Auto Insurance in British Columbia
What You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in BC?
With over 250,000 automobile collisions occurring throughout British Columbia (BC) each year, top-quality auto insurance is crucial to protect you, your family, and your assets. From day-to-day driving to long, cross-country journeys, we offer the best rates on car insurance to ensure protection is accessible to everyone. To partner up with a BC auto insurance company that cares about your wellbeing, Goldleaf Insurance is here to offer you the best.
Car Insurance Coverage in British Columbia
While auto-insurance is required across Canada, each province has their own mandates and regulations. In BC, drivers are required to have basic auto insurance provided by the public insurance company, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). However, it is highly recommended that drivers attain additional coverage through private insurance brokerages, such as Goldleaf Insurance.
Accident benefits may cover property and medical costs depending on your mandatory coverage and optional auto insurance. Also, find out in detail what commercial auto insurance covers in BC.
Collision Insurance
Collision insurance goes toward the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle should it be damaged or destroyed in an accident involving another car. Regardless of who is at fault, both cars are protected when involved in automobile crashes; unlike basic BC auto insurance which only pays for the damage of another person’s car should you be at fault.
Comprehensive Insurance
Should your car be damaged unexpectedly, comprehensive insurance ensures that the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle are completely covered up to the car’s actual cash value. If incidences such as falling or flying objects, theft, fire, vandalism, natural disasters, riots, or civil disobedience leave your car damaged or destroyed, comprehensive auto insurance is here to protect you.
Emergency Roadside Assistance
Emergency roadside assistance is an add-on form of insurance that protects you should your vehicle break down. Should you need it, a professional technician will come to your location to provide roadside repairs, towing, or any other form of roadside assistance to ensure you and your car get off the side of the road safely.
Specified Perils
The more affordable alternative to comprehensive auto insurance, specified perils allows you to pay for the level of coverage you need. From theft, fire, earthquake, or explosion to extreme weather conditions such as windstorms, lightening, hail, and rising water, specified perils auto insurance protects you from paying out of pocket for these losses and damages.
All Perils
An optional type of auto insurance, this is the most extensive, top-quality auto insurance you can get. Combining both collision and comprehensive coverage, this plan includes protection for all risks unless specifically excluded in your BC auto insurance policy.
What Car Insurance Do I Need to Have in BC?
For BC drivers, basic auto insurance provided by ICBC is mandatory should you own and operate a motor vehicle. This coverage includes:
- Third-party liability
- Accident benefits
- Uninsured motorist protection
While basic insurance is required, it is highly recommended that drivers obtain additional forms of BC auto insurance, either from private insurance brokerages or directly from insurance companies. This can include:
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Extended third-party liability
- Loss of use
- Rental vehicle coverage
- New vehicle protection
Why Choose Us As Your Insurance Company in BC
At Goldleaf Insurance, we are proud to offer customizable, reliable, and cheap auto insurance to our customers. Depending on the level and type of BC auto insurance you need, our experts can provide a plan that is tailored to you. Independently owned, we are the most proactive and dynamic insurance brokerage in Canada, committed to protecting you, your family, and your vehicle from expensive repair and replacement costs.
How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in British Columbia
If you are a new BC resident and have a valid driver’s license from another province or country, you can legally use it for the first 90 days. Within these 90 days, you must apply for a BC license should your residency exceed this three-month window. If you are an international student or temporary foreign worker, you are eligible to drive with a valid license from your home country for up to 12 months. After this time, you will be required to apply for a BC driver’s license.
If you have never had a driver’s license, here is how you get one in BC:
1. Shop and Compare
Rather than opt for auto-renewal, use the time between policy dates to explore auto insurance plans. There may be new promotions or discounts available, so ask your insurance broker about the options available to you to get the best deal.
2. Stay with Your Current Insurer
Rather than switch between insurers, choose one of Canada’s leading auto insurance companies, such as Goldleaf, and stick with them. Insurance companies offer exclusive deals and perks to loyal policyholders; therefore, the longer you stay, the better the benefits.
3. Bundle Your Policies
Using the same insurance company for multiple forms of coverage can help you save overall. For example, bundling your home and auto insurance can get you a discount between 5% to 15%.
4. Get a Multi-Car Discount
As one of Canada’s leading auto insurance providers, we love to provide discounts to our customers. One way to do so is by insuring multiple cars with our brokerage to save up to 15% on your auto insurance.
5. Increase Your Deductible
If you choose a low deductible, the cost of your car insurance premium will increase substantially. However, if you choose a higher deductible, you can lower this premium to save money overall.
6. Ask About Discounts
Don’t hesitate to ask more from your car insurance brokers. There are deals available to help save you money, including discounts for young drivers, experienced drivers, groups, combined policies, retirees, students, renewal contracts, winter tires, and more.
