Staying safe this wildfire season

June 09, 2025

With several active wildfires in British Columbia, we’re closely monitoring the wildfire situation throughout the province to help us assist customers and communities as quickly as possible.

We’re sharing important information on emergency preparedness, driving tips, insurance coverage, identification, and claims to help you prepare this wildfire season.

For people who live in areas prone to wildfires, or will be travelling to these areas, it’s important to be prepared.

Make a plan

Pack your essentials into a grab-and-go kit and create an emergency plan for your household in advance. If you need to prepare for a possible evacuation, locate and pack important documents to avoid having to replace them if they get damaged. These documents may include:

Identification such as your B.C. driver’s licence, B.C. identification card, B.C. Services Card, passport, and original copies of your birth certificate, marriage certificate and Canadian citizenship documentation.

A copy of your vehicle registration, licence and Autoplan insurance documents.

Other documents such as a copy of your home insurance policy and banking/financial information – or anything you may not be able to access remotely or online.

If you’ll be travelling to another region of the province, check DriveBC.ca for the latest road conditions and EmergencyInfoBC.ca for information about areas under evacuation alerts and orders. Avoid driving to areas with active wildfires including those with evacuation orders or alerts. If needed, plan alternate routes if the road you need to use is closed.

If there is a wildfire near you, the most important thing you can do is follow all evacuation alerts and orders, and follow instructions from your local authority.

Insurance coverage

In B.C., vehicle damage caused by wildfires is covered by optional insurance coverages – comprehensive or specified perils – which are available from ICBC and other insurers. Most B.C. drivers have optional insurance coverage for wildfires. If you don’t, or if your policy has expired or lapsed, talk to an Autoplan broker before you face the risk of a wildfire.

If you’re placed on evacuation alert or ordered to evacuate, you won’t be able to purchase new comprehensive or specified perils coverage or certain other Optional own damage coverages until the alert or order has been lifted or you have moved your vehicle from the designated evacuation order or alert zone.

If your vehicle is uninsured and you’re placed on evacuation alert or order, you can purchase Basic insurance coverage on a temporary operation permit to move your vehicle to safety. We encourage customers in this situation to contact an Autoplan broker that can assist by phone and email.

For more information about insurance coverage and restrictions in affected areas, please contact an Autoplan broker.

Replacement identification

If a wildfire forces you to evacuate and you lose your B.C. driver’s licence, BC Services Card, or other B.C. identification, we can issue free replacement identification without the need to present additional identification documents (some exceptions may apply).

Visit your nearest ICBC driver licensing office to get replacement identification. You can find up-to-date information on office hours and locations here. If you’re unable to visit a driver licensing office, we’ll try to assist you by phone at 1-800-950-1498. We’re available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Report a claim

If you need to report an auto insurance claim related to wildfire damage, you can do so online or by phone at 1-800-910-4222. Our claims team is available to support you.