Why is car insurance so expensive in British Columbia?

Why is car insurance so expensive in British Columbia?  Drivers in Canada’s westernmost province pay the highest insurance rates in Canada, averaging just over $ 1,800 a year.  That’s more than $ 700 since 2015, 63% more than in five years!  Unlike other provinces, BC Insurance is run by the Crown Corporation (ICBC), so if you don’t like these terms, complicated stuff because it’s the only game in town.

Why is car insurance so expensive in British Columbia?

  The province claims that the reason for the sharp rise in rates is due to rising costs for the insurer, including lawsuits for injuries, lawsuits and obligations to repair vehicles.  This is a cold comfort for BC drivers when their fares are moving north. The province has tried to add private insurers, offering more options and competition as a way to lower rates, but so far BC does not seem too interested in giving up its monopoly on car insurance.
Does B.C have no-fault insurance?

  In 2020, British Columbian government announced the introduction of the no-fault system.  Under no-fault insurance, road accident victims can no longer sue for damages if the accident was not caused by street racing, negligence, improper driving or faulty / poorly repaired vehicles.  Instead, affected people will receive benefits and compensation directly from ICBC.  This means that BC  After May 1, 2021, basic and additional tariffs for drivers will be reduced by 20%.  Until that time, ICBC rates will not rise.

How much does car insurance cost in British Columbia?

 Under the ICBC monopoly, British Columbians will once again pay the highest car insurance prices in Canada, and premiums now average $ 1,832 a year.  While many important changes are taking place in the British Columbia, none of them are expected to lower the price most drivers pay. Because ICBC says it will need price increases to raise more than $ 1 billion in the coming years, now more than ever, the market needs to be open to competition and choice to improve the availability of car insurance for drivers.

How is the average premium of car insurance in British Columbia calculated?

  The average premium is calculated by comparing the total premiums collected from passenger cars in each province and dividing them by the number of these vehicles.  While some organizations argue that average premiums cannot or should not be compared, this method is used by provincial regulators and provides the best comparison of prices paid by price drivers in each province.  At the same time, it becomes clear how much more people in British Columbia pay for car insurance than other drivers across the country who have the advantages of competition and choice.

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  What way can one get cheap car insurance in British Columbia?

• Ask for a discount as a regular, valued customer, employer or a discount for graduates
• Ask for discounts on policies for multiple vehicles and home and car insurance
• Less commute due to shared transport, shared transport or a shorter trip
• Maintain a good insurance credit rating, minimize claims and keep clean driver records for a year and then five years
• Drive a later economy car model, add winter tires and install an alarm system
• Increase your deductible from $ 250 or $ 500 to $ 1,000 (only if you already have money to cover the deductible)
• Buy cheaper car insurance online
• Take out insurance for teenage drivers or other family members if they are high-risk drivers (multiple accidents, speeding fines)

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  What are the types of car insurance in British Columbia?

1. Public insurance – ICBC offers a mandatory basic tariff plan that includes third party liability insurance, insurance for drivers with insufficient insurance and accident insurance.
2. Private insurance -is a car insurance policy sold by private insurers.  In British Columbia, motorists can purchase additional coverage from private car insurance companies or from ICBC itself.  If you are considering private insurance for additional coverage, we recommend that you first get a BC car insurance quote from several players and compare their offers.
3. No-fault insurance – BC has a tort insurance system.  This allows the injured party to sue the guilty party.  However, part of the accident payments work as a no-fault cover.  It simply means that each driver will have to deal with their own car insurance.  Please note that British Columbia allows a driver who is not negligent to legally recover damages from a guilty driver for damages that are not covered by his or her payment in the event of an accident.  This is one of the reasons why we strongly recommend that you consider obtaining an additional BC car insurance offer from private insurers or ICBC.
4. Third party liability insurance – this coverage covers you in case you injure someone or damage their property while driving.  Third party liability insurance is compulsory in every Canadian province, although the minimum amount of coverage is different.  In British Columbia, it is $ 200,000.
5. Accident benefits – they cover your medical expenses in the event of an accident in a car accident, regardless of who caused the accident.
6. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist – it covers you and your passengers if you are involved in an accident without fault with a driver who does not have insurance or has insufficient limits.  Coverage for uninsured motorists includes crash and escape scenarios.  You will receive this coverage even if you choose only the basic price of ICBC insurance.
7. Collision insurance -is a type of additional coverage that protects your car in the event of a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault.
8. Comprehensive insurance -is an additional cover that provides protection against external events that are beyond your control and that cannot be directly caused by another vehicle or driver, such as theft, riots, fire, vandalism and natural disasters.  You should consider adding comprehensive insurance to your price for car insurance in the UK, as it is relatively affordable and provides much needed protection.
9. Specified Perils – this coating provides protection only from the dangers you have chosen.  Hazards for which coverage is usually available include theft, fire, riots, lightning damage, hail, floods, wind, explosions, earthquakes, and damage from plane crashes.  This protection plan is a smart way to save if you do not need comprehensive insurance.
10. Emergency roadside assistance – this cover will help you get back on the road quickly if you are stuck due to low batteries, empty fuel tank and flat tires, among other things.