ICBC Insurance & Stuff - Archives

26Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe 7 Comments

Crossing Borders: Can Canadians Drive in the US?

Canadian Drivers in the US Are you wondering if Canadian drivers, like newbies with L (learner) or N (new driver) licenses, or experienced ones with Class 5 licenses, can drive into the United States for an exciting adventure? The good news is, yes, you can explore both Canada and the United States with these licenses. But here's the deal: You should always have your license with you, just in case someone needs to see it. Stick to the regular rules and restrictions that apply to your particular license type. And it's a smart move to learn about any special rules in the place you're going to in the United States. Some places have age restrictions for new and learner drivers. Let's dive into the details. You can drive in the…

25Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC Drivers Abstract Online – How to Get Yours Fast & Easy

Insurance & Laws

ICBC Drivers Abstract Online What is an ICBC Drivers Abstract? It's simply your driving record Kind of like your report card for driving. It shows: The date your driver's license was first issued Driving tickets you have received in the last 5 years Any driving offenses you've received in the last 5 years To get your ICBC driving records To get your ICBC driver's abstract, simply head over to the ICBC website, and enter your driver's license number and name, ICBC keyword, date of issue, and card serial number (on the back of your driver's license). Then enter where you'd like the records to be emailed. You can have them emailed to yourself and/or directly to another email address of your choice (such as an employer). Within minutes, the email…

19Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe 9 Comments

BC Class 4 License ICBC

Insurance & Laws

What is a BC Class 4 License? The Class 4 License in BC is a driver's license that has two options: Restricted Class 4 for driving vehicles with up to nine passengers (taxi, limousine, ambulance, Uber, Lyft), and Unrestricted Class 4 for driving vehicles and buses with a seating capacity of no more than 25 people including the driver (school buses, Handy Dart, etc.) How Much Does it Cost to Get a BC Class 4 License? $15 for a Class 4 knowledge test $40 for the road test $28 for the commercial medical processing fee The cost of replacing your current driver's license with a Class 4 credential ($17, or $75 for a new license if the current expiry date is within 6 months) The cost of Class 4 driving…

01Jan 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Reporting Dangerous Drivers in BC – The Simple Guide

Insurance & Laws

Reporting Reckless Drivers In the picturesque province of British Columbia, where lush forests meet breathtaking mountain ranges and stunning coastlines, the roads wind through some of the most spectacular scenery in Canada. But amid this natural beauty, a concerning issue lurks – dangerous drivers who pose a serious threat to road safety. The need to address reckless behavior on our highways and byways has never been more critical. From the bustling streets of Vancouver to the remote stretches of the Trans-Canada Highway, we all share the responsibility of ensuring safe travels for ourselves and our fellow citizens. In this article, we delve deep into the issue of reporting dangerous drivers in British Columbia, exploring why it matters, how it can make a difference, and what actions you can take to…

04Jan 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

How ICBC Claims Work – Ultimate Guide to the Process

Insurance & Laws

How ICBC Claims Work Introduction Wondering how ICBC claims work? ICBC collision claims are relevant if you have been involved in a crash with another vehicle, if you've experienced a hit-and-run, or if you've hit an object that caused damage to your vehicle. In this epic article, we will discuss collision as well as comprehensive claims. ICBC collision coverage ICBC Collision coverage is an optional coverage that is available. If you purchased this, then most (or all) of your vehicle's repair costs are covered when you have a collision. If you're responsible for a crash and cause damage to someone else's vehicle, their ICBC Basic insurance will cover the repairs to their vehicle. You can also get collision and comprehensive insurance from alternative sources. How ICBC Claims Work - Steps in…

01Jan 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

Collisions with Wildlife in BC – How to Report a Collision

Insurance & Laws

Collisions with Wildlife in British Columbia No one wants a collision with wildlife, but sometimes, it happens, especially in beautiful British Columbia where we have many highways that may have many different animals lurking around the edges or right in the middle of the roads. While driving in beautiful British Columbia, you might encounter: Bears Deer Moose Cattle Wild Horses Bison Mountain Goats Bighorn Sheep Ram (Not the Dodge variety) Elk Caribou Smaller animals Watch for Wildlife Road Signs CARIBOU ELK RAM MOUNTAIN GOATS/BIGHORN SHEEP BISON WILD HORSES CATTLE MOOSE DEER BEAR DEER What happens if you hit a deer in BC? If you hit a deer or another wild animal in British Columbia, or if you see a dead animal on the road, it's best to call the local…