7. Pay Premiums Annually, Instead of Monthly
If you can afford to make larger annual payments rather than smaller monthly ones, you can avoid the rate fees that come with paying monthly.
8. Maintain a Good Driving Record
The better you drive, the lower your auto insurance will be. Safe driving can get you the best rates on car insurance, so avoid speeding, distracted driving, DUIs, automobile crashes, etc., for the wellbeing of yourself and your wallet.
9. Install Winter Tires
BC is no stranger to snowy weather. To keep you and your car safe – while also saving on the cost of BC auto insurance – install winter tires on your vehicle to be eligible for applicable discounts.
How to Get a British Columbia Driver’s Licence?
If you are a new BC resident and have a valid driver’s license from another province or country, you can legally use it for the first 90 days. Within these 90 days, you must apply for a BC license should your residency exceed this three-month window. If you are an international student or temporary foreign worker, you are eligible to drive with a valid license from your home country for up to 12 months. After this time, you will be required to apply for a BC driver’s license.
If you have never had a driver’s license, here is how you get one in BC:
Learner’s licence (or level one) eligibility criteria
A learner’s licence, commonly referred to as an “L” is the first stage to becoming a driver in BC. Applicants must be at least 16 years old, and those who are under 19 need a parent or guardian to accompany them. To obtain a learner’s license, applicants must pass a multiple-choice knowledge test. This allows them to drive with a supervising driver for at least 12 months before taking a road test to graduate to a higher level of driver’s license.
The restrictions of driving with a learner’s licence include:
- Drivers must display a red, magnetic “L” on the back of their vehicle when driving to alert other drivers of their learning status
- Driving with the supervision of a driver who is 25 years or older, has a valid full license, and is in the passenger seat while the learner is driving
- Alcohol and drug consumption is strictly prohibited
- A limit of one additional passenger in the vehicle, other than the supervising driver
- No driving between midnight to 5 a.m.
- No use of handheld electronic devices (e.g., phones)
Novice licence (or level two) eligibility criteria
The next stage is obtaining a novice license, commonly referred to as an “N.” Applicants must pass a 45-minute Class 7 road test to get their novice license to assess their driving ability. To practice for the road test, applicants can take professional driving lessons or drive with an experienced and qualified driver in various driving conditions to best prepare. Should the applicant pass the Class 7 road test, they will receive a novice license that allows them to legally drive on their own.
The restrictions included when driving with a novice licence are:
- Drivers must display a green, magnetic “N” on the back of their vehicle
- Alcohol and drug consumption is strictly prohibited
- Outside of immediate family, there is a limit of one additional passenger allowed in the vehicle unless supervised by a driver who has their full license and is over the age of 25
- No use of handheld electronic devices (e.g., phones)
Full licence (or level three) eligibility criteria
Obtaining a full Class 5 driver’s license is the final step in BC’s graduation program. Drivers can apply for their full license after they have driven for 2 or more years and completed the Class 5 road test. This 45-minute Class 5 road test will demonstrate that the applicant has all the necessary skills and experience to be considered a Class 5 driver, such as excellent vehicle control, parking, merging and highway driving, hazard awareness, and more.
The restrictions included when driving with a full licence are:
- That every car driven by a Class 5 driver must have basic auto insurance
- Drivers cannot have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level that exceeds 0.05 per cent
Goldleaf Insurance
Address: 13049 76 Ave #102, Surrey, BC V3W 2V7
Phone: (604) 591 6200
Email: info@goldleafinsurance.ca
Open hours:
Monday – Friday, 9a.m.–11p.m.
Saturday, 9a.m.–10p.m.
Sunday, 9a.m.–9p.m.
FAQ
Do I Need Auto Insurance in British Columbia?
If you own and drive a motor vehicle in BC, it is required that you have basic auto insurance from ICBC. Additional coverage from an insurance brokerage or private insurance company is strongly encouraged for optimal protection.
Does My Car Insurance Cover Me If I Driver for Uber or Lyft?
As a rideshare driver for Uber or Lyft, you will continue to pay for your personal auto insurance coverage. This will provide coverage while using your vehicle for both personal use and while driving with Uber and Lyft services.
Is Roadside Assistance Required in BC?
The cost of BC auto insurance is influenced by a variety of factors, such as injury claims, lawsuits, vehicle repair liabilities, etc. This affects base rates across most insurance companies. However, depending on the level of coverage you need and your eligibility for certain cost-saving benefits, you can enjoy cheap auto insurance provided by our team at Goldleaf Insurance.
How Long Do Driving Offences Stay on My Driving Record in BC?
Winter tires or chains are required between October 1st to April 30th when driving most routes throughout BC. In addition to improving your safety, having winter tires between these months can lower your insurance costs.
