By Ka Hing Cheung

Buying your first vehicle is a big milestone. For many couples, that purchase raises a common question: should the car be registered in both spouses’ names, or just one? At King Insurance, we often hear from new vehicle owners who discover after the fact that their spouse was only listed on the insurance policy—not the registration. If you’re in that situation, it helps to understand the difference between ownership and insurance, as well as the process for adding someone to your registration under ICBC rules.

Ownership vs. Insurance: Two Separate Things in Vehicle Registration and Auto Insurance

In British Columbia, ICBC manages both vehicle registration and insurance. These two areas often get confused:

• Vehicle ownership is established through registration. The name(s) on the registration are the legal owners of the car. If financing is involved, the lender’s name will also appear as a lienholder. This record is sometimes referred to as the vehicle registration portion or the vehicle registration record, which prove ownership.
• Insurance coverage lists drivers who are authorized and rated on the policy. You can have multiple drivers on an insurance policy without them being co-owners of the car.

This distinction is important. Even if your spouse is a regular driver and fully insured, they are not legally considered a co-owner unless their name is on the registration.

Can You Add a Spouse After the Fact? The Transfer Vehicle Ownership Process for a New Vehicle or Old Vehicle

Yes, but not by simply “updating” paperwork. According to ICBC, adding another person to a vehicle registration requires a transfer of vehicle ownership. This process is similar to what you completed when you first purchased the car from an auto dealer or private seller:

1. You and your spouse will need to visit an Autoplan broker together.
2. Both of you must provide complete and original signatures on the transfer documents to establish joint ownership. The names of both spouses will then appear on the same document, confirming you as co owners.
3. Because ownership and plates are linked, a registration transfer and new insurance policy will be issued in both names.

ICBC requires that the registered owners match the names on the licence plates and insurance. That means a new policy is created whenever you change ownership, even between spouses. This applies whether it’s a new vehicle purchased at a dealership or an old vehicle already in your driveway.

What Happens to Your Insurance?

When you transfer a vehicle into joint names, your existing insurance policy ends, and a new one is created. At that point:

• You will need to select new coverage options, including ICBC’s range of insurance and licence products (liability, collision, comprehensive, optional coverages, etc.). These options will be reflected in your insurance papers, which must be signed by all owners.
• All registered owners must be present to sign.
• If you were paying monthly, the payment schedule starts again with the new policy.

The drivers listed on the policy may stay the same, but the new ownership structure means you essentially start fresh with a new contract. An Autoplan broker will guide you through which options make sense depending on whether the car is a new vehicle or an old vehicle you’re simply re-registering.

The Pros of Joint Ownership for the Registered Owner

For many couples, joint ownership is a good idea. Benefits include:

• Shared rights: Both spouses have equal authority over the vehicle. If one spouse passes away, the other remains a legal owner without needing probate for the car.
• Clarity in legal matters: Joint ownership can simplify questions of liability, inheritance, or resale of passenger vehicles. It also reduces confusion about possible liability claims, since both names appear as co owners on the insurance papers.
• Transparency: Both names on the registration make it clear who is responsible for the vehicle.

If both spouses contribute financially to the vehicle or drive it regularly, joint ownership may feel like the fairest and most practical option.

The Cons of Joint Ownership

On the other hand, there are some drawbacks:

• Convenience: With joint ownership, both spouses must be present to make any changes to the insurance, such as cancelling, adding coverage, or transferring ownership again. This can be inconvenient if one spouse is unavailable.
• Extra steps for changes: Any transaction involving the registration requires complete and original signatures from all listed owners. This slows down the process of switching plates, filing renewals, or updating an original registration when changes are required.

For this reason, some families keep the registration in one name, while ensuring the spouse is fully listed as a driver on the insurance. That way, coverage is clear, but paperwork is streamlined. An Autoplan broker can clarify which option may work best if you’re managing an old vehicle with existing license plates or transferring ownership of a new vehicle.

What ICBC Recommends

ICBC does not tell you whether to choose sole or joint ownership, but their guidance makes clear that ownership and insurance are separate legal matters. The decision comes down to your circumstances:

• If protecting both spouses’ legal ownership rights is most important, joint registration may be the right move.
• If simplifying future insurance changes is more important, keeping the vehicle in one name may be better.

Because these decisions affect future operation of your vehicle and your ability to respond to possible liability claims, ICBC and most brokers strongly recommend that you review your situation carefully. An Autoplan broker can walk you through the registration transfer process, explain how it applies differently for old vehicles and new vehicles, and help you weigh the pros and cons.

How King Insurance Can Help

At King Insurance, we know that buying a vehicle is just the start of the journey. Questions like “Should I add my spouse to the registration?” don’t always come up at the dealership—but they matter down the road.

Our advisors can:

• Explain ICBC’s requirements in plain language.
• Review your insurance options after a transfer.
• Help you understand how joint or sole ownership could affect your coverage, your family’s protection, and your convenience.

Every family is different, and there’s no single “right” answer. What matters most is making an informed choice.

Final Thoughts

At King Insurance, we know that buying a vehicle is just the start of the journey. Questions like “Should I add my spouse to the registration?” don’t always come up at the auto dealer or during the purchase of a new vehicle—but they matter down the road.

Our advisors can:

• Explain ICBC’s requirements in plain language.
• Review your insurance options after a transfer vehicle ownership.
• Help you understand how joint or sole ownership could affect your coverage, your family’s protection, and your convenience.

Every family is different, and there’s no single “right” answer. What matters most is making an informed choice with the guidance of a trusted Autoplan broker.

If you’ve recently bought a car and discovered your spouse is listed only as a driver—not as a co-owner—you still have options. Adding them to the registration requires a transfer of registration through ICBC, which results in a new registration, new licence plates, and a new insurance policy.

About King Insurance

Located at the northwest corner of Marine Drive and Main Street, King Insurance proudly serves not only the South Vancouver communities of Marpole, Sunset, Oakridge, Victoria–Fraserview, and nearby areas like Marine Gateway and Marine Landing, but also clients across Richmond and the entire Lower Mainland.

Ka Hing Cheung is proud to work in the insurance company industry, helping people manage risk and protect what matters most. Ka Hing is committed to ongoing learning and enjoys helping clients find the right coverage at the best available rate, while making sure they understand their options clearly.