Choosing a policy length

Vehicle insurance policies can last from one day to one year, so you have lots of options to meet your needs.

​One-year policyThis is the option most customers choose, and many use our Autoplan payment plan​ to spread the cost over a year. Our payment plan lets you choose between monthly and quarterly payments for one-year policies.Short-term Autoplan policy
- 3 to 11 months​​When your vehicle won't be on the road for a full year, a short-term policy might be your best choice. You'll pay a small surcharge, but the total cost will be less than a full-year policy.Temporary Operation Permit
- 1 to 15 days​ ​This is a good option if you only need a few days of coverage. If you're going to need several TOPs, you may save yourself money by buying a three-month policy. Talk to your broker about the best options for you.

​Adding drivers to your policy

In our insurance model, crashes follow drivers, not vehicles. By listing those who drive your vehicle, you're making sure that the right person is held accountable in the event of a crash.

When you buy or renew your policy, you'll be asked to list drivers who use your vehicle. You'll need the following information for each driver you want to list:

• Their B.C. driver's licence number

• If they don't have a B.C. licence, their name, licence number and jurisdiction that issued the licence

• Their date of birth

• Whether or not they're an employee or household member of the vehicle's principal driver or its registered owner/lessee

If you occasionally lend your car to drivers who aren't listed on your policy, you can add Unlisted Driver Protection to your policy. It covers drivers who occasionally use your vehicle and can be added to your policy at no additional cost, as a long as an unlisted driver has not caused a crash using any of your vehicles.

If you're curious about the driving history of someone you plan to list, you can ask them to send you their driver factor report.

If you want to see how your listed drivers will impact your renewal, you can estimate your insurance costs with our online tool.

Renewing early

You can renew your insurance early, up to 44 days before your insurance policy expires. If you use the ICBC payment plan, your payments don't get withdrawn until your actual renewal date.​​

When it's time to renew, you'll get a reminder in the mail will include coverage and vehicle information, and a section for adding drivers to your policy.

You can renew your policy:

• In person: you can renew at any Autoplan broker’s office in B.C.

• Online: if you’ve got an eligible policy​, you can renew it online at ren​ew.icbc.com.

• Over the phone: contact any Autoplan broker to renew over the phone. You may also be able to renew by email, but check with your broker to determine if that’s an option. ​​

When you need to update your insurance

Be sure the information on your policy is correct and current. If it isn't, you may not be covered if you have a claim.

Talk to your local broker if you're:

• Adding or removing drivers

• Moving (even within the same community) or temporarily relocating

• Changing the way you use your vehicle (for example, you start driving to work or school)

• Driving a different vehicle

• Modifying your vehicle (for example, changing its colour, chassis, fuel type)

Other factors can also affect your insurance, so please ask your broker if you have any other changes. ​

What to know about buying insurance