Basic Coverage
THIRD PARTY LIABILITY covers you for body injury or property damage you cause to others. You do have the option for an additional premium, to increase your Third Party Liability, which many B.C. drivers are doing now.
ACCIDENT BENEFITS help you with medical and wage loss needs if you are injured in a motor vehicle crash, regardless of who is at fault. ICBC will pay benefits to all occupants of a vehicle licensed and insured in BC. These benefits also apply to anyone named on a Autoplan policy as well as a member of their household if they are injured as a pedestrian or cyclist. This applies even if it occurs in another Canadian Province or Territory as long as the vehicle they are hit by is a BC licensed and insured vehicle.
UNDERINSURED MOTORIST PROTECTION covers the individual named on the Autoplan policy as well as members of their household if they are:
1. injured or killed while driving or while a passenger in the insured vehicle
2. injured or killed while driving or while a passenger in someone else's vehicle
3. injured or killed if a pedestrian or cyclist.
Any person who is driving or is a passenger in a BC licensed and insured vehicle, whether the vehicle is owned by an individual or a company Underinsured Motorist Protection also covers individuals named as lessees on the autoplan policies of leased vehicles and the members of their household. Finally, any persons who hold a valid BC driver's license and their household members, are covered for if they are:
1. injured or killed while driving or while a passenger in any vehicle
2. injured or killed as pedestrians or cyclists
UNDERINSURED MOTORIST PROTECTION provides you with upto $1,000,000 in coverage if you are injured or killed by the owner or operator of an underinsured vehicle and you are not at fault for the crash. You can increase the limit to $2,000,000 per person by purchasing an Excess Underinsured Motorists Protection Policy.
HIT AND RUN COVERAGE AND UNINSURED MOTORIST PROTECTION provides automatic coverage up to a maximum of $200,000 to anyone whose property is damaged or who is injured or killed by an uninsured or hit and run driver on a highway in BC.
Other Canadian provinces have special funds to pay for uninsured or unidentified motorist claims.
However, since the Yukon, Northwest Territories and most US states do not have such funds, Basic Autoplan also covers you if you are injured or killed in a crash on a highway in any of these jurisdictions, if the crash is caused by a hit and run driver or one who is uninsured. The coverage is limited to the equivalent of whatever compulsory 3rd Party Legal Liability Limit applies in the jurisdiction where the crash occurred or $200,00, whichever is less.
Optional Coverages
COLLISION covers payment to repair your vehicle if it is damaged as a result of upset or collision with another vehicle, a person or and object, including the ground or highway or impact with an object on or in the ground.
COMPREHENSIVE covers loss or damage by any cause except loss or damage covered by collision insurance. This includes fire, lightning, theft, (except by an employee or member of your household) vandalism, malicious mischief, windstorm, earthquake, hail, impact with animals, missiles, falling or flying objects, riot, civil commotion, rising water or the stranding , sinking, burning, derailment or collision of a conveyance transporting the vehicle on land or water.
SPECIFIED PERILS covers you for specific coverages only. These include fire, lightening, theft, (except by an employee or a member of your household) windstorm, earthquake, hail, explosion, riot, civil commotion, falling or forced landing of an aircraft or portion of it, rising water or the stranding, sinking, derailment, or collision of a conveyance transporting the vehicle on land or water. Losses which are not covered include vandalism, malicious mischief or rock chip damage to windshields.
Customers wishing coverages described under comprehensive or specified perils will only purchase one or the other, but not both. Also, claims under comprehensive and specified perils do not affect your ICBC Claim-Rated Scale discount.
LOSS OF USE is available if you have collision, comprehensive or specified perils. This provides you with substitute transportation while your vehicle is being repaired as a result of an insurable claim. There are different daily limits for you to choose from, to suit your own personal needs.
Are you a RoadStar?
If you have maintained your 40% discount for more than five years in a row without an at-fault claim, then you are a roadstar. In being a RoadStar you qualify for and additional discount and special coverages for reduced rates.
In addition to your 40% Discount, ICBC will also deduct a further 5% off of your Basic and liability premiums and a further 10% off of your own damage premiums.
Also available to roadstars, is the Roadstar Package . This package is $15 a year if you have the following three autoplan coverages: Extended Third Party Liability, Collision and either Comprehnsive or Specified Perils. Roadstars who don't carry the specified Autoplan Coverages can purchase the package for $30.
The ROADSTAR PACKAGE includes Loss of Use, Rental Vehicle Coverage, Lock Re-keying and Vehicle Travel Protection.
LOSS OF USE provides you with up to $500 coverage for suitable transportation ($1000 for Motorhomes) with no daily limits. Coverage starts immediately after the accident if the Vehicle is inoperable and ends as soon as the vehicle is repaired or when ICBC has made you an offer of Settlement if the vehicle is a total loss.
