By Pete McIntyre

ICBC insurance renewals to go online

Dec 11, 2020 | 12:51 PM

The Insurance Corporation of B.C. will allow its customers to renew their insurance online starting in May, 2022.

B.C.’s Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for more digital services for customers.

“We know British Columbians want more convenience when they purchase and renew their auto insurance,” Farnworth said. “This is another important step to make ICBC work better for British Columbians. While we make progress toward online renewals, our main focus remains on delivering Enhanced Care coverage and an average 20 per cent reduction in insurance rates for British Columbians.”

The work required for the online services will take place over the coming year. This includes consultations to ensure B.C.’s broker community is ready for the forthcoming changes and the development of regulations that are needed related to the licence plate decal requirement. Decal-related consultations are underway with stakeholders, including brokers, police agencies and road safety partners, and a decision on the future of the decal requirement is expected in 2021.

“Connecting with our customers in the ways they want and providing service options that make them feel supported continue to be an important part of our work,” said Nicolas Jimenez, president and CEO, ICBC. “COVID-19 has accelerated our expansion of digital services for customers, including a shift to email and phone-based insurance transactions. Offering insurance renewals online will make buying insurance even more convenient and flexible.”

Wildfire, Extreme Heat Preparedness

Special workshop for older adults in emergency situations

1h ago

Boston Bar Wildfires

Wildfire smoke could drift into North Okanagan, pose health risk

17h ago

Last Seen June 27

Police asking for help locating missing man

20h ago

In addition to offering email and phone insurance renewal options during the COVID-19 pandemic, ICBC recently launched email sign-up to send important communications like renewal reminders to customers. It has also started direct deposit registration as the latest initiative in its shift to more online services.

Many ICBC services are currently available online: reporting claims, checking claim status, booking driver licensing knowledge and road tests, ordering driver abstracts, making driver licence address changes, and using the insurance premium estimation tool.

The B.C Liberals wonder why the changes are proceeding at “a snail’s pace.”

“Ensuring people can access ICBC services online should be a top priority for the NDP, especially given the fact that B.C.’s broker community has provided their full cooperation to implement online renewals,” said MLA Mike Morris, BC Liberal Critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General. “We saw ICBC quickly implement insurance renewals over the phone when the pandemic hit earlier this year, why would online renewals take this long?

“British Columbians already pay the highest car insurance premiums in the country and the NDP just keep pushing the prospect of online renewals further down the road,” Morris added. “B.C needs to open ICBC up to competition and allow British Columbians with a choice in how they get their vehicle insurance,” Morris added.

Click here to learn more about legislation to offer greater flexibility for the insurance decal.

by Pete McIntyre

View Comments