When you’re involved in a car accident in British Columbia, you have entitlement of up to three different claims:
- A claim for Part 7 benefits
- a claim for vehicle damage
- and, a tort claim against a negligent driver
The last two claims listed above are only available if someone else was at fault for causing the automobile accident.
In British Columbia ‘no-fault’ insurance is typically referred to as “Accident Benefits” or Part 7 benefits.
In order to claim Parts 7 benefits, you must:
- be insured under Part 7 of the ‘no fault‘ regulation
- own an ICBC insured vehicle
- be member of the vehicle owner’s household
- be a resident of BC who has been properly issued a valid driver’s license and members of that persons household
- be an occupant of a vehicle licensed in BC
- be an occupant of a vehicle not required to be licensed in BC, but is operated by a person properly issued a valid BC driver’s license
- be a cyclist or pedestrian who collides with an ICBC insured vehicle;
- be a resident of BC who is entitled to bring in action as a result of a hit-and-run or accident with an underinsured motorist
ICBC Part 7 benefits include the following:
- Disability (lost earnings) benefits
Part 7 disability benefits remain in place as long as you are disabled or up to you turn 65. Disability benefits can range from $300 to $740 per week. - Medical and rehabilitation benefits
Part 7 Medical and Rehabilitation benefits pay a maximum of $300,000 altogether. This covers treatment sessions and pre-approves the claimant for physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, occupational therapy, Kinesiology and counselling sessions. - Homemaking benefits
For the primary homemaker in a household that is unable to perform the usual household tasks, Part 7 homemaking benefits pay $280 per week. - Funeral and death benefits
A person entitled to part 7 benefits that is killed in a car accident will be covered up to $2,500 in burial and funeral expenses by ICBC. ICBC also pays a death benefit to a family of a person killed in a car accident if he or she left a surviving spouse, dependent child, dependent parent or if the person killed was a dependent child or parent. The amount of this death benefit ranges from $500 to $5,000 depending on the age and family of the deceased person.
Before filing your claim, read our resource on 5 things you need to know about ICBC’s ‘no-fault’ insurance, in order to make your claim.
If you have been involved and/or injured in a motor vehicle accident or have questions about pursuing an ICBC claim after an accident, please call Neumann & Associates Law Corporation for a free consultation.
