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[edit] Insurance

The Provincial Car Insurance Provider is Insurance Corporation of British Columbia ICBC.

When you finally arrive in British Columbia you might find getting car insurance is a pain! The minimum insurance you must have is called Basic Autoplan. This covers:

   * Third Party Liability (up to $200,000)
   * Accident Benefits
   * Underinsured Motorist Protection (up to $1,000,000)
   * Protection Against Hit-and-Run and Uninsured Motorists
   * Inverse Liability Coverage.

You can only buy Basic Autoplan from ICBC, though there are many Autoplan Brokers throughout the province who sell the insurance on ICBC's behalf. The actual cost of Basic Autoplan depends on the type of vehicle you drive, where you live, and what you use the vehicle for.

Almost all drivers opt to purchase additional insurance, typically extended third party liability, collision, and comprehensive (fire and theft). There are other insurances you can buy. At first, you are probably stuck with buying additional insurance from ICBC. However, optional coverage is also sold by private companies. Their rates can be significantly cheaper if you have a good,safe driving record. For example, you can try Canadian Direct or [BCAA]

ICBC give a discount of 5% for each year you drive with no at-fault claims, up to a maximum 40% on Basic Autoplan and sometimes more on optional coverage. They will take your UK driving record into account. However, you need to PROVE your no claims. Please start tracking down your proof of no claims for the last 8 years. This will save you a lot of money when you come to get car insurance. Use this template. See also ICBC's website here.]

Update: On 27th June 2008 a member of the BE forum reported that, when she insured her new car, her insurance broker told her that, starting in the next few weeks, they would require a detailed breakdown of a customer's no claims history. It would have to look something like this:

   * 14 Sept 03 to 14 Sept 04 Churchill, no claims made
   * 15 Sept 04 to 16 June 07 Diamond, no claims made
   * 17 June 07 to 19 June 08 RSA, no claims made
 

They told her that this would be required for all new insured drivers who wanted to receive a discount for their no claims history. So her advice to all prospective British expats is to request a detailed breakdown when you ask your insurance companies in the UK for reference letters. The same poster reported that the letters from her UK insurance companies saved her just over $1,000 on her first year's car insurance premiums in BC.

[edit] Licensing

ICBC also administers driver licensing. See their website [here].

A visitor can drive in BC on a foreign or out of province license for up to six months. Note that ICBC states that "it is illegal for anyone to drive in B.C. if they have lived in the province for more than three months and do not have a B.C. license". Therefore a new resident to the province must pass the knowledge and road tests within 90 days of their arrival if they wish to continue to drive in BC.

A driver was "denied coverage for an accident when it was discovered he had lived in the province much longer than 90 days without getting a B.C. driver's license." The practical consequence of driving with a non-BC license more than 90 days after you become resident in the province is that you are driving without a valid license and without insurance. Just as in the UK, this is a serious offense.

A holder of a Temporary Work Permit is classed as a resident for driving purposes. Residency is limited to the length of the WP, but essentially if you're working and living in BC, paying taxes in BC and registered for BC Healthcare, consider yourself a resident.