01Jan 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

British Columbia Driver License & Vehicle Guide Class 1-5

Insurance & Laws

Welcome to British Columbia Driver License Guide In this easy British Columbia Driver License Guide, we get into the different driver license Classes in beautiful BC and break down what types of vehicles a driver may drive with each Class of license. For a similar article, check out our guide to the BC Class 7 "N" Restrictions, or What is the Graduated Licensing Program? Class 5 or 7 driver's license Class 5 is the most common driver's license for regular passenger vehicles in British Columbia. Class 7L is a learner's permit that allows folks to practice their driving skills to prepare for the first road test. In order to get a Class 7L license, folks must be 16 at least years old and pass a vision screening test with ICBC.…

29Dec 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

U-Turns British Columbia & Beyond – Laws and Alternatives

Insurance & Laws

Is U-Turn Allowed in BC? U-turns are forbidden while driving in British Columbia if they interfere with other traffic, if they're on a curve or hill, if they're at an intersection controlled by a traffic control signal, and anywhere in a business district unless the turn is made at an intersection without traffic lights. Let's dive into the details a bit more. British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act In the British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act (the law in BC) section 168 discusses U-turns: 168 Except as provided by the bylaws of a municipality or the laws of a treaty first nation, the Nisg̱a'a Nation or a Nisg̱a'a Village, a driver must not turn a vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction (a) unless the driver can do so without interfering…

04Dec 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Is It Illegal To Drive With One Hand On The Wheel?

Insurance & Laws

Is It Illegal To Drive With One Hand On The Wheel? No, it's not illegal to drive with only one hand on the wheel, at least not in beautiful British Columbia as there is no law written against it. However, of course, two is better to control the car with. And it's good to know that ICBC will fail drivers for driving with only one hand on the wheel, even if the rest of their driving is absolutely perfect. So that says something about what ICBC thinks about it, I suppose. The only time drivers are allowed to use only one hand (and that would be the left hand) on the wheel on the ICBC road test is when they are backing up in a straight line. That's it. When…

12Nov 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Left on a Red Light in British Columbia

Insurance & Laws

Left on Red Light in British Columbia *This information regarding turning left on a red light, is relevant to British Columbia, Canada, and may not apply to other provinces, states, countries, or planets. Left on a Red light at Two-Way Streets You can not turn left at a red light if you're turning onto a one-way street (it's illegal). Left on a Red Light at One-Way Streets You may turn left on a red light from a one-way street onto another one-way street or from a two-way street onto a one-way street. Treat it as you would a right turn on a red light. You must completely stop and yield to others before proceeding. Check for turning restriction signs. You Can Turn Left on a Red Light from One-Way Street…

28Oct 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Turn Signal on Behalf of the Car Ahead While Driving?

Insurance & Laws

Q: Someone I know uses the turn signal to signal if a car in front of us is turning. I say we shouldn't because the vehicle behind us will then expect us to turn. We should only signal what we are doing in our vehicle, correct? That sounds very strange to me! You're right, brake lights should do the trick and a signal when you aren't turning could easily get you into trouble... What happens after the car in front turns, you then suddenly turn off your turn signal and continue straight ahead? when oncoming traffic thinks you're turning and so do the cars behind and all around you? This sounds pretty dangerous if you ask me. Just my opinion.. Also it should be common knowledge that when driving in a left lane,…

11Oct 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

What is Roadside Plus with ICBC? Optional Insurance

Insurance & Laws

What is Roadside Plus with ICBC? ICBC optional insurance packages RoadStar and Roadside Plus packages are optional products. They offer insurance coverage locally and while you are traveling. If you have ICBC Roadside Plus insurance package, you can be reimbursed up to $50 for emergency roadside expenses. There is a limit of two claims per policy term. The protection provided under Roadside Plus applies only to a lossthat occurs in Canada or the U.S. or on a vessel travelingbetween Canada and the U.S. What expenses qualify for ICBC Roadside Plus? Roadside emergencies that qualify for repayment include: Mechanical breakdowns Locking your keys in your vehicle A flat tire Jump-starting a dead battery If your vehicle has been towed due to a mechanical breakdown (not a car crash), coverage includes the cost of…

