Here are some common questions youth have when insuring their vehicle for the first time. Make sure you check out Autoplan insurance for more in-depth information including definitions. If you still have questions about insuring your vehicle after looking through this section, make sure you ask your Autoplan broker. They're there to help you understand the process and get you the best product for your needs.
What's the difference between "Collision" and "Comprehensive" coverage?
Both are types of Autoplan Optional coverage. Collision insurance covers damage to your car due to an impact with another vehicle, person, object or the surface of the road. Comprehensive insures against damage such as theft, vandalism, fire, or a rock hitting your windshield.
What deductible should I choose?
Think about how much you can afford if you crash your car. Even minor car repairs can be expensive. Are you comfortable paying, say, a $500 deductible to repair your car if you rear-end someone in traffic or hit a post backing up? Or perhaps a high deductible will make you extra cautious?
What's the best way to reduce the cost of my car insurance?
Keep a good driving record. If you go 8 years without ICBC making any payouts on your behalf,
you can reduce the cost of your Basic insurance by 40%. For Optional insurance, discounts
increase with each additional claim-free year.
I just bought a car but I don't have my driver's licence yet. Can I register, license and insure the car anyway?
Yes. Just be sure to have two pieces of identification with you when you go to your Autoplan broker's office. At least one of these should be a photo ID such as a passport or a BC identification card.
And remember, you need your parent or legal guardian's signature on the registration form if you're under 18.
Can my mother – who has her 40% safe driving discount – get the insurance for my new car in her name, so the insurance will be cheaper?
No, 'fraid not. The car must be insured in the name of the person to whom it is registered. This person is usually the "principal operator." If you were to list your mother as principal operator to get cheaper insurance, you run the risk of not being covered if you have a crash or your car is stolen. However, if your mother lets you begin to drive the family car (registered in her name), and you find, over time, that you're using it the majority of time, the change in principal operator will need to be reported to ICBC at your next renewal.
ICBC bases its insurance premiums on a number of factors, including the discount level you have earned based on your years of safe driving. Inexperienced drivers and those with claims are not eligible for the same discounts as long-term claims-free customers. By correctly identifiying principal operator each time you renew, ICBC can ensure a more accurate risk-based rating for the policy.
I have a car that I'm working on in my garage, but it's not driveable yet. What insurance do I need to protect it?
You can buy storage coverage. This protects against things like fire, theft, vandalism, etc. You can choose from a range of deductibles, similar to other types of Autoplan optional insurance.
You may also want to buy liability Basic insurance to protect yourself in case you or a friend is injured while working on your car.
And if you're planning to drive the car, even just around the block, it must be properly licensed and insured (see next question).
I'm fixing up an old car, and want to take it out for a few days to test it on the road. Can I buy temporary insurance for it?
Yes – you can buy a Temporary Operation Permit for up to 15 days. It's like temporary insurance and a licence plate combined into one.
Do I have to buy insurance for a whole year?
No. You can buy your Autoplan insurance for any term between 3 months and a year. For any period less than 3 months, you can buy a Temporary Operation Permit for up to 15 days at a time.
Can my father finance my insurance under ICBC’s payment plan?
No, only the registered owner of the vehicle (or lessee for leased vehicle) can apply for the payment plan.
I'm considering buying a motorcycle. Will the insurance be cheaper than a car?
The cost to insure a motorcycle depends in part on its size. Generally, the larger the bike, the more expensive it is to insure. For more information, it's best to talk to your Autoplan broker.
Am I covered by insurance if I travel to Alberta or Oregon? What about Mexico?
Your Autoplan insurance is valid everywhere in Canada and the US. It is not valid in Mexico.
Will I be covered if I'm hit by a hit and run driver?
Yes, you are covered in British Columbia on a public road or highway even if you can not identify the car that hit you.
I have a really cool stereo system in my car. If it's stolen will I be covered?
That depends. If you have Comprehensive or Specified Perils coverage (part of the Optional Autoplan package), if the equipment was originally installed by the vehicle manufacturer, then you are covered. Autoplan will reimburse you for the value, less depreciation, of your equipment.
