The claim-rated scale

The claim-rated scale (CRS) is a system ICBC uses to help apportion the premiums required by the auto insurance system. Each policy’s share is determined by the risk it presents. Find out how.

How does it work?

The claim-rated scale considers the chance of future claims activity based on the past record of the owner and principal operator. All new B.C. drivers start out on the claim-rated scale at a base rate. From there you move up or down the scale for every claim you cause or for every claim-free year.

If you are at fault for a claim, you move up the scale and pay more for your Autoplan coverage. If you do not have any claims, you move down the scale and receive a discount on your premium. Drivers move down the scale for each year they avoid claims and up the scale for each at-fault claim. Drivers above base rate on the scale pay a surcharge while drivers below base rate receive a discount.

Your premium is automatically adjusted each year to reflect your claim history.

Not clear? Check out our claim-rated scale chart (PDF).

Made an at-fault claim? How to calculate your new position

Use the left column in the chart above to find your current level, then compare to the right column to see how many steps you will move up. In the bottom example, the driver at level -16 had a crash that caused a move three steps up the scale.

Discounts

For each year that you do not make an at-fault claim, you move down the claim-rated scale. Once you are at level -1, you start to receive a 5 per cent discount on your premium. Every claim-free year after this increases this discount by 5 per cent until you reach 43 per cent.

Surcharges

For each claim 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. While the chart above stops at a 205 per cent surcharge, it is possible for surcharges to exceed this amount.

If you are receiving a substantial discount and you have a crash, we will not automatically start adding a surcharge. It just means that you may move up the claim-rated scale, and your discount will be smaller. However, if you were at level -1 and had a crash, you would move up to level +5 (55 per cent surcharge).

You will only move up the scale if you are found to be more than 25 per cent at fault for the crash. If you are 25 per cent or less at fault, your discount level will typically not change.

Other drivers and your position on the claim-rated scale

At-fault claims against your insurance could affect your position on the claim-rated scale. This includes:

• Anyone else involved in your crash that claims against your Third-Party Liability coverage.
• Someone else driving your vehicle who had an at-fault crash.

Disputing your position on the claim-rated scale

While it is not possible to dispute your position on the claim-rated scale, it is possible to dispute your fault in the crash.

Any questions?

Call us:
Lower Mainland: 604-661-2800
Toll free elsewhere in B.C.: 1-800-663-3051