03Oct 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

How Does ICBC Work? New To Vancouver, BC – Top 15 FAQ’s

Insurance & Laws

1. Is ICBC The Only Insurance Company in BC? ICBC is a crown corporation and has been in effect since 1973 in British Columbia. It serves as the primary insurer for all BC drivers. It's not the only insurance company in BC, but it's the only one that all drivers must get their basic auto insurance from. If you're new to beautiful Vancouver, or beautiful British Columbia, you may be confused as to how ICBC works. Even for people that live here, ICBC can be confusing. So how does ICBC work? We will go through some common FAQ's about this 'crown corporation' known as the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. Also check out: British Columbia Driver License & Vehicle Guide. 2. Is ICBC Insurance Mandatory? Basic car insurance, known as…

02Oct 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Metrotown ICBC Driver Licensing – Hours, Info, + More

Insurance & Laws

The Burnaby, Metrotown ICBC driver licensing office is located inside Metrotown Mall & is often very busy. It's a good idea to book an appointment online. Walk-in service is limited. Road tests are not done at this location. It is located next to The Bay on the ground level. https://twitter.com/stephenbraverm1/status/1449414774832304140 232 - 4820 Kingsway Burnaby V5H4P2 (800) 950-1498 Mon8:30 am - 6:00 pmTue8:30 am - 6:00 pmWed8:30 am - 6:00 pmThu8:30 am - 6:00 pmFri8:30 am - 6:00 pmSat8:30 am - 6:00 pmSunClosed Holidays - Click Here For Hours ICBC Metrotown Driver Licensing Services Before you go to ICBC Metrotown, maybe you can check and see if what you need to do can be done online, or over the phone. This location is very busy, and some things are restricted…

17Aug 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

New Driver Speeding, Tickets, Prohibitions, Penalties BC

Insurance & Laws

Q: I'm a New Driver, and getting my license in November. I got a speeding ticket in November and got put on probation. Now I just got another ticket in July, so did I automatically just get my license suspended or terminated? And if I dispute the ticket, does that pause anything? It's not good, that is for sure. According to these government guidelines, since this is a second infraction within 2 years, it looks like you're in for a 2-6 month prohibition. New Driver Intervention chart What is more to the point is whether the scheduled road test is more than thirty days after the date of the offense (the illegal turn), because it is my understanding that if a ticket is not disputed, then after thirty days the…

13Jul 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

BC and Alberta Driving Rules – A Simple Comparison

Insurance & Laws

BC and Alberta Driving Rules Check out some of the differences between BC and Alberta driving rules before you go Non-Alberta license for tourists and visitorsA person visiting Alberta who is authorized to drive a motor vehicle of a particular class or type under a valid licence or permit issued outside Alberta is not required to hold a current and valid operator’s licence if the person drives the same type or class of motor vehicle while visiting in Alberta. You can drive in Alberta with your BC license; just follow all of your restrictions BC and Alberta Driving Rules - Turning Right on Red Light BC and Alberta have the same rules regarding the right turn on the red light thing. As usual, these turns are optional, and permitted,…

12Jul 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC Claim Center Surrey – Locations, Hours, More

Insurance & Laws

ICBC Claim Center Surrey Information Are you looking for ICBC Claim Center Surrey, British Columbia? We've got the scoop here. There are two ICBC Claim Centers in Surrey, Beautiful British Columbia. One in Guildford and one in Newton. You can visit whichever one is most convenient to you. Guildford ICBC Claim Center Surrey 10262 - 152A Street (Guildford)Surrey V3R 6T8 Call: (604) 584-3211 Fax: (604) 584-0496 Toll-free: 1-855-884-3211 ICBC Claim Center Surrey Guildford Hours Here are the hours for the ICBC Guildford Claim Center Mon8:30 am - 5:00 pmTue8:30 am - 5:00 pmWed8:30 am - 5:00 pmThu8:30 am - 5:00 pmFri8:30 am - 4:30 pmSatClosedSunClosed Holidays Hours - Click here for hours Newton Claims Center 13665 68 Avenue (Newton)Surrey V3W0Y6 Call: (604) 584-3211 Fax: (604) 584-0496 Toll-free: 1-855-884-3211 ICBC Surrey…

