DO I NEED AN AIRCARE TEST?
Vehicle model years 2004 and newer DO NOT require an AirCare test in 2010. Model years 1992-2003 will require biennial tests at $45; 1991 and older will require annual tests at $23. Check your ICBC renewal letter to determine if you need to test or call our office.
AirCare test locations are open from 8:30AM to 5PM Monday to Saturday. The Burnaby (Wayburne) and South Surrey AirCare test centres are now CLOSED permanently. Certain vehicles such as motorcycles, collector cars, large motor homes do not require the test. For more information, visit www.aircare.ca or phone: 604-930-5633
CAN YOU RENEW THE INSURANCE FOR MY LEASED CAR?
Yes, definitely. Just bring us a copy of your current insurance papers. We’ll call your lease company for authorization and send them a copy of the insurance once it’s done.
CAN I MAIL IN MY RENEWAL?
If your renewal has no reductions in coverage and is not on a payment plan, simply sign the back of the ICBC Notice to Renew form and forward to us with your cheque payable to ICBC for the Estimated Amount Due. But it’s best to call us first to make sure we will be able to renew and deliver to you.
Once we receive the renewal form from you,we will contact you by phone to confirm the coverage & deliver to you the processed renewal papers and decal. If you prefer to pay by credit card, we will get your card number when we call you.
You may also send a friend or family member to renew as long as they bring in your signed ICBC Notice To Renew letter, and there’s no reductions in coverage and is not financed.
I HAD A SMALL ACCIDENT AND THE OTHER DRIVER DOESN’T WANT TO REPORT IT TO ICBC, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
It’s always best to report the accident to ICBC even if you do not plan on making a claim. ICBC will assist you in settling in the loss with the other party at no cost to you. Beware of other drivers who tell you their “friend” can repair your car at a good price; usually the repair work is substandard.
HOW DO I REPORT MY CAR ACCIDENT/THEFT/GLASS/INJURY CLAIM?
Call ICBC Dial-A-Claim at 604-520-8222 or report it online 24/7 at www.icbc.com. See our Claims page for more information.
I’M GOING ON VACATION AND PLAN TO RENT A CAR. DO I NEED TO BUY INSURANCE FROM THE RENTAL COMPANY?
If you have the RoadStar or RoadSidePlus benefits package on your car insurance policy, you already have insurance for rental cars in Canada and the USA for up to 30 day rentals. The insurance provides similar coverage that you have on your own car (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, etc) and will also cover any additional drivers you name on your rental contract. Some restrictions apply so best to call us to confirm coverage is in place.
If you don’t carry these packages on your own car insurance, you may still buy the same Rental Car coverage from ICBC at $10/day (minimum $40). This is better coverage and less expensive than what the rental car companies provide.
I’VE JUST SOLD MY CAR. HOW DO I CANCEL MY INSURANCE AND GET A REFUND?
To cancel your insurance, bring us your licence plates and insurance papers. We’ll need your signature on a cancellation form and the refund will be either mailed to you in a week or applied to the credit card that originally paid the insurance. If the insurance was financed, you will either pay a small additional or have a small refund when you cancel.
NOTE: If your car was leased, only the lease company can sign the cancellation. In this case you should take the licence plates and papers to the Lessor or their dealer to cancel.
2nd NOTE: If you plan on replacing car in the near future (say within a week or so) it’s best to not cancel. Instead, hold onto your plates and when you get your new car, transfer them on to the new car.
MY DISCOUNT IS BETTER THAN MY DAUGHTER’S SO CAN I JUST DECLARE ME AS THE DRIVER ON HER INSURANCE?
Falsely declaring another person as the principal operator on an insurance policy in order to obtain cheaper rates is considered misrepresentation and your claim can be denied. New drivers must earn their Claim-Rated Scale Discount at a rate of 5% per year. They can earn the discount simply by having a drivers licence (they don’t need to own a car or be a principal operator).
I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE CAR STEREO AND LOTS OF AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT. IS IT COVERED?
Sound and communication equipment that is permanently attached to your car is automatically covered up to $1000. Other aftermarket equipment such as custom paint, mag wheels, roof racks, etc. are covered up to $5000. Any equipment over and above these limits can be insured on a separate “Special Equipment Policy”.
MY CAR IS NOW 25 YEARS OLD. CAN I GET COLLECTOR PLATES?
You can apply for Collector licence plates and insurance by completing an application and sending it in with ten colour photos of your car. The car must be in clean, stock condition and cannot be driven to or from work. You must also pass an AirCare test (once only) and you must own or jointly own another non-collector car. The advantage of having Collector status is the rates are less than half of regular Pleasure-use rates.
I WANT TO BORROW MY GRANDFATHER’S CAR TO DRIVE TO WORK FOR A FEW DAYS. ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT?
If grandpa’s car is rates as “Senior Citizen, Pleasure Use”, there’s no allowance for commuting to work so you will need to do a “Temporary Change of Use” and pay the additional premium for that period. Grandpa will have to sign the form so bring him with you.
IF I HAVE A CLAIM, WILL MY RATES GO UP NEXT YEAR?
Depends. If you have 10~20 years of claims-free history, you have some discount protection and an at-fault will only increase your rates slightly; the more claims-free years you have , the less the increase in rates. But if you’re a newer driver, one at-fault claim can increase your rates quite a bit so it’s best to call us and we can advise you if it will be worth making the claim or paying out of pocket. This only applies to Collision and Liability Claims; Comprehensive, Hit & Run and Glass claims do not affect your Safe-Driver’s Discount.
For more ICBC FAQ’s, please check out the ICBC website:
