From May 1, 2021, ICBC is moving to a ‘care-based’ insurance model, alternatively known as ‘no-fault’ insurance. This means that in most cases you will no longer need to sue someone that caused a crash for compensation to get the care you need above a coverage allowance. Instead, you will receive essential care to fully recover from your injuries for as long as you need it – there is no limit, plus, there are many other new and extended benefits. For more information, visit icbc.com/enhancedcare.

No. As of May 1, 2021, the benefits and changes Enhanced Care brings will automatically be applied, regardless of when you renew. You will not need to make any changes or adjustments to the coverages on your car insurance policy until your next renewal.

Good news! Under the new Enhanced Care model, ICBC has shared that insurance premiums will reduce on average by 20%, or around $400. Some people will save more, some less – the exact savings you will see will depend on factors such as your coverages, driving history and experience, your vehicle and where and how it’s used. You can also use ICBC’s estimator tool to see how much you’ll save under Enhanced Care.

If you’re driving in BC and another driver crashes into your vehicle, ICBC’s new Basic Vehicle Damage Coverage included in your basic car insurance will cover your repair costs up to $200,000. This will not impact your premiums, because you did not cause the crash.

If you’re responsible or partially responsible for the crash, you will need to cover the costs to repair your vehicle. Purchasing optional collision provided by BCAA or ICBC will provide the protection and coverage required if you are found fully or partially at fault for the crash.

Yes, ICBC will still determine who was responsible for the crash. Drivers who cause the crash will pay higher premiums. If you didn’t cause the crash, your premiums won’t be impacted. The most dangerous driver will still be held accountable and could be sued for compensation if convicted for certain Criminal Code offences (such as impaired driving).

When Enhanced Care coverage takes effect on May 1, 2021, ICBC insurance will cost less. That means many British Columbians will be owed a one-time, pro-rated refund. Your refund amount is the difference between what you paid when you last renewed your current ICBC insurance policy and the new, lower cost of Enhanced Care, for however long your current policy extends past May 1. To find out if you’re eligible for refund, you can use ICBC’s estimator tool.

ICBC will provide all eligible customers with a refund in the same form of payment you paid in your last renewal.

• If you are on payment plan, your monthly payments will be adjusted.
• If you paid by credit card, the refund will be issued to the same card you paid with. You will receive a cheque in the mail if it is no longer valid.
• For all other payment forms, you will receive a cheque in the mail. You can also set up direct deposit on icbc.com to get your refund faster.

Refunds are expected to be issued by ICBC between May through July 2021.

Enhanced Care essentially introduces new coverages and benefits to ICBC Basic Autoplan. You’ll still need to consider optional coverages for extended third party liability, collision and comprehensive protection. Speak with one of our expert advisors to review your options and get the best level of coverage.

To find out more about the car insurance changes in BC, you can visit ICBC’s website at icbc.com/enhancedcare or speak to one of our expert advisors by calling 1.888.268.2222.

We’ve updated our BCAA Optional Car Insurance to ensure it continues to provide additional protection beyond ICBC Basic Autoplan, without overlapping, and added new coverage options and more ways to save. We’ve also adjusted our rates which means most customers will pay less on their next renewal. The changes will automatically take effect on your next renewal after May 1, 2021.

New benefits and ways to save:

• Increased BCAA Member Discount - BCAA Members now save 10%, plus an extra 1% for each year you renew BCAA Optional Car Insurance (up to 20%)
• Claims Free Discount – If you’ve been claims free for 10 years or more, you will save 10%.
• Free Tire Protection - This coverage is now included at no extra cost in all BCAA Optional Car Insurance policies. If your tire is damaged from potholes or puncture, we’ll cover the cost to repair or replace your tire.

New optional coverages:

• Hit and Run Vehicle Damage - Provides coverage if your vehicle is damaged by a hit and run driver. This coverage used to be included as part of your mandatory ICBC Basic Autoplan but is now an optional coverage.
• Extra Income Coverage - Provides up to $100,000 in wage loss coverage beyond your ICBC Basic Autoplan limit if you’re injured in an accident and unable to work.

Under Enhanced Care, all British Columbians will have access to the same care and recovery benefits if you’re injured in a crash, regardless of who was responsible. Extended Third-Party Liability will still be needed in some circumstances and will continue to provide coverage beyond your ICBC Basic Autoplan limit of $200,000. It will provide coverage if you:

• Injure someone or damage their vehicle while driving outside BC
• Damage another person’s property, other than a vehicle, while driving
• Damage contents inside another drivers vehicle

• Increased BCAA Member Discount - BCAA Members now save 10%, plus an extra 1% for each year you renew BCAA Optional Car Insurance (up to 20%).
• Claims Free Discount – If you’ve been claims free for 10 years or more, you will save 10%.
• Free Tire Protection - This coverage is now included at no extra cost in all BCAA Optional Car Insurance policies. If your tire is damaged from potholes or puncture, we’ll cover the cost to repair or replace your tire.

• ‘Preferred Driver Package’ is now called ‘Rental Vehicle Package’ and provides you a rental vehicle (if required) in the event of claim, and insurance coverage while renting a vehicle in Canada or the US. This coverage no longer includes Travel Protection Coverage.
• ‘Smash and Grab Bundle’ will now appear on your Declaration Page as ‘No Deductible Glass Coverage’ and ‘Personal Property Coverage’. There is no change to coverage, we’ve simply de-bundled the coverage options so you can pick only the coverages that you need.
• If you previously had collision coverage, you’ll notice a new addition of ‘Hit and Run Vehicle Damage’ coverage, which provides protection if your vehicle is damaged by a hit and run driver. This coverage used to be included as part of your mandatory ICBC Basic Autoplan but is now an optional coverage. To ensure you continue to have protection, this optional coverage has been automatically added to your policy.

BCAA will provide all eligible customers a refund reflecting the changes to our rates from May 1, 2021. You will see the full savings on your next renewal.

If your policy was renewed from February 5, 2021, you may have already seen savings as a result of the changes to BCAA Optional Car Insurance. If your policy renews after May 1, 2021, and you have Extended Third Party Liability on your policy, you will receive a refund cheque in the mail in late March.

The changes on your BCAA Optional Car Insurance will come into effect automatically on your next renewal after May 1, 2021. When you receive your renewal documents in the mail, we recommend reviewing your Declaration Page to make sure your coverage still meets your needs. If you have any questions or need to add or remove coverage, one of our expert advisors would be happy to help by phone at 1.888.268.2222 or you can book an appointment at your local BCAA Service Location.