Insurance Benefits for Accident Victims

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Krista Prockiw, ICBC in February 2024.

Motor vehicle accidents can lead to a range of consequences for those involved. They may be faced with an expensive repair bill. They may be unable to work. They may not be able to care for their loved ones. Insurance benefits are available to support accident victims in dealing with these types of challenges.

What you should know

Basic vehicle insurance is mandatory in BC

Everyone who owns a motor vehicle in BC must have basic vehicle insurance from ICBC, called basic Autoplan. You can choose to buy additional insurance coverage from ICBC or a private company.

Basic vehicle damage coverage

Your Autoplan insurance includes $200,000 of basic vehicle damage coverage. It covers the cost of repairs to your vehicle if you’re in an accident where the other driver is responsible. Instead of seeking reimbursement from the other driver’s insurance, your own insurance will cover you.

Enhanced accident benefits

Your basic Autoplan coverage comes with enhanced accident benefits. These benefits cover medical expenses and reimburse you for lost wages if you’re injured in an accident. We dig into the details below.

Third party liability coverage

Your basic Autoplan insurance includes $200,000 of third party liability coverage. Under ICBC’s no fault insurance model, vehicle owners and drivers are protected from lawsuits in most cases. So if you’re responsible for a crash in BC, it’s unlikely that anyone who was injured or had their vehicle damaged in the accident will take legal action against you.

Third party liability coverage protects you in the limited situations where another driver could make a claim against you. For example, if you cause a crash and damage someone’s property (like a fence). Or if you’re involved in an accident outside of BC where legal claims for vehicle damage or injuries are allowed.

For the full details on basic Autoplan, see ICBC’s website.

Your basic insurance comes with enhanced accident benefits

ICBC’s basic Autoplan insurance comes with enhanced accident benefits included. Enhanced accident benefits help you with medical costs and wage loss if you’re injured in an accident. They’re available to you whether you’re a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian, even if you’re found responsible for the crash. For that reason, they’re often referred to as “no fault” benefits.

Coverage for these benefits extends to anyone in a vehicle that’s licenced and insured in BC. Enhanced accident benefits are also available to any British Columbian involved in an accident, whether it occurs in BC, elsewhere in Canada, or in the United States.

There are a variety of benefits available

Enhanced accident benefits provide medical care and recovery benefits. These may include costs like hospital care, medication, physiotherapy, counselling and more. They also reimburse you for certain expenses, like travel costs associated with medical treatment. The amount of coverage you get is set out in this fee schedule.

Enhanced accident benefits offer wage loss benefits as well. If you’re injured in a car accident and are unable to work, you may receive income replacement benefits based on 90% of your net income, up to a maximum. (Note that you’ll only receive these benefits if they provide more than what you’re eligible to receive in workers’ compensation. We explain workers’ compensation here.)

Other enhanced accident benefits include:

• Caregiver expenses, if you can’t continue to look after a child under 16 years old or an adult dependent because of your injuries.
• Personal care assistance, if you need help caring for yourself and performing basic household tasks.
• Permanent impairment payment, if you suffer permanent bodily damage as a result of a car accident.

See ICBC’s guide on enhanced accident benefits for the full list of benefits.

You can buy more than the basic insurance

To supplement your basic Autoplan insurance, you can buy extra insurance from ICBC or a private company. Whether or not it’s necessary depends on where and how much you drive, and your own preferences for coverage.

For example, collision coverage helps pay your repair costs when you hit another vehicle, object, or the surface of the road. Unlike basic vehicle damage coverage, collision coverage protects you even when you’re responsible for the crash.

Extended third party liability coverage protects you from having to pay costs that exceed your basic Autoplan limit. This may be a good option if you do a lot of driving in the United States, as the cost of an accident can be much higher there. You can increase your coverage limit to up to $5 million.

ICBC’s website explains their range of optional insurance products.

If you’re hurt in a motor vehicle accident

If you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident, you can access enhanced accident benefits. (We explain enhanced accident benefits above.) These benefits are available to any BC resident injured in a crash, no matter who was at fault. They support you in accessing the medical and rehabilitation care you need to recover. They may also help cover a portion of your wages if you’re unable to work as a result of the accident.

We walk you through the steps to take if you’re hurt in an accident.