If you have permanently attached after-market sound and communication equipment, it's also covered to a total of $1000 under your Comprehensive or Specified Perils coverage. If the after-market value exceeds $1000, an additional premium will be required, talk to your broker. And remember – if your stereo does get stolen, the ICBC Claims office will probably ask you for proof of purchase. So when you buy your stereo, keep those receipts!
I've heard about Specified Perils coverage. What is this, and how is it different from Comprehensive coverage?
Specified Perils is like a "subset" of Comprehensive coverage. Both are choices in the Optional Autoplan package. However, there's an important difference. Specified Perils primarily covers you for fire and theft damage only. It does not pay for vandalism or windshield damage.
Although Specified Perils coverage can be less expensive than full Comprehensive coverage, most people choose Comprehensive for the vandalism and glass coverage.
I drive my mom's car to and from school almost everyday. Does it need special insurance?
Yes. If it's currently rated as "pleasure only," for example, you should discuss it with your Autoplan broker. Driving to and from school everyday will require a different usage rating. Without the proper rating, your mother runs the risk of not being covered by her insurance if you crash while driving her car.
It's best to talk to your Autoplan broker about any change in the use of the vehicle.
I just got a job delivering pizza at night, using my own car. Will this affect my insurance?
Yes, definitely. There's a special insurance rating category for this. If you crash, you might find you are in breach of your insurance if your rating is incorrect. Your Autoplan broker can help ensure your car is rated correctly.
My Mom lets me drive her car a lot. If I loan it to my friend, is he covered by the insurance my Mom has on her car?
Maybe not. There's something called "consent". If your friend crashes, and the car's registered in your Mom's name, she could say that she didn't give "consent" to your friend to drive her car. Hence, your friend will not be covered by insurance.
I just got my driver's license, and my Mom's going to let me drive her car sometimes. Does her insurance need to be changed?
She may or may not have to change her insurance depending on how your mom's vehicle is rated. Your mom should talk to her Autoplan broker to ensure that her vehicle is properly rated prior to allowing you to use her vehicle.
What if I get a speeding ticket? Will my insurance cost me more?
No. Your insurance will cost more if you caused a crash and ICBC has to pay out on your behalf.
What is the Driver Penalty Point Premium? Is it related to my insurance? If I get points will I move up the Claim-Rated Scale?
The Driver Penalty Point Premium (DPPP) is a premium you may pay – in addition to a fine – if you violate BC's rules of the roads – speeding, unsafe lane changes, anything that you might get ticketed for. It is not related to your vehicle insurance, and has no effect on the cost of your vehicle insurance. The DPPP is based on points which are given for traffic violations and for some convictions under the Criminal Code (such as driving while impaired). See Fines and Penalty Points for a list of these violations, the amount of points you'll get, and the dollar amount you'll need to pay.
How does the Driver Penalty Point Premium work?
Let's say you've just received your second speeding ticket in the past year. So now you have 6 points against your driving record (3 points for each ticket). Driver Penalty Point Premiums kick in at 4 or more points on your record, so you might be subject to a Driver Penalty Point Premium, in addition to any fines you owe.
A notice of any DPP owing is sent out once a year, right around your birthday. Some birthday present, huh? (Note: watch those points. It doesn't take many on your driving record to raise some flags. You might find yourself losing your driver's licence for a few months, or longer.)
Although the DPPP is paid into the Autoplan fund to pay claims, it is separate from your vehicle insurance. But if you have a Driver Penalty Point Premium owing, you won't be able to renew your vehicle insurance, or renew your driver's licence, until it is paid.
I was in a crash, and ICBC said that I was 50% at fault. Will my insurance go up? Will I have to pay the entire Collision deductible?
Yes, your insurance will go up if ICBC has to pay out on your behalf. Good news about your deductible, though. If you're 50% at fault, you'll only be responsible for 50% of the deductible. (You'll be refunded the other 50%.)
I've just bought / renewed my car insurance. When do I need to visit my AutoPlan broker again?
If:
