Vicki Gabereau – ICBC's (somewhat reluctant) Demystifier of Car Insurance ICBC.com

Thursday, December 22

This holiday season do something everyone will thank you for: take your turn being the Designated Driver.

Not drinking during a night out isn’t going to kill you. (In fact, that’s the point.) Here are some sobering statistics I got from ICBC: drinking and driving is the leading criminal cause of death and one of the leading causes of fatal collisions on our roads. According to police data almost one-third of motor vehicle fatalities are related to impaired driving every year. That’s why every holiday season since 1977 police across the province set up CounterAttack road checks, checking for impaired drivers. Continue reading →

Thursday, September 8

Loaning your car to a friend is not just a matter of tossing them the keys and reminding them to bring it back with a full tank.

There are some things you should know about how your generosity can affect your insurance.

When you lend your car to someone, they’re covered under your Autoplan policy, but there are certain conditions you need to be aware of.

For example, the person borrowing your car has to have a valid driver’s licence. And it has to be the right type of licence to operate your vehicle. (If they are at the learner’s licence stage, they must be accompanied by a supervisor who is 25 or older and has a valid driver’s licence. If they are at the novice licence stage, they are limited to one passenger unless they’re driving a passenger vehicle and have a supervisor 25 or older with a valid driver’s licence.) Continue reading →

Wednesday, August 10

A while back I blogged about several ways to save money on your insurance. I mentioned, “you could be eligible for the Experienced-Driver Discount if everyone in your household who drives the vehicle, including the owner and principal driver, has had a valid driver’s licence for at least 10 years.”

Well, many of you wanted to know more about this optional coverage, such as “What qualifies as experienced?” And “How is experience measured?” First off, let’s look at what is considered a “valid driver’s licence.” I’ve learned it can be a BC Driver’s Licence, Learner or Novice stage licence. It can also be a driver’s licence or learner driver’s licence from another place. Continue reading →

Wednesday, July 27

I was talking with a friend about the great road trips we’ve taken over the years when it occurred to me that the folks at ICBC might have some handy tips for those of you planning your own adventures.

Sure enough, whether you’re going in your car or a rental, there are several things you should do before you start packing your suitcase.

Take a moment to check the expiry date on your driver’s license and your insurance – you may need to renew them before you leave.

Make sure you have the right coverage. Your Autoplan insurance covers you anywhere in Canada and the States, including Alaska and Hawaii. But it does not cover you in Mexico or other parts of the world.
Continue reading →