Insurance renewals

Can all ICBC policies be renewed online?

Broadly speaking, an ICBC policy may be eligible for online renewal if it’s a personal policy that’s due for renewal in 44 days or less and there’s only one vehicle owner who doesn’t plan on making changes to their coverage.

However, there may be circumstances where a policy that meets the above criteria still isn’t eligible for online renewal, for example, if the customer has outstanding debt owed to ICBC.

If you’re not sure if you can renew online, contact an Autoplan broker.

What kinds of policies cannot be renewed online?

You cannot renew your policy online if:

• It’s for a jointly owned vehicle

• It's for a leased vehicle

• It’s for a company-owned vehicle

• It’s for a motorcycle

• It's for a trailer

• It’s for a collector vehicle

• It’s a commercial policy 

• It’s expired

• You want to add, remove or change your ICBC optional coverages during the renewal

• You have outstanding debt owed to ICBC

The list above describes some of the most common scenarios where a policy would be ineligible for online renewal. It is not reflective of all ineligibility scenarios and isn’t intended to provide specific information or advice about individual policies.

If you have questions or want to renew a policy that’s ineligible for online renewal, contact an Autoplan broker.

If my policy is eligible, can I make changes to my coverage while renewing online?

No, you’ll need to contact a broker if you want to make coverage changes during your renewal.  

However, you’ll be able to update your vehicle use, vehicle location, mailing address and listed drivers, if needed, during your online renewal.

Can I change my vehicle use online?

During your online renewal, you’ll be shown a list of vehicle uses: your current vehicle use will be pre-selected.

If your vehicle use has changed, you’ll be able to select a new one from the list. It’s important you select the right use for your vehicle, or you may not have coverage in the event of a crash.

Contact a broker if you want to change your vehicle use to one that isn’t listed online or you’re not sure which vehicle use to select.

What should I do to prepare for an online renewal?

If you haven’t previously used the BC Services Card app or Interac® verification service to log into another online service, we recommend setting up your preferred log-in option at least a few days before you start your renewal.

Both options verify your identity during the initial set-up, and this verification can take up to a few days to complete.

Logging in for the first time? Watch our video about these secure log-in options. 

What information will I need for my renewal?

You may want to gather the following before starting your renewal, if applicable: 

• The birth date and B.C. driver’s licence number of any drivers you’d like to add to your policy during the renewal

• Your vehicle’s odometer reading, if you want to be considered for a usage-based discount. Please note that discount eligibility requires two odometer readings, submitted a year apart.

• Your credit card (to pay in full) or bank account information (to pay in installments) 

If you’ve already started your online renewal and still need to get this information, don’t worry — you can cancel and finish the renewal later, as long as you complete it before your current policy expires.

When can I renew online?

You can renew your policy as early as 44 days before its expiry date. If you choose to renew online, we recommend starting it well before its expiry date. 

If you don’t renew your policy before its expiry date, you will not have coverage. There is no grace period for late renewals.

Watch our video on how to renew your insurance online.

Note: the system is offline 12 a.m.–5 a.m. for daily system maintenance and processing. Customers are not able to log in or complete a renewal during this time period. Additionally, you must be in Canada or the United States to access the system.

How long does an online renewal take?

The average renewal takes about 10 minutes to complete.  

This time doesn’t include time to set up your preferred log-in option or gather any information you might need. 

Can I renew online if I have optional coverage from another insurance provider?

Yes, but only your ICBC coverage will be renewed if you proceed with an online renewal.

You’ll still need to renew your non-ICBC optional coverage with your broker or the insurance provider—it may make more sense for you to renew all at once, with your broker, but it’s up to you.

What happens if I forget to renew or I don’t complete my renewal before my policy expires?

You will not have coverage. Contact your broker as soon as possible.​

What else can I do online once I log in?

In addition to renewing your policy (if it’s eligible), you can: 

• Add drivers with B.C. driver’s licences to your policy, during the renewal

• Select a broker office to review your online renewal after you’ve purchased your policy

• Update your address

Separate from your renewal, you can: 

• Prepare an estimate of changes to your coverage or your listed drivers (or both)

• View and print your insurance documents

• See when your policy expires

Do I still need a decal?

No, you no longer need a decal on your licence plate. 

However, you’ll still need to carry a printed copy of your insurance documents in your vehicle at all times.​

If you’re travelling outside of B.C., you may want to remove any expired decals, as this may draw att​​ention from law enforcement in other jurisdictions.​​

What if I don’t have a printer?

If you don’t have access to a printer, you have two options for obtaining a printed copy of your insurance documents: 

• Request a copy by mail via Canada Post (please allow up to 10 days for delivery)

• Visit any broker office and request a printed copy

You can print them any time before your policy’s effective date.​​

Don’t forget! You'll need to keep your printed insurance documents in your vehicle at all times.

Why do I need to select a broker if I’m renewing online?

After you’ve made your selections and completed your renewal online, the broker you selected has committed to reviewing it, giving you peace of mind.

If you have questions along the way or are planning to make changes to your coverage, you can exit the online renewal and contact your broker for advice.

Will my broker contact me after I’ve finished my online renewal?

It depends. Your broker may have questions about the renewal or notice something that requires further clarification. In that case, they’ll contact you directly within a few days.

However, your renewal is considered complete after you’ve paid.

Can I renew directly with my broker instead?

Yes. You can renew in person at any Autoplan broker’s office or over the phone. 

How do I log in to access my online Autoplan renewal?

You can log in using one of the following secure log-in options:

• Your BC Services Card app on your mobile device

• Your online banking credentials, using the Interac® verification service. Find out if your financial institution is a participant in the network.

What is the BC Services Card app?

The BC Services Card app is used to prove who you are when accessing online government services. Learn how to set up and use the BC Services Card app.

To complete set-up of the BC Services Card app, you must verify your identity. This verification may take a few days, so we recommend completing it well in advance of your policy’s expiry date.

What is the Interac® verification service?

The Interac® verification service is a service that helps you verify your identity quickly and securely from your web browser or smartphone, using personal information that you consent to share from your financial institution (if it’s a participant in the network). Each time you log in, you’ll be able to see the information being shared with ICBC.

When you first log in with the Interac® verification service, you’ll be asked to verify your identity. Subsequent log-ins won’t require this confirmation.

If your browser is in private/incognito mode, you won’t be able to log in with the Interac® verification service.

Interac and the Interac logo are trademarks of Interac Corp. Used under licence.

Do I have to log in with the BC Services Card app or the Interac® verification service?

Yes, these are the two methods available for securely accessing your online Autoplan renewal.

How is my personal information being used?

Personal information provided is collected under section 26 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of confirming your identity. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, please contact Privacy at privacy@icbc.com.

How can I pay for my policy when I renew online?

If you prefer to pay in full, you can pay by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express).

If you prefer to pay through a payment plan, you can enter your account information, typically found at the bottom of a cheque. Your financial institution may also have this information online. 

If you previously paid through a payment plan, you can confirm your existing account details or enter new ones.

All payment transactions are completed securely.​

How do I know my payment was received?

Once you’ve completed your renewal, you’ll be emailed a printable PDF of your insurance documents.​ This email confirms that your payment has been received, whether it's your credit card payment or payment plan.

Your renewal is not considered complete until the premium has been paid.

Can I purchase a new policy or Temporary Operation Permit online?

No, these types of transactions cannot be completed online. Contact a broker’s office for more information.​

Can I change or cancel my active policy online?

No, please contact a broker’s office to change or cancel a policy.