ICBC is taking additional steps to ease the financial hardship customers are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new changes, made in partnership with the provincial government, include:
- Waiving the $30 cancellation fee and $18 dollar re-plating fee for those who choose to cancel their insurance during the pandemic for those who need more relief than the 90-day payment deferral.
- Customers who reinsure their vehicles from May 30 onwards will be able to re-use their licence plate, while customers re-insuring prior to that date will be issued a new plate at no charge.
- Fleet vehicle customers will be allowed to suspend their insurance to help them save money.
- People with a class 5 – 8 learner driver’s licence that expires during the pandemic will not have to pay a fee for their first knowledge test after their licence expires, once testing resumes.
- Customers, including people volunteering to help deliver groceries or other essential supplies to those in need, will be able to use their vehicles for delivery of food or medical products and services without changing their insurance (vehicle use) or paying a higher premium.
“We know many British Columbians are facing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Nicolas Jimenez, president and CEO of ICBC.
“Businesses are also having to adapt to the situation, with many companies changing their business model to offer delivery services so people can access the food and medical products they need while physical distancing. ICBC is responding to these needs and taking action to ease the burden for everyone during this difficult time.”
ICBC has already implemented a number of measures to help British Columbians during COVID-19, including establishing the ability to conduct a number of transactions and renewing a driver’s licence set to expire over phone or email.
The insurance corporation also previously announced that customers who pay their insurance on a monthly basis would be allowed to defer payments for up to 90 days with no penalty.
