What if the person who causes your crash in British Columbia doesn’t have any or enough insurance through ICBC to pay for your accident’s harms and losses?
Then you can access the insurance coverage provided through ICBC’s Autoplan called underinsured motorist protection, usually referred to as UMP. Fortunately many British Columbians and motorists/passengers/cyclists/pedestrians in BC automatically have $1 million in UMP coverage. Some persons have $2 million in coverage, depending on your coverage.
Who has the minimum $1 million UMP coverage?
1. all persons in a vehicle for which the owner purchased through ICBC the universal compulsory insurance coverage through ICBC (“ICBC coverage”). Essentially, any vehicle for which the owner bought the minimum vehicle insurance coverage in BC;
2. the individual owner or renter of the vehicle that has ICBC coverage;
3. an assigned corporate driver;
4. all holders of a valid British Columbia driver’s licence;
5. all members of the household of an individual set out in 2, 3, and 4 above.
As you can see, most people in an accident in BC will have UMP. This information is from section 148.1 of the Regulation to the Insurance (Vehicle) Act.
Who has $2 million UMP coverage?
You can get an extra $1 million in UMP coverage from your auto insurance broker where you buy your basic auto insurance. Just let them know. The first $1 million in UMP is included in your auto insurance policy. The second $1 million in UMP will cost you $25 per year. If you buy the $2 million policy, it covers the following persons if injured by an underinsured motorist?
1. you no matter which vehicle you are in;
2. all the occupants in your vehicle;
3. members of your household (not in vehicles they own); and
4. you and your household members when injured as a passenger or cyclist.
Note that UMP is not available in provinces or U.S. states where the right to sue and recover damages for injury or death caused by a vehicle accident is barred by law. This means in most no-fault provinces or states UMP is not available. Have your insurance broker provide you a letter stating whether UMP will apply in the provinces or states you plan to visit.
