Basic Autoplan:
Basic Autoplan insurance provided by ICBC is the minimum insurance required. All vehicles must be licensed and insured in BC before they can operate. ICBC is the sole provider of Basic Autoplan which is the universal compulsory vehicle insurance that all BC motorists must buy. Basic coverage applies in Canada and all of the United States including Hawaii and Alaska but does NOT apply to Mexico or any other country. This basic Autoplan consists of the following five coverages;
- Third party liability
- Accident benefits
- Underinsured motorist protection
- Hit-and-Run and Uninsured motorist
- Inverse liability coverage
Coverage can be denied when a vehicle is rated in the wrong rate class, driving without a valid driver’s license or driving contrary to licensing restrictions or conditions, impaired driving due to alcohol or any other intoxicating substance at the time of the crash, deliberate use to cause loss or damage, fraudulent or exaggerated claims and if the vehicle was used in any illegal act.
CRS Level:
The Claims Rate Scale (CRS) level is determined by two factors
A) years of driving experience
B) chargeable or at fault claims
Those factors are used in a calculated formula to determine if you are eligible for a discount or are subject to a surcharge.
Collision Coverage:
Collision coverage relates to coverage for loss or damage caused by the upset of a vehicle or collision of a vehicle with another object. A few examples are a road sign, guard rail or median as well as a bridge, culvert or pier. It also includes a pedestrian, a vehicle attached to a vehicle and cargo, including animals carried in or on a commercial vehicle with the gross vehicle weight which exceeds 5000kg, or a commercial trailer, and includes coverage for loss or damage caused by collision with another object where the collision results from the presence of a domestic or wild animal, either living or dead but there is NO impact with the animal. Collision coverage, if at fault is subject to a deductible.
Specified Perils:
Provides coverage in the event of loss or damage by the following perils:
– fire – hail
– lightning – rising water
– theft or attempted theft – riot or civil commotion or stranding
– explosion – sinking
– earthquake – burning
– windstorm – derailment
– upset or collision of a conveyance in or on which a vehicle is being transported on land or water
– damage caused by falling or forced landing of an aircraft or part of
Comprehensive Coverage:
Comprehensive coverage is loss or damage other than that which collision coverage applies. It also includes all coverages stated in specified perils and additionally for loss caused by missiles, falling or flying objects, vandalism or an impact with a domestic wild animal, either living or dead.
Extended Third Party Liability:
Basic Autoplan Third Party Liability can be extended to the limit purchased in the amounts of
500,000, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 million. Third party liability pays for claims against the registered owner made by other motorists for damages or injuries in a motor vehicle crash for which you or your vehicle are found legally responsible.
Excess Underinsured Motorist Protection (Excess UMP):
This coverage is also an extension to the basic coverage raising the limit from $1 million to $2 million. This provides coverage for bodily injury or death when the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover the damages awarded. It is only available to individuals with the basic UMP which is provided as long as they either; own and insure a BC vehicle, hold a valid BC driver’s license, or are members of a household of someone who has a valid license or registered vehicle in BC. UMP policies also cover the insured while riding a bus, limo or taxi but is not provided in your basic if the vehicle is used as a bus, limo, or taxi.
Note: if there are other vehicles in a household which are not registered to the named insured on the excess UMP policy, then each owner must purchase a separate policy. The reason being is that the coverage from the named insured’s policy does not extend to the members of the household while those members are in their own vehicle.
Some private insurers offer higher limits.
Loss of Use by Theft:
This coverage is included if you have purchased Comprehensive or Specified perils coverage and have submitted a claim for theft of your entire vehicle. ICBC will reimburse you for substitute transportation up to $40/day to the maximum of $800 and coverage begins 72 hours after the theft is reported. Private insurance companies’ optional coverage provides similar coverage when purchased.
Loss of Use (LOU):
LOU reimburses you for the cost of substitute transportation when you make a claim for loss or damaged and the loss or damage is covered by your policy (Excluding theft of vehicle). This coverage can be additionally purchased if you have at least one of the following: Own Damage optional coverage relevant to the claim regardless of who is at fault; Collision, Comprehensive, Specified perils. This coverage has a daily and total limit you chose when you purchase it but begins immediately after the report of a claim.
RoadStar Package:
The RoadStar package is a group of special coverage policies offered to customers with a claims Rated Scale level(CRS) of (-9) or better subject to certain classes of business.
RoadStar includes:
– RoadStar LOU – RoadStar vehicle travel protection
– RoadStar rental vehicle – RoadStar lock re-keying
RoadsidePlus:
This package contains eight different coverages that offer protection from costs associated with a variety of claims. Some are the same as in the RoadStar package but include extra benefits. This package is eligible to customers who are at a CRS level of (0) or better, have a deductible for collision coverage of $1000 or less and are a resident of BC. RoadsidePlus includes:
– LOU – Travel protection
– Rental vehicle – Lock re-keying
– Destination assistance – Theft deductible waiver
– Family worldwide transportation – Emergency roadside expense repayment
Note: private insurance companies offer similar packages, some with higher or optional limits.
Limited Depreciation Endorsement:
This protects against depreciation and inflation for claims paid under Autoplan collision, comprehensive or specified perils. To be eligible your vehicle must be within the first three model years of their manufacture and must also have the own damage coverage associated with the type of claim that occurred.
Replacement Cost Endorsement:
This is a superior coverage for customer’s with a new or used vehicle, which is three model years old or newer. To qualify you must be at a CRS level of (-4) or better and is also subject to contain exemptions.
New Vehicle Replacement Plus:
NVR+ is the highest level of replacement cost coverage available only on new vehicles. It provides protection to customers whose new vehicles are substantially damaged but are not a total loss. It reduces the point at which a vehicle is declared a total loss from approx. 80% down to 50% which mean it does not have to be as severely damaged to qualify for replacement cost. When this is purchased (RCC) is automatically included.
Excess Special Equipment Endorsement:
Optional own damage coverage does cover all equipment permanently attached to the vehicle that is provided by the original manufacturer. It also covers additional equipment up to $1000 for sound and communication and $5000 for other permanently attached equipment including custom paint finishes. This endorsement is available for most passenger and light commercial vehicles and raises those limits of coverage for non-manufacturer’s (aftermarket) equipment.
*Disclaimer: descriptions of coverage and packages are brief and are subject to qualification or exemptions not mentioned. Any further request for information or concerns can be directed to one of our qualified agents.