RENTAL VEHICLE COVERAGE protects the user of rental vehicles or courtesy cars. Coverage includes: Third Party Legal Liability to $1 Million, Accident Benefits, Underinsured Motorist Protection, Legal Liability for damage to the Rental Vehicle or Coutesy Car (Collision $200 Deductible, Comprehensive $100 Deductible), Loss Of Use ($25 per day to a total limit of $250) of the Rental Vehicle or Courtesy car if an accident has made it undriveable & Payment for claims made by rental companies for loss of use.
This coverage applies to the person named on the Owner's Certificate to which Roadstar applies, an "assigned corporate driver" where the insured named on the Owner's Certificate is the driver's employer, and the spouse of either of these persons. Coverage also extends to any other person named as a permitted driver on the rental contract.
LOCK RE-KEYING provides coverage if your keys or remote keyless entry transmitter are stolen. ICBC will reimburse you for the cost of replacing them and re-keying the locks on your vehicle. You must have Valid Autoplan Comprehensive or Specified Perils coverage and the replacement costs are subject to the applicable deductible.
VEHICLE TRAVEL PROTECTION reimburses you for some expenses you may incur if you are in a motor vehicle accident or if your vehicle is stolen while you are on a trip away from home. It is intended for people who take their vehicles on holidays or business trips. You are also protected if while on a trip, you are involved in an accident with a motor vehicle while riding a bicycle or as a pedestrian.
This Policy covers additional living expenses (up to $500 for one or two people, up to $1,000 for three or more). This includes Lodging, meals, telephone calls and transportation expenses. It also re-imburses you for towing expenses up to $100. Also covered is expenses incurred to bring the described vehicle back home ($750 maximum). This includes bringing a damaged or recovered stolen vehicle back home for repairs or sending someone to bring home a stolen vehicle that has been recovered. (The above dollar amounts may be greater for motor homes). You are eligible for a replacement vehicle (up to $500) for a rented or borrowed vehicle only. Also, travel expenses for you to return home by the most direct route (up to $1,500 for one or two people; up to $3,000 for three or more). And finally, reimbursement of your deductible for a collision claim if your vehicle is damaged by a vehicle not insured by ICBC (only if you have Auroplan Collision coverage and you are not at fault for the accident)
PLEASE NOTE that Vehicle Travel Protection in the RoadStar Package only covers the above expenses when they occur as a direct result of a motor vehicle accident or theft of your vehicle. It does not pay for damage to your vehicle or for injuries.
Vehicle Travel Protection covers the person named on the Owner's Certificate to which the Roadstar Package applies, an "assigned corporate driver" where the insured named on the Owner's Certificate is the employer of the driver, the spouse of either of the above, or any persons travelling with the insured or assigned corporate driver, including non-BC residents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I have always confused Comprehensive and Collision coverage. What is the difference between the two?
Both cover damage done to your vehicle. Collision, not surprisingly, covers the damage to your car that occurs when it collides with something. Whether you hit an object, like a fence, building or another vehicle. Loss for vehicle upset is also insured under this area of insurance. If you hit black ice and roll the vehicle, this is the section that would respond.
Comprehensive covers all other losses such as theft, fire, vandalism, falling objects, impact of animal and glass.
A further note, claims against your insurance made in the collision section will have an effect on your insurance policy. If you are a ROADSTAR insured with ICBC, your 40% claims free will be protected. You will lose your roadstar savings and will not be able to purchase the roadstar policy or replacement policy until you become a roadstar again (5 years claims free with a 40% discount).
Claims made under the comprehensive coverage does NOT effect your discount.
My car was "totalled" even though it was still driveable. How is the decision to total a car reached?
First, there are guidelines that determine the "book value" of your car, taking into consideration the age, condition and any options. After an accident an adjuster and several repair shops will determine the extent of the damage to your car. They will then agree on the cost of the repairs to it. If the cost to repair is more than the book value, the insurance company will "total" the car and pay you the book value for the vehicle.
Do I need to buy extra coverage when I rent a car?
Rental company insurance can be quite expensive and you may or may not already have this coverage. If you have purchased ICBC's ROADSTAR policy, you will have rental car insurance. If you pay for a rental with a credit card, check for limitations and conditions carefully, they vary widely. Most a good for a limited time and accidents must be reported with that time. If you wait until you get home to report damage, you may lose out. The rule; Know before you go!
Am I covered while driving my car in Mexico?
No. Your Autoplan will cover only in Canada and the USA.
What should I do if I am involved in an auto accident?
Here are 7 simple steps that will help you cope in the aftermath of an accident.
1. Make sure everyone is all right. If you are injured stay in your vehicle!
2. Safely pull out of the traffic and turn off your engine.
3. Contact the police right away or see that someone else does.
4. Exchange information with the other driver(s) involved;
Name, address and phone number of drivers and passengers
Driver's license numbers and license plate numbers.
Registration info; make, model and year of vehicles
Insurance companies.
