Friday December 11, 2020 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated 1:50 pm]
by Mary P Brooke, Editor | Island Social Trends
British Columbians will have the additional convenience of being able to renew their ICBC auto insurance online starting in May 2022.
When ICBC’s online insurance model launches, customers will be able to renew personal insurance and get temporary operation permits (with some restrictions). More products are expected to be made available in the future, it was stated in a release today from the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“We know British Columbians want more convenience when they purchase and renew their auto insurance,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “This is another important step to make ICBC work better for British Columbians. While we make progress toward online renewals, our main focus remains on delivering Enhanced Care coverage and an average 20% reduction in insurance rates for British Columbians.”
About those decals:
The regulatory and technical work required for these online services will take place over the coming year. This includes consultations to ensure B.C.’s broker community is ready for the forthcoming changes and the development of regulations that are needed related to the licence plate decal requirement.
Decal-related consultations are underway with stakeholders, including brokers, police agencies and road safety partners, and a decision on the future of the decal requirement is expected in 2021.
Back in August of this year, legislation was passed (Bill 20, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act (No.2), 2020) that offers flexibility around the use of the decal on BC licence plates.
For example, validation decals could be non-expiring or valid for periods longer than one year. ICBC could also issue other documents, or take other actions, around the validity of a vehicle licence (instead of issuing validation decals).
Accelerating digital services:
“Connecting with our customers in the ways they want and providing service options that make them feel supported continue to be an important part of our work,” said Nicolas Jimenez, president and CEO, ICBC.
“COVID-19 has accelerated our expansion of digital services for customers, including a shift to email and phone-based insurance transactions. Offering insurance renewals online will make buying insurance even more convenient and flexible.”
Task force underway:
The online insurance model is being developed with input from ICBC’s Online Broker Task Force, made up of representatives from ICBC and B.C.’s broker community. Further details about how online insurance purchases will work will be forthcoming next year.
“Brokers and their consumer-focused advocacy will play an important part in delivering a great customer experience as part of ICBC’s Enhanced Care coverage changes next year and for the new online insurance services,” said Chuck Byrne, executive director and COO, Insurance Broker’s Association of B.C. “B.C.’s insurance brokers are up to the challenge. We know there’s much to accomplish and we look forward to working together with ICBC to reach the May 2022 date for online services.”
Saving on postage:
In addition to offering email and phone insurance renewal options during the COVID-19 pandemic, ICBC recently launched email sign-up to send important communications like renewal reminders to customers. It has also started direct deposit registration as the latest initiative in its shift to more online services.
Various services already online:
Many ICBC services are currently already online including reporting claims, checking claim status, booking driver licensing knowledge and road tests, ordering driver abstracts, making driver licence address changes, and using the insurance premium estimation tool.
===== LINKS:
Legislation to offer greater flexibility for the insurance decal: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AG0045-001136
ICBC’s Enhanced Care coverage: http://icbc.com/2021