09Jul 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC vs Private Insurance – Discover a Few Friendly Options

Insurance & Laws

Does BC Have Private Car Insurance? ICBC vs private insurance is a thing worth pondering. Yes, BC does have private car insurance, but all drivers are required to get their basic insurance from ICBC, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. ICBC is a crown corporation and has been in effect since 1973 in BC. New to Vancouver or BC? Check out our blog on How Does ICBC Work? Top 15 FAQ's. It serves as the primary insurer for all BC drivers. This is majorly different from countries like the U.S., and other Canadian provinces, where many private insurance companies provide drivers with different options. And while British Columbians don't have an option - everyone must use ICBC for their basic (liability) insurance - you can use a different company for…

05Mar 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC Phone Number Guide – Roadside Assistance & More

Insurance & Laws

For Roadside Plus: For repayment of emergency roadside expenses, you can submit a claim online or complete the Emergency Roadside Expense Repayment form and mail it to ICBC. For roadside assistance, call 1-800-663-3051 within the Lower Mainland, or 1-800-663-3051 elsewhere in British Columbia, Canada, or the U.S. ICBC Phone Number Guide ICBC Department Phone NumberToll-free in B.C., Canada, and the U.S.1-800-663-3051Vancouver & Lower Mainland604-661-2800Roadside Assistance - Vancouver/Lower Mainland1-800-663-3051 Roadside Assistance - BC, Canada, U.S. 1-800-663-3051 Driver Licensing Information - BC, Canada, U.S. 1-800-950-1498Driver Licensing Information - Greater Victoria 250-978-8300Driver Licensing Information - Other countries (collect calls)250-978-8300 Report an ICBC Claim 24/7 - Lower Mainland 604-520-8222Report an ICBC Claim 24/7 - BC, Canada, U.S. 1-800-910-4222Autoplan Insurance - Lower Mainland 604-661-2800Autoplan Insurance - BC, Canada, U.S. 1-800-663-3051Vehicle Damage and Claims History Reports - Lower Mainland 604-661-2233Vehicle Damage…

03Mar 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Who is at Fault if a Car Signals but Doesn’t Turn?

Insurance & Laws

Indicating, but not turning - accident/crash Who is at fault if a car signals but doesn't turn? It's a great question, and I don't have an amazing answer. But I can tell you that from a legal standpoint, turn signals definitely don't give other drivers any right to make assumptions. In other words, it may be the fault of the driver who indicated but didn't turn, the other road user(s), or a combination of both; but more often than not, the fault is decided based on the driving laws, and the traffic control devices at the scene; not so much about turn signals. Turn signals are nice, and we are supposed to always use them when we drive, but at the time time, we are not allowed to trust them.…

01Feb 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Can ICBC Insurance Be Renewed Online? Modern FAQs

Insurance & Laws

Can ICBC Insurance Be Renewed Online? The short answer is: Beginning in May, 2022, British Columbians will be able to renew their auto insurance with ICBC online. Beginning in May, 2022 British Columbians will be able to: Renew personal auto insurance Get a temporary operation permit There will be a few restrictions COVID has sped up ICBC's online insurance model. It is being developed with input from their "Online Broker Task Force." This is made up of ICBC and BC broker community representatives. Regulatory and technical work needs to be done in order for this to happen. This includes consultations that will make sure BC's broker community is ready. Read the Public Safety & Solicitor General news report. ICBC License Plate Decals Changing are coming to the development of regulations…

16Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Car Seat Regulations BC

Insurance & Laws

Car Seat Regulations BC Car Seat Regulations BC Snapshot Infants must be secured in a rear-facing infant seat away from an active frontal air bag until they are at least 12 months old and 9 kg (20 lbs) Children at least 1 year old and 9 kg (20 lbs) to at least 18 kg (40 lbs) must be secured in a child seat Children at least 18 kg (40 lbs) must be secured in a booster seat, up to their 9th birthday or 145 cm (4'9") tall, whichever comes first. It's recommended to keep children in the back seat until 12 years of age Rear-Facing Seats Use from birth until at least one (1) year old and 9 kg (20 lbs). Place in back seat. The back seat is the…

05Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC Vehicle History Reports – Little Bits of Car History

Insurance & Laws

What Are ICBC Vehicle History Reports? If you're considering buying a used, or pre-owned vehicle, ICBC vehicle history reports can help you to make a good decision and find out a little bit about the history of the vehicle. You can get two kinds of vehicle history reports, and you can order them online: ICBC Vehicle History Report - $20.00 + GST CARFAX Canada Report - $80.95 + GST The difference between these is basically that the ICBC Vehicle History Reports show you claims information from British Columbia only, and the CARFAX Canada reports provide claims information from across North America. The ICBC Vehicle History Report will show you: Any vehicle damages that were claimed through ICBCThe date and dollar amounts of any damages The primary area on the vehicle…

05Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

How ICBC Points Work – More Than 3 Can Hurt the Bank

Insurance & Laws

Welcome to How ICBC Points Work In short, how ICBC points work by adding extra fees onto a driver's record after driving offenses or crashes. These can add up to terribly large amounts of money on your driving record if you are found not to be behaving. For a related article, check out British Columbia Driver's License & Vehicle Guide. Four points will cost $252 50 points will cost $34,560... (not even kidding) ICBC points are not cheap What Are ICBC Points? At first, "points" may almost sound like a good thing. But they're definitely not. ICBC points are given to drivers who basically get into some kind of trouble with ICBC. ICBC points = extra ICBC bills. In other words, paying ICBC even more money than you already are.…

04Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC Claim Centre Information – Locations, Phone Numbers +..

Insurance & Laws

Are you looking for an ICBC Claim Centre? Find a location and contact information right here. ICBC Claim Centre Burnaby 4399 Wayburne Drive, V5G3X7, (604) 438-1431, Map ICBC Claim Centre Coquitlam 100 Blue Mountain Street, V3K1A2, (604) 525-0511 Map575 Hartley Avenue, V3K6Z7, (604) 777-4500 Map ICBC Claim Centre New Westminster 1320 Third Avenue, V3M5T4, (604) 522-3552 Map ICBC Claim Centre Surrey 10262 - 152A Street (Guildford) V3R6T8, (604) 584-3211 Map13665 68 Avenue (Newton) V3W0Y6, (604) 597-7600 Map ICBC Claim Centre Vancouver 999 Kingsway, V5V4Z7, (604) 872-3622 Map456 West 5th Avenue, V5Y3Z3, (604) 871-2300 Map ICBC Claim Centre North Vancouver 255 Lloyd Avenue, V7P3G5, (604) 986-6141 Map Richmond 7200 Elmbridge Way, V6X2Y1,(604) 273-9242 Map Maple Ridge 22811 Dewdney Trunk Road, V2X9J7, (604) 463-3999 Map Langley 6000 Production Way, V3A6L5, (604) 530-7111…

01Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Lasik, Corrective Eye Surgery, ICBC & Removing Restriction 21

Insurance & Laws

Eye Surgery and Driving License Q: I recently got Lasik surgery. I don't need to wear glasses or contact lenses to drive. How can I get the restriction 21 (corrective lenses required) removed? And what are the steps and fees? Thanks. Evaluation of Visual Function I've been told, that you can probably ask ICBC for an EVF form (Evaluation of Visual Function). Once that's completed by an ophthalmology expert, the restriction should be lifted by visiting ICBC. Possibly, asking for a re-examination in the license office would be sufficient. One thing is for certain... the restriction will remain on your license even though the reason for the restriction no longer exists until you do something to change it. I imagine it would be mighty awkward being pulled over without glasses/contacts and trying…

29Dec 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Removing Sunglasses When Driving Through a Tunnel

