Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
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Yes, two of the new optional coverages available are:
Hit and Run covers up to $200,000 of repair costs if your vehicle is hit by an unidentified vehicle in B.C. If your policy includes ICBC's Collision coverage, you're already covered for hit-and-run damage.
Income Top-Up offers additional income replacement coverage to British Columbians who earn more than $119,000 gross income per year, in the event that they're unable to work due to injuries from a crash.
Enhanced Care also brings changes to vehicle damage coverage under Basic insurance. If you're not responsible for a crash in B.C. with another vehicle, your Basic Vehicle Damage covers repair costs and your premiums will not be impacted.
This coverage launches with Enhanced Care and will automatically be included in your insurance.
Yes, if you don't want to drive it right away. However, you should still register the vehicle in your name within 10 days of purchase. You can do that at any Autoplan broker office. Remember to bring the previous owner's signed registration document and a signed Transfer of Ownership form with you.
Keep in mind, if you're planning to park it on a public street (even in a permitted zone), most municipalities require any vehicle parked on the street to have valid licence plates. This means you'll need to purchase insurance for it so check with your municipality to confirm what you need.
Make sure you keep a copy of the signed by the new owner as a record that you've transferred the vehicle.
If there are any licence plates associated with the vehicle please see your Autoplan broker.
Learn more about transferring vehicle ownership.
First, ask the person selling the car to go to an Autoplan broker to replace the missing vehicle registration.
If you're unable to contact the seller, that's OK. As long as the vehicle is registered in B.C., we can do a vehicle records search for you. Please write to:
Driver Testing and Vehicle Information
143 - 151 West Esplanade
North Vancouver, BC V7M 3H9
Explain that you need to identify the last registered owner. Sign the letter and include:
a photocopy of your proof of purchase. For example a bill of sale, a completed (this is a sample only) or a notarized statutory declaration. Transfer tax forms are available at any Autoplan broker.
a $7 cheque payable to ICBC.
If you don't have one of the above proof of purchase documents, you need to send a completed . Note that this must be filled out before a notary public or a commissioner for taking affidavits in B.C.
For more information, please call 604-661-2233 or 1-800-464-5050 (toll-free number).
Learn more about the steps to buying a used vehicle and registering a vehicle in B.C.
You both do. And the easiest way to complete your sale is to go to your Autoplan broker together with the buyer and handle all of the paperwork in the broker's office. Don't forget to bring your plates!
Learn more about the steps of selling your vehicle.
Good news: as long as the vehicle you're importing meets safety standards and federal importing rules, and was not damaged in a flood or designated as a parts only vehicle, you can register it here.
You may want to check with the Registrar of Imported Vehicles for what to keep in mind when importing a vehicle from the U.S. You can get a safety inspection done at any designated inspection facility in B.C. Remember—you'll need a special permit and insurance to bring the vehicle here. For details, please talk to your Autoplan broker.
Also, see: Importing a vehicle into B.C.
No, but please be sure to include the correct fuel code (in this case, P or N) on the vehicle description section of the . You can or pick up a copy from any Autoplan broker. The fuel codes are found on the back of the form.
A vehicle with an after-market fuel conversion must be registered as modified, unless:
The fuel conversion was installed by a B.C.-licensed installer
A B.C.-licensed installer issued a BC Safety Authority Installation Certificate, and
The vehicle did not undergo any other modifications (such as changes to suspension height or chassis) that would classify the vehicle as modified.
See more information on Modified vehicles.
Yes. Check out the BC SCRAP-IT® Program. SCRAP-IT provides incentives to replace higher polluting vehicles with cleaner forms of transportation.
If you retire your 2000 (model year) or older vehicle, you can choose from incentives such as transit passes, bicycles, car sharing memberships, new or used cars, or $200 cash. If you buy a replacement vehicle, remember to update your insurance so that it's still valid.
This means that a claim was reported for the vehicle, but we don't have any record of payment for its repair or replacement at the time you got the report. This could mean that the owner chose to not repair the vehicle, has repaired it privately, or ICBC has not yet paid for the repairs.
