Prince George, B.C. –    ICBC is working on 43 claims it has received related to the wildfires in the province.

Expecting more claims to be filed,  the Insurance Corporation of BC has  set up a special claims service to speed up  and review  each fire related claim.

The team is focused on helping those affected and will determine circumstances where customers’ deductibles and insurance discount impacts will be waived.

Here are the details:

For customers with claims:

• A dedicated team at ICBC is handling insurance claims related to a fire on a priority basis. To make a claim, you can file online at icbc.com or call ICBC’s Dial-a-Claim at 1-800-910-4222, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• You will not need to pay a deductible if your insurance claim is for vehicle damage sustained as a result of being required to use a non-traditional roadway (e.g. forest service roads) to evacuate. The claim will also have no impact on your insurance discount.

• There are many variables involved in fire related claims and the deductibles and insurance discounts will be reviewed on an individual basis for all fire claims.

Purchasing or renewing insurance:

• Customers who are on evacuation alert can renew their insurance; but it’s not possible to add new comprehensive or specified perils insurance coverage. It’s important not to let your coverage expire – check your policy and remember you can renew your policy up to 55 days in advance of the expiration date.

• Impacted customers who are unable to visit/call an Autoplan broker for their insurance renewal or questions, should contact our customer service contact centre at 1-800-663-3051.

• Customers may purchase a temporary operating permit to move an uninsured vehicle to safety. Once out of the evacuation zone, comprehensive or specified perils may be purchased for your vehicle.

• ICBC customers who have purchased a storage policy or comprehensive or specified perils coverage from ICBC, can be rest assured that their vehicles will be covered in the event of damage from a fire.

Renewing a driver’s licence or road test bookings:

• Impacted customers who need to renew or replace their drivers licence can contact the driver licensing contact centre at 1-800-950-1498 for assistance.

• Road testing in the affected locations have been cancelled. Once normal operations resume, all cancelled road tests will be re-booked on a priority.

For all other customers in affected areas:

• Call your Autoplan broker and our other service providers before you visit them to make sure they are open.

• Visit ICBC’s locator or call before visiting any of our offices.

• ICBC’s customer service contact centre is available to answer questions at 1-800-663-3051.

• If you’re placed on an evacuation alert, pack all essential ID and documents in preparation for an evacuation. These documents include your B.C. driver’s licence, B.C. identification card, B.C. Services Card, passport, original birth certificate, marriage certificate and Canadian citizenship documentation. It’s also a good idea to have a copy of your vehicle registration and Autoplan insurance policy.