Insurance & Laws

Q: A friend of mine, who wears tinted prescription glasses (she is albino and hypersensitive to light) was finger-wagged by a friendly RCMP officer while driving through the Massey Tunnel. Some sources I have read say that even prescription sunglasses are "supposed" to be swapped for regular lenses when going through a tunnel, but...what if the tinting is medically required? Is there a bylaw fine attached, since it's not in the BC MVA? And doesn't swapping glasses constitute a driving distraction? This may all be academic, but we're curious. Help! Good question. What colour is the sign that tells you to remove your sunglasses through the tunnel? (All obvious reasons to remove sunglasses while driving through a dark tunnel aside). Technically if the sign is white and black, then it's…

24Jul 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Tinted Front Windows on Vehicles – What You Need to Know

Insurance & Laws

"Vancouver Police ‏@VancouverPD Tuesday Traffic Test Answer: Vehicle windows can be tinted from the driver's shoulders back, but NOT forward of the driver." Interesting! So this means, absolutely no tinting of your front windshield whatsoever. Driver's side windows? I suppose this would technically depend on the size of the driver and the size of the vehicle. Who would be bothered to tint 1/2 their window? (Don't answer that). This is a safety concern. If the drivers window is tinted, it can make it impossible to get eye contact. Eye contact is one the many requirements for defensive driving. If you have no idea which way a driver is looking, then it's impossible to predict whether that driver is a threat to you or not. Windows that come lightly tinted from the…

18Jun 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

What To Do After A Car Accident – 13 Quick Safety Pointers

Insurance & Laws

what to do after a car accident Sometimes, despite all of your defensive driving techniques, a crash still happens. First thing, don't panic. Follow these tips for what to do after a car accident. And know that you aren't the only one. 1. What To Do After A Car Accident - Stop and Do not leave the scene Firstly, this may sound obvious but be sure to stop and stay there. Never leave the scene of an accident. In most places this is an offence. If the other car(s) or drivers leave, try to record the license plate number so authorities can locate them. 2. What To Do After A Car Accident - Check Your Surroundings And Stay Calm Check to make sure no one is injured or hurt. Turn…

18Jun 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Is It Illegal To Drive In Flip Flops? For Sure Choose Shoes

Insurance & Laws

Bare Feet & Flip Flops In Summertime Is it illegal to drive in flip flops? What about bare feet? It turns out that driving in flip flops or bare feet is not illegal in most places. However, driving is serious business and driving in flip flops has great potential for disaster. Driving in bare feet or flip flops may lead you needing to read about what to do after a car crash. They can slip off in an instant - and in that instant someone could be killed. Sorry for being dramatic, but it's true. In addition, it's good to know that you could still be charged with careless driving if your footwear decision causes you to drive erratically. It's recommended to drive in proper driving shoes, or keep some…

11Mar 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

What Are Car Insurance Premiums?

Insurance & Laws

1. What does a premium mean for car insurance? What are car insurance premiums? It's a good question, and it sounds like something very fancy, doesn't it? In reality, your car insurance premium is simply the amount you have to pay in exchange for your insurance. You can often pay monthly or yearly, or perhaps on a different schedule. 2. How Are Car Insurance Premiums Calculated? When wondering 'what are car insurance premiums' you might wonder how they are calculated. Auto insurers typically use several factors to determine your car insurance rates. Some factors include: The make of your car (Honda, Cadillac) Model of your vehicle (Civic, Escalade) Year of your carThe driving records of people who are insured to drive the car Where you live What Are Car Insurance…

09Mar 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

What Is Comprehensive On Car Insurance? Why You May Want It

Insurance & Laws

Comprehensive Insurance Meaning What is comprehensive on car insurance? Surely the world of insurance can be confusing. And it doesn't help when people use big, boring words to explain everything. Comprehensive car insurance is a type of partial insurance coverage that you can get as an option, unlike liability insurance which is required by law in most areas. It basically covers events that are not in your control. In other words, 'everything else' that isn't a crash, or an event as the result of your driving, or a liability. What is Comprehensive on Car Insurance - What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover? Insurance policies vary, but comprehensive car insurance typically covers damage caused by the following: FireWindHailFloodTheft or damage done by attempted theft VandalismFalling or flying objects (I'm not sure if…

