Insurance Tips
Auto Plan Insurance Tips
A new driver in your household?
Be sure to check that you don’t have the 10 year experience discount (rate class) on your vehicle. Check with us if you’re not sure.
Anti-Theft Devices
Having a passive immobilizer installed in your vehicle (an anti theft device that automatically cuts off power to the vehicles fuel, starter, or ignition system) provides discounts on your Comprehensive and Specified Perils insurance.
At-fault Accident Damage
What happens if someone is in an at-fault accident in your car causing damage?
ATV & Snowmobile Insurance
Putting a storage policy on your ATV or snow mobile? Using the ATV off-road during the term of the storage policy automatically voids the policy.
Autoplan Discounts for Seniors
Over 65? Ask us about the senior discount on your Autoplan insurance.
Declaring Principal Vehicle Operator
What happens if I declare the principal operator of my vehicle when I renew my policy, and then it changes some time after that? ICBC policy dictates that if the principal operator changes mid-term, you can (and in fact you must) wait until renewal to advise ICBC of the change.
Driving Experience = Discounts
Does everyone in your household have more than 10 years driving experience? Check with us to ensure that you are receiving the maximum available discounts. This can save you significant money on your ICBC insurance.
Getting a Bettter ICBC Discount
How can I better the discount that ICBC offers on my Autoplan insurance? Your discount is calculated from the length of time you have had a BC drivers licence and been claims free one step down the scale per year.
Keep Your Keys
Don’t leave your spare keys in the car for a thief to find.
Lock Your Car Doors
Be sure to lock your car doors before leaving your vehicle and keep all valuables out of sight.
Out of Province Vehicles
Buying a vehicle from out of the province? A B.C. Vehicle Inspection is required before it can be insured.
Purchasing Insurance
Considering purchasing vehicle insurance from a direct writer (like CDI)? Bear in mind that with this type of insurer, that while you may save on premium dollar, you do so at a cost. You are foregoing the benefit of us; yes there is value in having a broker.
Registering a used vehicle from the USA
In order to register the vehicle, the following is required…
Registering your Vehicle in B.C.
If you own a vehicle, and you are bringing it to B.C. from another province, in order to register the vehicle, the following is required…
Roadside Plus Coverage
Roadside Plus coverages apply throughout Canada and the USA including Alaska and Hawaii, but not in Mexico or any other country.
RV Insurance - Affordable?
Do you have a motor home, travel trailer, or camper? Insurance is very affordable for RV’s.
Sled Coverage
Did you know snow machines are not covered under your home insurance? If you’re concerned, you should insure your sled with ICBC.
Underinsured Drivers
Purchase Excess Underinsured Motorist Protection (UMP) to protect yourself from underinsured drivers. Basic Autoplan provides $1,000,000 in UMP coverage, you can increase UMP to $2,000,000 with a $25 endorsement.
Veteran Specialty Plates
These license plates are available to Veterans who served: during wartime, in a post-war capacity, or during a NATO or UN operation, including members of the RCMP and Municipal Police.
Commercial Insurance Tips
Equipment Breakdown Insurance
Did you know you can purchase insurance for “Equipment Breakdown” of your office equipment, commercial phone systems and computer equipment?
Home Business Insurance
Do you have a home based business? Your homeowners policy often can be endorsed to provide coverage for your Home Based Business.
Kitchen Systems
Commercial Kitchen Systems must be UL300 compliant.
Outbuilding Insurance
Do you use an outbuilding for business use? Ask about a commercial policy to cover the business use of the outbuilding.
Homowners Insurance Tips
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. CO is a colourless, odourless gas that can kill.
Do you have tenants in your dwelling?
Do you have a dwelling you own and rent to others? Bear in mind that damage caused by tenants is a common exclusion on these policies. In addition, damage relating to illegal activities, like marijuana grow-ops, is also commonly excluded.
Doing Renovations? Let Us Know
Should I notify my broker if we are doing renovations? If you are thinking about renovating, let us know. Some important considerations: Is my building limit adequate to reflect the renovations? Does my contractor carry general liability and workers compensation (WCB) for employees?
Going Away?
Did you know that most homeowner’s policies require that, during the usual heating season, if you’re away from home for more than 4 consecutive days you must arrange for a competent person to enter your home daily to ensure heating is being maintained.
Going Away? Turn Off the Water
Turn off the water to the washing machine when you go on holidays, or better yet shut-off your main water supply valve.
Home Appliances
Record serial and model numbers of appliances and household equipment.
Home Renovations
Have you made a major addition or renovations to your home that has increased the replacement cost of your home? If so, you should talk to us about these changes so we can properly reflect these changes on your policy.
Home Vacancy
Most homeowners policies exclude all coverage on your home when it has been vacant for more than 30 days.
Homeowner Coverage Review
Is your broker reviewing your policies on a regular basis to ensure that coverage is meeting your needs? Not sure, talk to us for a review
Homeowners Policy Exclusions and Limitations
All homeowners policies contain exclusions and limitations. Reading your policy wording is the most effective way to do this.
Increase Your Deductible and Save
Increase your deductible; you can save 15-25% on your insurance premium.
Insuring Antiques and Collectibles
How do I best determine a value for antiques, collectibles and fine arts? Due to the rare and unique nature of these items, we recommend taking photos, keep bills of sale, writing down descriptions (including artist, size and unique features).
Insuring Valuable Personal Property
I have personal property like bikes and jewellery that are highly valued.
Does my homeowners policy fully cover these things? Homeowners policies have special limits of insurance which are common – the limits may vary from company to company, but the items excluded are fairly common.
Monitored Alarm Systems
Monitored Alarm Systems can save you money on your insurance.
Mortgage Free Discount
A Mortgage Free Discount can save you 5% to 10% on your insurance premium.
New Home Discount
A New Home Discount for houses new to 20 years can save you 2% to 15%
Record and Loyalty Discounts
Claims Free Record and Loyalty Discounts can save you 5 to 25% on your insurance premium.
Secure Your China Cabinet
Secure your china cabinet to the wall. If it falls over the “fragile and brittle articles” in the cabinet are not covered for breakage under your homeowner°Øs policy.
Standard Homeowners Policy
A standard homeowners policy insures your home for replacement cost. Don’t confuse replacement cost with what your home is presently valued for if, for example, you were to sell it (the value on your property assessment is also a market value).
Take a Home Inventory
Take a home inventory of the contents in your home. As an option, take a video or digital photo of the rooms in your house detailing your contents. Keep the photos in a safe place off site.
Woodstoves in the home
Have you installed a woodstove in your home? Be sure to let your insurance company know.
Travel Insurance Tips
Travel Insurance
When traveling outside of B.C., one should seriously consider purchasing additional medical insurance…