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December 11, 2020 - 1:57 PM
By spring of 2022, you should be able to renew your auto insurance online in B.C.
If all goes according to plan, ICBC plans to launch an online model that will let customers renew their insurance for personal vehicles, and get temporary operation permits, with some restrictions.
The Crown corporation said in a media release issued today, Dec. 11, more ICBC products will be made available in the future.
"We know British Columbians want more convenience when they purchase and renew their auto insurance," Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said in the release. "While we make progress toward online renewals, our main focus remains on delivering enhanced care coverage and an average 20 per cent reduction in insurance rates."
ICBC said the regulatory and technical work needed to make online insurance renewal a reality will happen over the next year and will include consultation with brokers. The insurance company is looking for alternatives to issuing validation decals. That includes consultations with brokers and police with a decision on the future of decal requirements expected in 2021.
"COVID-19 has accelerated our expansion of digital services for customers, including a shift to email and phone-based insurance transactions," ICBC president and CEO Nicolas Jimenez said in the release. "Offering insurance renewals online will make buying insurance even more convenient and flexible."
ICBC recently began offering email and phone insurance renewal option during the COVID-19 pandemic along with direct deposit in its shift to more online services.
The B.C. Liberal opposition is asking the government why it will take so long to get online renewals up and running.
MLA Mike Morris, the critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General, said ensuring people can access ICBC services online should be a top priority for the government.
“We saw ICBC quickly implement insurance renewals over the phone when the pandemic hit earlier this year, why would online renewals take this long?" Morris said in a media release. He also renewed his party's call for the government to open ICBC up to competition.
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