Claims, Crash Responsibility, and Enhanced Care
Reporting and claims
After a crash, drivers must report to police when required (injury, death, or damage over the threshold) and to ICBC. ICBC determines responsibility using the Motor Vehicle Act and established rules. Fault affects deductibles, premiums, and the driver's claims history.
Crash responsibility basics
Rear-end collisions generally place responsibility on the following driver. Left turns across oncoming traffic usually place responsibility on the turning driver. Failing to yield at an intersection, unsafe lane changes, and backing into another vehicle also carry responsibility. Responsibility can be shared when both drivers contribute.
Enhanced Care
Enhanced Care changed how injury claims work. Under it, people injured in crashes receive care and recovery benefits through ICBC regardless of who was at fault, and the right to sue for minor injuries is restricted. Enhanced Care premiums fund these benefits.
Traps
- Assuming no-fault means no one is responsible; responsibility still matters for premiums and deductibles.
- Mixing up Enhanced Care benefits (injury care) with vehicle damage coverage.
- Forgetting that shared responsibility exists and can split fault percentages.
- Overlooking reporting duties and time limits.
Worked example
A driver rear-ends a stopped car at a light. The following driver bears full responsibility. Their collision deductible applies to their own repairs, and the other driver's damage is handled through liability. If the lead car had reversed suddenly, responsibility could shift or be shared.