Basic insurance

ICBC Basic Autoplan insurance is the mandatory coverage you need for a vehicle in B.C.  It helps ensure that all British Columbians who own and drive a motor vehicle here are protected with a basic level of coverage. Find out what’s included in your Basic Autoplan insurance.

Medical costs, wage loss and more​

Your Autoplan Accident Benefits help you, your passengers and members of your household with medical costs, wage loss and more if you’re injured in a motor vehicle crash, even if you’re found responsible (at fault) in the crash.

To help you on the road to recovery, Accident Benefits provide up to $300,000 in medical and rehabilitation costs. This could include costs like hospital care, chiropractic treatments, medication, physiotherapy, counselling and more. Find out more about getting medical care and treatment after a crash.

Accident Benefits also cover things like dental care, alternative therapy, and home support if needed after an injury.

And, if you’re unable to work due to an injury from a crash, your Accident Benefits will provide wage loss payments of up to $740 per week.

Here’s an example

Karen’s car slid on an icy patch and went off the road. She had some bad injuries, and was relieved to learn that her accident benefits covered her medical costs, including physiotherapy and prescriptions. She had to miss a few weeks of work too, but her coverage helped pay for some of her lost earnings.

Protection if you’re responsible for a crash​

Third Party Liability coverage, included in your Basic insurance, protects you when you’re at fault in a crash and another party makes a claim against you. Your Basic Autoplan covers up to $200,000 of their injury costs and vehicle damage.

Here’s an example

Jay drove into another car as he was turning. That car was badly damaged, and both people in it were hurt. Jay felt awful about the crash, but he knew that his third party liability coverage would look after the costs to repair the other car, and for the medical costs and wage losses for the people who were in it.

The costs of a crash can add up. If you want to increase the amount of coverage you have in the event you’re responsible for a crash, you may want to consider Extended Third Party Liability coverage, an optional Autoplan product.

Extra protection for occasional unlisted drivers

You can add Unlisted Driver Protection to your Basic Autoplan policy, even if you don’t have additional ICBC coverage. It protects you from a one-time financial consequence if an occasional unlisted driver causes a crash in your car.

This coverage is free to add to your policy (as long as an unlisted driver hasn’t caused a crash in your car). Talk to your Autoplan broker or find out more about Unlisted Driver Protection.

If the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance  ​

If the person who’s responsible for a crash doesn’t have enough insurance to pay for your claim, Underinsured Motorist Protection (UMP) covers you.

Here’s an example

Vic and his son were in a crash caused by a driver who didn’t have any insurance. Vic was worried until he found that his Underinsured Motorist Protection (UMP), which is part of Basic Autoplan, would look after their costs.

Basic UMP covers you and members of your household:

  • when you own or lease a vehicle
  • if you’re injured or killed in a crash as a driver, passenger, or as a pedestrian or cyclist
  • for claims of up to $1 million per insured person.

Many buy Extension Underinsured Motorist Protection to increase that protection up to a total of $2 million, $3 million, $4 million or $5 million.

Hit-and-run damage and injuries​

Basic insurance includes coverage for damage or injuries suffered in a hit-and-run. The coverage is available to every B.C. resident, even if you don’t own or insure a vehicle. If you’re eligible, up to $200,000 is available to anyone whose property is damaged, or who is injured or killed in a crash on a roadway in B.C. Find out more about hit and run claims.

Protection where local laws can affect your claim

Inverse liability protection covers you in parts of Canada or the U.S. where local laws don’t let you claim against the person who caused your crash. 

Your vehicle repair costs are covered up to 100 per cent (less if you were partly responsible for the crash). For example, if you were 25 per cent responsible, you’ll receive 75 per cent of the cost of repairing your car.

Talk to your Autoplan broker

For more details on what Basic Autoplan covers, talk to your Autoplan broker or refer to your Autoplan insurance brochure. 

What could affect your Basic Autoplan coverage​

Here are some things you can do to help ensure your coverage stays valid:

  • Your vehicle must be rated correctly. It’s important that you tell your broker how you use your vehicle (your rate class), and who will be driving it most of the time.
  • If you have a claim, provide correct information.
  • Never drive if your driver’s licence is expired or suspended, and make sure that anyone who drives your vehicle has a valid driver’s licence.
  • Don’t drive when you’re impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Remember, your Basic Autoplan insurance only covers you in Canada and the U.S.