as 2010 Winter Games plates cancelled after Dec. 31, 2010. You can keep the front Winter Games plate only, the one without the decal.

You can get up to 43 per cent off your Basic Autoplan premium if you are a RoadStar.

To be a RoadStar, you must be at level -9 on the Claim-Rated Scale. This means you must have gone the equivalent of nine years without making a claim on your insurance.

You could also be eligible for further savings, such as additional savings on Optional coverage starting at level -4. See if you qualify: How can I save money?

Possibly. If you can show that you have had insurance and been claim-free for one year or more, you could get a discount.

Discover if you qualify and how to apply: Moving to B.C.

Yes. If you have a recognized disability and you own or lease a vehicle, you may be eligible for a 25 per cent discount on Basic Autoplan.

Discover if you qualify and how to apply: Disability Discount.

If you are over 65, you may also be eligible for the Senior’s rate.

Yes. If you are 65 or over and only drive for pleasure, you can get 25 per cent discount off your Basic Autoplan.

Discover if you qualify and how to apply: Senior’s rate.

Yes. You must have a passive electronic immobilizer as well as Comprehensive or Specified Perils coverage.

The immobilizer can be added by the manufacturer or installed by you.

Discover how to apply: Anti-theft Device Discount.

All vehicles operating on a highway in B.C. must have Basic Autoplan offered by ICBC. Basic Autoplan is only sold by an Autoplan broker. You can then choose to buy additional coverage.

There are more than 900 Autoplan brokers in B.C. Search for the broker nearest you.

The Claim-Rated Scale is the tool ICBC uses to apportion premium based on risk (the likelihood of a given policy having a claim in the coming term). Drivers move down the scale for each year they avoid claims and up the scale for each at-fault claim. Drivers above zero on the Claim-Rated Scale pay a surcharge, while drivers below zero receive a discount.

Receiving a discount

For each year that you do not make an at-fault crash claim, you will move down the Claim-Rated Scale. Once you are at level -1 you’ll start to receive a five per cent discount on your Basic insurance premium. Every claim-free year after this will increase the discount by five per cent until you reach 43 per cent, the maximum Basic insurance discount. Optional savings can go higher.

Paying a surcharge

For each claim that you make you will move up the Claim-Rated Scale. Once you are at level +1 you will start to pay a 10 per cent surcharge on your premium. Every claim from here will increase this surcharge.

Had an at-fault claim? Discover your new position on the Claim-Rated Scale.

Basic and Optional Autoplan insurance are bought directly from an Autoplan broker. Before buying your coverage, you must pay outstanding debts to ICBC and to the Province, and (if you live in the Lower Mainland) your vehicle may also require an AirCare emissions test.

How to buy Autoplan.

Collision coverage insures damage to your vehicle, including damage caused by impact with a vehicle, person, object or the surface of the road.

Comprehensive coverage insures you for other ways your vehicle could be damaged, including theft, vandalism, fire, or a rock hitting your windshield.

See all our Optional Autoplan coverages.

The deductible you choose will affect the cost of your premium. The lower the deductible, the more expensive your premium will be. Your choice depends on the following:

• Can you afford to pay a high deductible if there is a claim?
• Can you afford to pay the premium for a lower deductible?

Consider this when you choose a deductible: New drivers are more likely to crash or cause damage to their vehicle, whereas more experienced drivers are less likely to claim.

Safe drivers with a good driving record receive discounts on their Autoplan premium. Go for nine or more years without making a claim and you could receive a 43 per cent discount on your Basic premium.

Discover all the ways to save on your premium.

Yes — but you cannot drive the car.

When you go to the Autoplan broker to buy your coverage, you must take required ID.

If you are under 18, you need your parent or legal guardian to sign the registration form.

Unfortunately, no. When you buy insurance you must provide accurate information (e.g., principal operator, vehicle use) or else your coverage could be invalid if you have a claim.

If your situation changes (e.g., your teen starts driving), you must update your policy to identify the correct principle operator.

There are other ways you can reduce the cost of your premium. See How can I save money?

See your Autoplan broker for details.

The best insurance for you is Vehicle in Storage coverage.

Remember that if you drive at any time — even just round the block — the vehicle needs to be properly licensed and insured. At a minimum, you must have Third Party Liability coverage. Collision, Comprehensive, and/or Specified Perils are also recommended.

Coverage for Vehicles in Storage applies only while the vehicle is in storage and is void if the vehicle is operated at any time during the policy either on or off a highway.

Yes. You can buy a Temporary Operation Permit and insure your vehicle for up to 15 days.

Buy a permit directly from your Autoplan broker.

You can also buy short term policies for different lengths. See Choosing a policy length.

No. You can buy your Autoplan insurance for any length of time between three months and one year.

You can also buy a Temporary Operation Permit and insure your vehicle for up to 15 days.

Choose the best policy length for you and buy directly from an Autoplan broker.

Possibly. The cost to insure a motorcycle depends on a number of factors, including its engine size (cc's). Therefore, a powerful motorcycle might be more expensive to insure than a car.