5. Make notes or even a sketch to help you remember the time, weather conditions and details of how the accident happened.
6. Do not lay blame OR admit fault.
7. Notify your insurer as soon as possible.
Replacement Cost Policy
The Replacement Cost Policy is available to you if you're a RoadStar with a vehicle that is not more than three model years old if the year is 1998, the following model years are eligible: 1998 or 1999(first model year) 1997 (second model year) and 1996 (third model year)- even if you are not the first owner of the vehicle.
The Replacement Cost Policy protects you against depreciation and the effects of inflation, giving you a new vehicle to replace your old one or the cash equivalent.
Without a Replacement Cost Policy, payment of any claim for damage to your vehicle is based on the standard cost of repairs. If the car is a total loss, payment is based on the actual cash value of the vehicle at the time of the accident, including depreciation.
Replacement Cost Coverage in a Write-Off
If a crash or mishap damages your car beyond repair, it is considered a total loss. With the Replacement Cost Policy, ICBC will replace your vehicle with the most current available model of the same vehicle with similar equipment and options, if the replacement vehicle can be delivered within 30 days from the date that your vehicle is determined to be a total loss. (For example, if you 1997 vehicle is totaled in 1999, we will replace it with a 1999 model of the same vehicle)
If your vehicle can not be replaced within 30 days of the date your vehicle was determined to be a total loss, and you purchased your vehicle new, you will receive a cash payment equivalent to the purchase price of your vehicle or the manufacturer's suggested retail price at the time your bought your vehicle, whichever is less, plus an additional markup for inflation of:
2.5% for vehicles in their first model year
5% for vehicles in the second model year;
7.5% for vehicles in the third model year.
If a replacement vehicle is available but you prefer a different one, ICBC will pay you the same amount you would receive if a replacement vehicle were not available. Then you can use the money to buy whatever vehicle you want. The amount ICBC gives you, however, will not be more than the actual cost of a replacement vehicle that can be found.
If you purchase a used vehicle and a replacement vehicle cannot be obtained within 30 days of the date it is determined to be a total loss, you will receive:
- the cash equivalent of the most current available model of a new vehicle of the same make and model as your if the manufacturer still makes that vehicle; or
- if the manufacturer no longer makes that vehicle, the manufacturer's suggested retail price for the vehicle at the time it was manufactured plus the markup of either 2.5%, 5%, or 7.5% for inflation.
Any prior unrepaired damage on your vehicle will be deducted from the settlement of a total loss. Since extended warranties are not part of the vehicle, they are not considered in settlement of a total loss.
Replacement Cost Coverage if the Vehicle Can Be Repaired
With a valid Replacement Cost Policy, ICBC will authorize the repairer to use new, original manufacturer's parts when your vehicle can be repaired and parts are needed. If such parts are not available, you will get new parts of like kind and quality as those used or recommended by the manufacturer. You will not have to pay anything in the way of depreciation for replacement of worn or used parts damaged in the accident.
Length of Policy
The Replacement Cost Policy is issued for a maximum of one year at a time, just like your Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle License. For your convenience, the policy expires at the same time as your owner's certificate.
Equipment Added After Purchasing a Replacement Cost Policy
Coverage under a Replacement Cost Policy extends to all additional equipment covered under your regular Collision, Comprehensive or Specified Perils insurance. If the value of any non-manufacturer's equipment exceeds $1,000 for sound and communication equipment, or $5,000 for other equipment, the additional amount will have to be insured separately under an Excess Special Equipment Endorsement for you to recover the full amount of the loss.
Summarization of & Restrictions to The Replacement Cost Policy
- Coverage is only available to Roadstars (motorists who have kept their 40% ICBC Discount for more than five years in a row with no at-fault claims.
- Coverage Restriction for Vehicles which are three model years old - vehicles in their third model year when the policy is purchased are not covered for losses by fire, theft, vandalism, or malicious mischief.
- Age of the Vehicle - the policy is only available for vehicles which are three model years old or newer
- Limited to certain types of vehicles and rate classes (Rate class represents what the vehicle is used for) - only available to private passenger and commercial vehicles with a GVW of 5,000 kg or less that are used for pleasure, driving to and from work and school, business use or by a person age 65 or more, or for motor homes used for pleasure.
- Vehicles must be licensed and insured - your vehicle must be licensed and carry Autoplan Collision or Comprehensive coverage or both when you buy a Replacement Cost Policy. If you later decide to store your vehicle and not renew your insurance, your vehicle will still be covered by the policy as long as you have purchased coverage on it under an Unlicensed Vehicle Policy.
- Documenting your Claim - when you make a claim, your adjuster will ask for a copy of the detailed bill of sale showing what you paid for your vehicle and it's equipment. It is VERY important to keep your bill of sale as long as you have a Replacement Cost Policy in Force.
*** this information was obtained from the "ICBC Optional Autoplan Insurance" Brochure