The crash will go on your driving record, not your friend's, and it may impact your own insurance premiums the next time you purchase or renew insurance. It also may impact any policies where you are a listed driver.
Find out more about how crashes impact your insurance premiums.
When you buy insurance, you choose a deductible, which is the amount you must pay before your insurance pays for repairs. Having deductibles is standard in the insurance industry - they help keep insurance affordable.
If the other driver is at fault, your deductible may be reimbursed or waived.
By law, every motorist in B.C. has to report a crash within a reasonable amount of time.
Your claims representative will attempt to contact the other driver and ask them to report the crash. If the other driver fails to do so, ICBC will assess responsibility based on the information available.
Report to your private insurance company if there was no other vehicle involved.
You’ll need to report to ICBC as well if:
there were any injuries,
another vehicle was involved, and/or
there was damage to another property.
It may take longer to resolve your claim as an ICBC claims representative will need to contact the claims representative from the other insurance company.
For customers with Roadside Plus coverage, we can reimburse up to $50 toward expenses due to roadside emergencies such as:
towing your vehicle to a repair shop after a breakdown
retrieving keys locked in your car
changing a flat tire
jump-starting a battery
Report your emergency roadside expense claim online or fill in our and send it to:
ICBC Emergency Roadside Expense
405 - 10470 152nd Street
Surrey, BC V3R 0Y4
You'll need to make this claim within 12 months of incurring the expense.
If your vehicle is already at the repair shop, talk to the shop about arranging for a rental vehicle. Some repair shops may offer courtesy vehicles instead.
If you have Loss of Use coverage, either on its own or as part of the RoadStar or RoadSide Plus package, you may be entitled to a rental vehicle while it is being repaired. There are maximum per-day and total limits.
Find out more about rentals and transportation options while your car is being repaired.
If you were working at the time of the crash, you’ll need to report your injury to WorkSafeBC right away, as you may be entitled to coverage as a worker involved in an accident.
While you wait for a decision from WorkSafeBC, please contact your recovery specialist if you have any questions.
We can speak with you in your language about your claim through free, over-the-phone interpretation services in 170 languages. Simply contact us by phone and within a few minutes we can connect you with an interpreter to help communicate in your language. We also have dedicated language claims lines in Chinese and Punjabi.
If you’re hearing impaired and need an interpreter, please contact your claims representative.
Learn more about our language services.
ICBC would determine if you were responsible for contributing to a passenger's injuries using precedent and case laws, considering:
the circumstances of the crash,
the age and competence of the passenger(s) and
whether you’ve made sure they wore seatbelts.
Learn more about seatbelt laws in B.C.
Yes, in the event of a crash dashboard cameras can be very helpful in resolving fault accurately and fairly. However, we discourage the use of any electronic devices while driving because there is always the potential for it to be a distraction.
ICBC needs to receive notices as soon as possible. The fastest way is to email [email protected] (attach the notice as a scan or picture). Alternatively, you can take the notice to your local Claim Centre or mail it to
ICBC
c/o Manager, NOCC Handling Department
#550 - 3777 Kingsway
Burnaby, B.C.
V5H 3Z7
For next steps, please contact your claim representative.
No. When you sell a collector or modified collector car, the new owner must make a new application for collector status and plates.
See collector vehicles for more information.
You may only transfer the plates onto another collector status vehicle that is registered in your name within certain time frames. Please check with your Autoplan broker for details.
Yes, however if you are the sole registered owner of a collector vehicle and want to change to joint ownership later, you must reapply for your collector status and pay the applicable transfer fees. The best time to arrange for joint ownership is when you first apply for your collector vehicle status.
See collector vehicles for more information.
If your antique vehicle has active collector plates, vintage plates may also be displayed—but only if there isn't a vintage policy (APV44) in place. Your collector plates must be mounted in the primary licence plate location.
Only if you have a collector multi-vehicle plate and you own several collector vehicles, but drive only one vehicle at a time.
