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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.
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.
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.
Changes to ICBC car insurance coming May 2021
Starting May 2021, ICBC is moving to a “care-based” insurance system which will affect all ICBC policy holders.
Learn more about ICBC’s upcoming changes.
Currently, you’re not able to buy or renew mandatory basic car insurance online. You would need to either visit or call (New!) an Autoplan broker. As one of BC’s largest Autoplan brokers, BCAA can help with all your car insurance needs by phone or in-person.
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 BasicMandatory coverage provided by ICBC and sold at BCAA. |
BCAA OptionalOptional coverage provided by BCAA. |
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Third Party LiabilityProtects you when you’re at-fault in a crash and another party makes a claim against you to cover their injury costs and vehicle damage. |
Up to $200,000 | |
Accident BenefitsCovers medical costs, wage loss and more if you’re injured in a motor vehicle crash. |
Up to $300,000 | |
Underinsured Motorist ProtectionCovers you if the person responsible for a crash doesn’t have enough insurance to pay for your claim. |
Up to $1 million | |
Hit & Run ProtectionCovers damage or injuries suffered in a hit-and-run. |
Up to $200,000 | |
Inverse Liability ProtectionProtects your vehicle in parts of Canada and the US where local laws restrict your coverage. |
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Collision CoverageCovers damage to your vehicle when you hit another vehicle, object or surface of the road, even if you're at-fault. |
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Comprehensive CoverageCovers damage to your vehicle that’s not from car-to-car collision like break-ins, chipped windshields and more. |
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Extended Third Party LiabilityProtects you when you’re at-fault in a crash and another party makes a claim against you, and the claim exceeds your $200,000 ICBC Basic Autoplan limit. |
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One Accident ForgivenessProtects your premium from going up after your first at-fault accident. |
Included | |
Guaranteed RepairsWhen 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‐KeyedIf 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 CoverageIf your pet is injured in a car accident, you’ll get up to $1,000 in coverage for veterinary expenses. |
Included | |
Other Optional CoveragesBCAA 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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