Car Insurance 101

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Car Insurance 101

Tired of insurance speak? At BCAA, we use human speak to explain your car insurance options and help you save money.

How Car Insurance Works in BC

In BC, basic car insurance is required by law but there are many non-mandatory coverage add-ons available. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is the only provider of basic car insurance in the province. It provides a minimum level of protection, but it doesn’t cover everything – just you know, the basics.

Most BC drivers top up their basic car insurance with optional coverage (non-mandatory). Unlike basic car insurance, drivers have the choice to use a private insurance company, like BCAA, for their optional car insurance. It provides extra protection for things like chipped windshields, break-ins, vehicle repair costs and more.

Check out our basic and optional coverage grid below for more information.

How to Save on Car Insurance

If you’re looking to save on car insurance, consider shopping around for optional car insurance and explore your options. You might be surprised at the lower rates. Afterall, you have a choice when it comes to picking your optional car insurance provider. The next time you renew your car insurance simply take a few minutes to ask about your optional car insurance options and get a quote for comparison. You could save, get better coverage, or both.

You can also get a BCAA Optional Car Insurance quote online in minutes to see how much you could save.

Buying & Renewing Car Insurance in BC

Eligible customers with policies effective May 2022 and onward, can now renew their ICBC policy online. Whether you choose to renew online, by phone or in person, BCAA is here for you. If you’re buying a new ICBC policy, need to make changes to your coverage or have any questions, please call or visit us.

Basic & Optional Coverage Grid

We’ll take care of all your car insurance needs, including mandatory ICBC Autoplan coverage, and give you a real choice in optional car insurance.

	ICBC Basic Mandatory coverage provided by ICBC and sold at BCAA.	BCAA Optional Optional coverage provided by BCAA.
Third Party Liability Protects you when you’re at-fault in a crash outside BC and another person makes a claim against you to cover their injury costs and vehicle damage. It also protects you if you damage someone’s property such as if you hit and damage another person's fence.	Up to $200,000
Enhanced Care Coverage Effective May 1, 2021: If you’re injured in a crash, ICBC will provide unlimited medical care and recovery benefits for treatments like physiotherapy, chiropractic, dental care, counselling, and more. Plus, up to $100,000 in lost wages, regardless of who was responsible for the crash.	Unlimited
Basic Vehicle Damage Coverage Effective May , 2021: In the event of a crash that’s not your fault, your policy will cover your vehicle repairs up to a limit of $200,000.	Up to $200,000
Underinsured Motorist Protection Covers you if the person responsible for a crash doesn’t have enough insurance to pay for your claim.	Up to $1 million
Inverse Liability Protection Protects your vehicle in parts of Canada and the US where local laws restrict your coverage.
Collision Coverage Covers damage to your vehicle when you hit another vehicle, object or surface of the road, regardless of who was at-fault.
Comprehensive Coverage Covers damage to your vehicle that’s not from car-to-car collision like break-ins, chipped windshields and more.
Extended Third Party Liability Extended Third Party Liability provides coverage in excess of $200,000 if you get into a crash outside of BC and injure someone or damage their vehicle. It also covers you if you damage another person’s property such as if you hit and damage another person's fence.
Hit and Run Vehicle Damage Starting May 1, vehicle damage from a hit and run (when an unidentified driver damages your vehicle and leaves the scene of the crash) in BC is no longer covered by your ICBC Basic Autoplan. This optional coverage provides up to $200,000 if your vehicle is damaged by a hit and run driver.
Tire Protection If your vehicle tire is damaged from potholes or punctures, we’ll cover the cost to repair or replace your tire.		Included
One Accident Forgiveness Protects your premium from going up after your first at-fault accident.		Included
Guaranteed Repairs When your car is repaired by a BCAA Approved Auto Repair Service facility, the repair work will be guaranteed for as long as you own the car.		Included
Lock Re‐Keyed If your keys or key-less remote are stolen, you’ll be reimbursed up to $1,500 to re-key or re-code the locks.		Included
Pet Coverage If your pet is injured in a car accident, you’ll get up to $1,000 in coverage for veterinary expenses.		Included
Other Optional Coverages BCAA offers a wide variety of optional coverage add-ons to help ensure you have the coverage that fits your needs. Learn more.

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^{*BCAA Member savings on insurance products are only available with Basic, Plus, or Premier Membership plans. For full details, please visit www.bcaa.com/plans.

BCAA Optional Car Insurance and Autoplan are sold through B.C.A.A. Holdings Ltd. dba BCAA Insurance Agency, a licensed insurance agency. BCAA Optional Car Insurance is underwritten by CAA Insurance Company and Autoplan is underwritten by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.}

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