To qualify for a collector multi-vehicle licence plate, you must be the registered owner or one of the registered owners of the cars and they must all:
be registered in B.C.
be pre-approved by ICBC to share the collector vehicle plate
have collector status, and
be either all cars and trucks or all motorcycles.
Find out more about collector vehicles.
Yes, in some cases you can register the vehicle while it’s undergoing restoration, before it’s ready for a safety inspection.
Discuss your options with your Autoplan broker today.
If you are travelling but your vehicle is still in B.C., call your Autoplan broker to renew your insurance. Or, if you are eligible, you may be able to renew your insurance online (you must be within Canada or the United States).
If you are outside of B.C. with your vehicle, call 1-800-328-4484 (toll-free) or 604-661-6956 (lower mainland) Monday to Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
No, unfortunately, you can't get a refund for any years remaining on your B.C. driver's licence. Driver licensing fees contribute to the cost of the card and to road safety programs. It helps keep our road safe for everyone.
You may contact RoadSafetyBC at 1-855-387-7747 and advise them of your concerns. Learn more about driver re-exam road tests and tips for senior drivers.
As a temporary foreign worker in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program, you may drive for up to 12 months on a valid licence from your home country.
If you’re staying longer than 12 months and want to continue driving, you’ll need to get a B.C. driver’s licence. For more information, please contact us.
To drive for a ridehailing service, you need a minimum of a Class 4 (restricted) B.C. commercial driver’s licence.
To make food deliveries, your vehicle may need to be rated in a delivery rate class, depending on what else you use the vehicle for and how often you use the vehicle for delivery. Talk to your Autoplan broker to make sure you have the right coverage.
For peer-to-peer rentals, how you are insured will depend on whether the peer-to-peer company has ICBC blanket insurance or not. Enquire with the company directly.
Yes, you'll have to repeat both the knowledge test and motorcycle skills test. Learn more about getting a motorcycle licence.
If you're in B.C., find the nearest Autoplan broker to have the documents replaced. You can also use the online renewal system to view and print insurance documents for any active policy.
If you're outside B.C., you'll need to call us:
1-800-328-4484 (Canada and the U.S.)
1-604-661-6956 (Other countries)
You don’t need to own a vehicle to start building an insurance discount. Insurance premiums are based on a combination of factors, including driving experience, crash history, where you live and how you use your car, as these are all factors that make up your risk. Find out more about what determines your cost of insurance.
If you are travelling but your vehicle is still in B.C., call your Autoplan broker to renew your insurance. Or, if you are eligible, you may be able to renew your insurance online (you must be within Canada or the United States).
If you are outside of B.C. with your vehicle, call 1-800-328-4484 (toll-free) or 604-661-6956 (lower mainland) Monday to Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
No, we're not able to temporarily suspend your current insurance. However, a few options may be available to meet your changing needs. Speak to your Autoplan broker about:
buying a Storage Policy if you're not using your vehicle or intend to put it in storage,
reducing your coverage to a minimum, or
getting a short-term policy lasting between three and 11 months.
If you cancel your policy before it expires, you can be eligible for a refund. Find out more about cancelling your insurance.
To drive for a ridehailing service, you need a minimum of a Class 4 (restricted) B.C. commercial driver’s licence.
To make food deliveries, your vehicle may need to be rated in a delivery rate class, depending on what else you use the vehicle for and how often you use the vehicle for delivery. Talk to your Autoplan broker to make sure you have the right coverage.
For peer-to-peer rentals, how you are insured will depend on whether the peer-to-peer company has ICBC blanket insurance or not. Enquire with the company directly.
You’ll be asked to list those who regularly drive your car, such as household members or employees. Find out more about listing drivers. If a family member is not listed on your policy and causes a crash in your car, you could face a one-time penalty. Listing drivers prevents this risk.
Having Unlisted Driver Protection on your policy can also give you peace of mind if you want the flexibility to occasionally lend your car to drivers not listed on your policy
No. Any time you cancel your insurance, you have to return the plates, including personalized ones, to your Autoplan broker. If your insurance simply expires, you don't need to return the plates.