Your Autoplan broker will be able to guide you on your most affordable options.

Yes, if you have the permission of the estate executrix/executor.

You may need to update the policy. See your Autoplan broker for details.

Read more to make changes to your insurance.

You can transfer ownership at your Autoplan broker. When you transfer, you must bring a number of documents with you. See which ones apply to you on the Checklist for Estate Transfers (PDF).

If there is not enough money in your account when the time comes for your monthly payment, we will give you three to five days before we attempt to withdraw the money again. If there still is not enough, we ask you to pay at an Autoplan broker; we will call or write to let you know if this happens.

There is an $18 charge for a missed payment, and there might also be charges from your bank. When your next payment is due, if we have not heard from you, we will attempt to withdraw the missed and the current payment.

After this point, we will close your monthly payment account, and your insurance will no longer be valid. It is important to avoid this, because driving without insurance is illegal and the fines involved are hefty.  

If a quarterly payment is late, we will make a second attempt to withdraw your fee 30 days after it was originally due.

Make a late payment at any Autoplan broker.

Unfortunately, no. Only the registered owner of the vehicle can apply for the monthly payment plan. If you lease a vehicle, you must be the named lessee.

Find out more about monthly payments.

Unfortunately, no. If you have lost your renewal reminder and it is time to renew, bring your current insurance documents to your Autoplan broker. Your details will be on file, and you can renew as normal.

Possibly. You can authorize someone else to renew your insurance at the Autoplan broker. However, lessees have no authority to authorize someone else to renew on their behalf. Only the lessor may grant signing authority. First, you must:

• Sign the back of the insurance renewal reminder or,
• Write a letter, certified by a notary public or a lawyer, that specifically grants power of attorney, or signing authority, to someone else to renew the policy.

Then, the authorized person can renew your insurance as normal.

Unless the power of attorney is granted, another person cannot renew the registered owner's insurance policy when:

• The policy is paid with an ICBC monthly payment plan.
• The policy’s coverage is being reduced.

If you would like a copy of your claim history, please call:

• Lower Mainland: 604-661-2800
• Elsewhere: 1-800-663-3051

We will mail your claims history letter; please have your details (name, B.C. driver's licence, licence plate number) ready when you call.

If you are the principal operator of more than one vehicle, your claim record will show them all. Please have the plate or policy number(s) for all these vehicles ready.

If your address has changed, you must update both your insurance policy and your driver’s licence.

Unfortunately, they need to be updated separately. Please remember to do both. For insurance purposes, your address change must be reported immediately; however, you have 10 days to report the change under your driver’s licence.

Changing the address on your insurance policy:

This must occur immediately. It is a requirement of ICBC Optional coverage. You must ensure the location address is correctly declared. To change the address on your insurance policy, you must visit an Autoplan broker.

Your insurance could be invalid if you don’t update your address.

Leaving B.C.? Follow the steps to updating or buying new insurance.

Find out how to update the address on your driver’s licence.

Your Autoplan insurance is valid everywhere in Canada and the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Unfortunately, it is not valid in Mexico.

Yes. You are covered on B.C. public roads and highways even if you cannot identify the car that hit you.

Possibly. Coverage for stereo theft can vary depending on your vehicle and the type of policy you've purchased. In order to ensure that you have the right coverage, talk to your Autoplan broker.

Excess Special Equipment Endorsement

Specified Perils coverage is similar to Comprehensive coverage but is limited to a specific list of perils. Protect your vehicle against risks from weather, theft, fire and more.

For example, Specified Perils does not cover you for vandalism or windshield damage. If you want to insure these risks, it is better to buy Comprehensive coverage.

Yes. Your Autoplan premium is affected by the way you use your vehicle. ICBC’s categories for different vehicle uses are called “rate classes". It is important that you discuss the correct rate class with your Autoplan broker because being in the wrong rate class may jeopardize your coverage.

Yes. Your Autoplan premium is affected by the way you use your vehicle. ICBC’s categories for different vehicle uses are called “rate classes”. It is important that you discuss the correct rate class with your Autoplan broker because being in the wrong rate class may jeopardize your coverage.

Possibly. The vehicle must be correctly rated according to its use. If it is currently rated in an experienced rate class (all drivers in household with at least 10 years' driving experience), then the rate class will need to be changed. This is because the teen who is planning to operate the vehicle does not have the required 10 years experience, if the teen is a member of your household.

See Insuring your teen for all you need to know.

No. Your insurance will cost more if you cause a crash and make a claim on your insurance.

Instead, you may need to pay a Driver Penalty Point Premium.

The Driver Penalty Points Premium is what you pay if you have collected any Driver Penalty Points. The amount you pay depends on how many points you have. Though these points stay on your record for five years, you will only pay the premium once.

It is not related to your insurance and will not make you move up the Claim-Rated Scale.

You only move up the scale when you make a claim on your insurance.

See the Driver Penalty Points Premium chart to find out how much you might pay.