Every motorist in British Columbia must purchase Basic Auto Insurance for their automobile from ICBC. The automobile insurance product sold by ICBC is called “Autoplan”.The compulsory portion is referred to as ‘Basic Autoplan’.

Basic Autoplan makes sure that all drivers in BC have some insurance coverage. But most BC motorists buy extra optional coverages for themselves, their automobiles, and any excess equipment they may have added to their vehicle. Although optional auto insurance coverages may be purchased from ICBC, a number of insurance companies in British Columbia also offer optional auto insurance coverage, sometimes referred to as ‘Private Auto Insurance.’

Basic Autoplan Insurance, which every motorist must have, consists of the following:

• Third-Party Liability, covers you for any bodily injury or property damage you may cause to others, and are held legally responsible for. With Basic Autoplan Insurance, you have a limit of $200,000 on this coverage. This is the minimum coverage that you must have on a BC-registered vehicle, though some commercial vehicles may require a higher limit be carried. Third-Party Liability does not cover damage to property carried in the vehicle, property you own or rent, or operation of attached equipment at a workplace;
• Accident Benefits, provides medical and wage loss insurance if you are injured from a motor vehicle crash. This is no-fault insurance; you are covered regardless of who was at fault. Benefits are payable to all passengers of a vehicle licensed and insured in BC, and they also apply to any named Autoplan policy holder or family member who is injured as a pedestrian or cyclist. This coverage extends throughout Canada, as long as they are hit by a BC-insured vehicle;
• Underinsured Motorist Protection protects you in particular circumstances for up to $1 million in the event that a motorist who causes an accident doesn’t hold sufficient insurance to cover all property damage and injuries caused to you, if they have insurance at all;
• Protection Against Hit-and-Run and Uninsured MotoristsProtection Against Hit-and-Run and Uninsured Motorists is a function of BC’s Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act. It automatically covers BC residents who are injured or killed, or whose property is damaged by a hit-and-run, or an uninsured driver up to a maximum of $200,000. This is separate from basic, compulsory insurance, and is available to all residents of BC, whether or not they own or insure a vehicle;
• Inverse Liability Coverage protects you when you are in an accident outside of BC in an area of Canada or the US where local laws will not allow you to recover losses from a driver who causes a crash. If you have an accident in one of these areas, Inverse Liability Coverage will pay for the cost of repairs to your vehicle, to the degree that the other driver was held responsible.

For additional information please visit www.icbc.com/autoplan

* All coverages are subject to limitations and exclusions. Please speak to a licensed insurance agent, read the policy wordings and the certificate of insurance for definitions, limitations and exclusions.