You retain the rights to your slogan for 12 months from the expiry date of the policy or from the time of cancellation. After more than one year, you'll have to pay another $100 application fee to renew the slogan.
We never issue rebates or refunds by text message or send e-transfer notifications via text message.
If you receive a text message or an e-transfer notification by text, this is a scam. Please do not click on any links within these messages and delete any you receive.
We take fraud very seriously because it impacts all British Columbians. Learn more about our commitment to fighting fraud, including how you can report any suspected fraud.
If you believe that a ticket appearing on your driving record belongs to someone else, you can have it reviewed. Call ICBC Driver Licensing at 604-982-2250 in the Lower Mainland or toll-free at 1-800-950-1498 in B.C., Canada or the United States.
If you have an immediate roadside prohibition, an administrative driving prohibition or an unlicensed driver prohibition, you may be able to apply online for a driving prohibition review. You can also apply in person at an ICBC driver licensing office, including Service BC centres and driver licensing agents.
Depending on the prohibition, you have 7 days from the day you received it to apply and pay for a review.
One-year and three-year suspensions cannot be reduced or appealed. An indefinite licence suspension may be reduced if you meet certain requirements and the suspension has been in place for at least five years.
If you’ve lost your ticket, call ICBC Driver Licensing at 604-982-2250 in the Lower Mainland or toll-free at 1-800-950-1498 in B.C., Canada or the United States.
If your ticket is in our system, we’ll provide you with the information you need.
If we can’t find the ticket, you’ll have to contact the authority that issued it, such as local police.
No. In some circumstances, you may be able to surrender your licence to reduce your Driver Penalty Point premium.
Yes, you can transfer a vehicle to your ex-spouse without paying PST if:
The transfer is due to a termination of a legal marriage or common-law relationship (where the individuals have been living with each other in a marriage-like relationship for two years or more)
The transfer is from one partner to the other, or from joint ownership to single ownership
The dissolution of the relationship is supported by a formal separation agreement or court order.
You will need to provide documentation such as a written separation agreement, marriage agreement, agreement dividing property under the Family Law Act, or a court order. Please talk to your Autoplan broker for more details.
Call 1-800-910-4222 before authorizing any repairs outside the province. Find out if your car can be repaired where you are or whether it will need to be brought back to B.C.
Some repair shops outside B.C. may not direct bill ICBC. You might have to pay for the repairs first and request reimbursement.
Make sure you keep a copy of the repair shop's bill and supporting invoices for parts and materials for your reimbursement request.
If only one piece of glass is damaged and there is no other vehicle damage, you can bring your vehicle to an ICBC Glass Repair Program facility. If there are no Glass Repair Program facilities in your area, please call us to report your claim.
Our Comprehensive coverage covers damage caused by falling or flying objects. Speak to your Autoplan broker to find out if you’re covered. Learn more about glass and windshield claims.
Under the Enhanced Care insurance model, there is no compensation for pain and suffering, unlike the previous legal-based system. However, since May 1, 2021, anyone living in British Columbia who is injured in a crash is eligible to receive Enhanced Accident Benefits to help them recover. These benefits may include compensation for lost wages, compensation for medical and rehabilitation treatments, and in some cases, compensation due to a permanent impairment, among other benefits.
In rare cases where an exception applies and the injuries meet the definition of a Minor Injury, the maximum compensation for pain and suffering, determined by the accident date is:
Accident date | Minor injury limit (exceptions only) |
|---|---|
April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 | $6,595 |
April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 |
Enhanced Care is a care-based auto insurance model that launched on May 1, 2021 for everyone living in B.C. Under Enhanced Care, any B.C. resident who is injured in a crash is entitled to care and recovery benefits, no matter who is responsible. This includes drivers, motorcycle riders, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists. Learn more about Enhanced Care.
$6,428
April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 | $6,181 |
April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 | $5,831 |
April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 | $5,672 |
April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 | $5,627 |
April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 | $5,500 |
