How your rate class affects your premium

Your Autoplan premium is affected by the way you use your vehicle. ICBC’s categories for different vehicle uses are called “rate classes".

The right rate class for your vehicle

It is important to discuss how you will use your vehicle with your broker as they will help you determine which rate class you belong in. This is important because if you are in the wrong rate class this may result in a breach of coverage, making you personally responsible for any claims. 

The most common rate classes are

• Pleasure* — Driving for typical day to day functions
• Commuting* — Driving to work or school
• Business — Driving for business purposes
• Delivery — Driving for delivery

*NOTE: Additional information on Pleasure Use and Commuting Use are found below.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your vehicle is correctly rated. Your Autoplan broker can help you determine the proper rate class.

How much do they cost?

The rate classes determine various premiums because they categorize different uses of vehicles. The premiums reflect the amount of time you spend on the road and the different conditions you drive in. Put simply, the more likely you are to be in a crash, the higher your premium will be.

Pleasure

Generally speaking, these rate classes apply to vehicles used for typical day to day functions such as driving children to or from school or some kind of an event, driving to or from a shopping centre, driving while on vacation, or similar types of uses. 

• Limited commuting, business, delivery use  —  Rate class 001

  The vehicle is used for typical day to day uses as described above. In addition, the vehicle can be used for limited commuting/business/delivery use so long as the vehicle is not used more than six (6) days in a calendar month for these uses. If used as a delivery vehicle then the vehicle must weigh 5,000 kilograms gross vehicle weight (GVW) or less.

• Owner or lessee and principal operator are age 65 or over  —  Rate class 005

  The vehicle is used for typical day to day uses as described above and is not driven to work. In addition, the vehicle may be used not more than six (6) days in a calendar month by the owner or lessee or principal operator to attend school.

Commuting

Generally speaking, these rate classes apply to vehicles used to drive to or from, or part way to or from, work or school. In addition, these rate classes include the uses indicated under "Pleasure Use Rate Classes".

• Driving to work or school less than 15 km each way  —  Rate class 003

  The vehicle is used to commute to or from, or part way to or from, work or school, a distance not exceeding 15 kilometers one way.  In addition, the vehicle may be used not over six (6) days in a calendar month for driving to work or school a distance in excess of 15 kilometers or business or delivery use. If used as a delivery vehicle then the vehicle must weigh 5,000 kilograms gross vehicle weight (GVW) or less.

• Driving to work or school more than 15 km each way   —  Rate class 002

  The vehicle is used to commute to or from, or part way to or from, work or school, a distance in excess of 15 kilometers. In addition, this vehicle may be used not over six (6) days in a calendar month for business or delivery use. If used as a delivery vehicle then the vehicle must weigh 5,000 kilograms gross vehicle weight (GVW) or less.

• Combination of driving and public transportation to get to work or school   —  Rate class 004

  The vehicle is used to commute part way to or from work or school (with no specific kilometer considerations) and then public transportation is used for the balance of the commute; for example, someone who takes a bus or a train to work part of the way. In addition, this vehicle may be used not over six (6) days in a calendar month for driving to work or school a distance in excess of 15 kilometers or business or delivery use.  If used as a delivery vehicle then the vehicle must weigh 5,000 kilograms gross vehicle weight (GVW) or less.