What Happens if You Forget to Renew Your Car Insurance
With ICBC’s decision to eliminate the need for decals on car insurance renewals, we’ve seen many more vehicles on the road that are uninsured. While ICBC does send out a renewal reminder about 45 days before your expiry, it does not always reach you -either you may have moved or it is simply lost in the mail. Avoid potential issues by renewing car insurance in BC online.
Can I drive without a Car Insurance?
Driving without insurance in BC leaves you open to a number of different potential consequences.
1. Fines & Penalties
If you are caught by police driving an uninsured vehicle, you may be subject to a fine of $598. Your vehicle could also be towed, and those additional costs would have to be paid by you.
2. You will automatically be judged to be 100% at-fault in any accident
Since you are driving an unlicensed vehicle on the road, and legally you shouldn’t be, even if someone runs a red light and hits you – you are at fault in the accident (as your vehicle is not meant to be on the road at all).
3. Most importantly! Any accident you are in will not be covered at all
Since you don’t have insurance, there is no coverage for your vehicle at all, and also no coverage for liability/damage to 3rd parties. So that means, the accident is ‘your responsibility’ and you would have to pay any damages for bodily injury or property damage, including damage to any other vehicles involved in the accident. This could be financially devastating, so please don’t forget to renew your insurance before it expires.
4. Theft and Vandalism Risks for Uninsured Vehicles
Any theft or vandalism/broken windows claims would also not be covered at any time (including when the vehicle is parked in your garage/underground parkade). Since there is no insurance on the vehicle, there is simply no coverage at all.
Note, there is no ‘grace period’ once your insurance expires; so one minute after midnight on the night your insurance expires, the insurance is no longer in force.
Apply for a Car Insurance Today to secure your Car
You can save yourself time and money by renewing your ICBC insurance online now. If you prefer to handle things in person, you can also renew ICBC insurance at any of ICBC’s Autoplan partners including Habitat Insurance.
If you have any questions, or wanted more information about how to renewing your car insurance please contact us.