07Mar 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

What Is Liability Car Insurance- Discover $200K-5M Necessity

Insurance & Laws

Auto Insurance - What is Liability Car Insurance? What is liability car insurance, you're wondering? Sometimes insurance companies make it sound complicated, but it's not too bad. We will explain it all here. For me, liability falls into the category of 'I'd rather not think about it,' but as drivers, we kind of have to. Liability is the part of insurance that covers losses that a vehicle causes to other people. For example - Injury to another person/people Death to another person/people Damage your vehicle causes to other vehicles In some cases, it may even cover lost wages & legal fees if the other person files a lawsuitProperty that may have been damaged in the collision, for example fences, buildings, phone poles, etc. In other words, if there's a collision…

22Feb 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Driving High – The Truth & Why It’s Sketchy

Insurance & Laws

Can I Do It? It's a fair enough question. Wondering about driving high is probably on more people's mind than I'd like to think. The short answer is: it is illegal to drive while impaired In Canada, drug-impaired driving has been illegal for a very long time; since 1925 in fact. Remember the basic facts. Driving while impaired by anything is illegal. This - of course - includes driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs. These alcohol and drugs may be legal or illegal. It doesn't matter. If you're impaired, you're impaired. Some people take Benadryl. Those people might be impaired, too. Certain people are simply impaired by taking 'too much' or 'too little' of a prescription medication. Being Tired Is the same as being drunk I've also read numerous…

20Dec 2020 by Carmen Cohoe

Is It Illegal to Drive with High Beams?

Insurance & Laws

Here is a question we get asked a lot. And it's a good one. Is it illegal to drive with high beams in BC? High beams are literally higher beams, so they can tend to blind the people driving towards you. And if you think about that, it's a bit scary! Legally in BC, you must dim your high beams whenever you are within 150 meters of another vehicle. This includes vehicle in front of you going the same direction or opposite direction. I'm not sure how many people can accurately judge 150 meters when they're driving - let alone when they are not driving - so be courteous and dim your high beams when you encounter other drivers and pedestrians. It makes sense why it's illegal to drive with…

22Oct 2020 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC Penticton, British Columbia

Insurance & Laws

Looking for some ICBC Penticton Information? You have come to the right place in the great land of the internet. ICBC Penticton - JUST The Facts The ICBC Penticton is located together with the Penticton Service BC Centre. Address for ICBC Penticton & Service BC Centre 40 Calgary Ave.Penticton, British Columbia, Canada V2A2T6 Phone: 250 487-4200 Fax: 250 487-4222 ICBC Penticton Hours of Operation Mon9:00 am - 4:30 pmTue9:00 am - 4:30 pmWed9:00 am - 4:30 pmThu9:00 am - 4:30 pmFri9:00 am - 4:30 pmSatClosedSunClosedOffice is closed for mandatory cleaning during these times: 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Holidays - Click here for hours Do you need to book your knowledge test? If you need to go for your knowledge test at ICBC, you'll need to make an appointment in…

17Aug 2016 by Carmen Cohoe

Insurance Question: Crashing Your Friends’ Car

Insurance & Laws

Crashing Your Friends' Car? Comment: Does insurance cover me if I crash my friends car if she knew I was driving it? Hi, well that's not nice! Good question though. Here is what I could find from ICBC on their FAQ Page. It looks like if you do crash it, it may cost your friend more money for her insurance. ICBC ICBC - Lending a Vehicle When you lend your car to your friends, they'll be covered under your insurance, so long as they're just driving for pleasure. You don't have to worry about buying extra coverage or changing your policy—all you need to do is hand over the keys. Please keep in mind though, if the worst happens and they get in a crash,…

11Apr 2015 by Carmen Cohoe

Passing on the Right to Turn Right

Insurance & Laws

Do not pass on the right to turn right, Accept your sometimes-given right to pass on the right! Hi, I had 2 quick questions. 1. At an intersection where it's only 1 lane each way, theres is often room to create 2 lanes, so the right lane can turn right. I do this purely out of convenience but I assume is in fact illegal, right? 2. I have a bad habit of resting my hands on my lap at a red light at an intersection. Would I fail if I did this, because even though I'm not moving, my hands aren't on the wheel at all times? Technically it's illegal to pass on the right unless the car in front is turning left, as per the law here: Passing on…

Category: Insurance & Laws