By Ka Hing Cheung

Life happens. Maybe you’re leaving town for a few months. Maybe you’re putting your RV or sports car in storage for the winter. Naturally, you might wonder: Can I pause my car insurance with ICBC?

The short answer? No, ICBC doesn’t allow you to temporarily suspend your current Autoplan insurance policy. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck paying full premiums for a vehicle you’re not using. Instead, ICBC offers several flexible options depending on your situation—from storage policies to short-term coverage to full policy cancellation.

Here’s how it all works.

Why ICBC Doesn’t Let You “Pause” Insurance

Unlike some private insurers in other provinces or countries, ICBC doesn’t have a pause or “freeze” function that simply puts your existing policy on hold. That’s largely because insurance in B.C. is directly tied to your vehicle’s driver’s licence, plates, and registration. All vehicles in British Columbia are required to have at least a basic level of insurance to be legally insured and compliant, and this requirement is directly linked to the vehicle’s licence plate.

But ICBC does offer alternatives that help you reduce or eliminate your premium while your vehicle is off the road.

Your Driver’s Licence Plays a Central Role

Every change you make to your Autoplan coverage is tracked through your driver’s licence. Whether you’re updating your policy, switching to storage coverage, or reinstating after cancellation, your licence determines your risk profile and confirms your identity. It also plays a role in calculating your Driver Risk Premium, so it’s always worth checking that your licence is up to date and free from recent infractions.

Option 1: Buy a Storage Policy

If your vehicle is not being driven and is stored on private property, a Storage Policy might be your best bet. It offers protection while your car, truck, or RV sits idle—guarding against risks like theft, vandalism, fire, falling branches, and more.

A key advantage? Storage coverage can include:

• Comprehensive insurance
• Specified Perils insurance
• Optional Third Party Liability

This means your vehicle is protected not just from damage, but also from potentially causing damage—say, if your parked car rolls and hits something or someone.

Real-life example: The Lee family parks their motorhome in the Lower Mainland during the off-season. One stormy night, a tree branch crashes down onto it. Thanks to their storage policy, repairs are covered—even though the vehicle hadn’t moved in months.

To be eligible, the vehicle typically needs to be stored on private property and must not be used or parked on public roads.

Option 2: Switch to a Short-Term or Minimal Policy

If you plan to drive your car again within the year, you might consider replacing your full-year policy with a short-term policy. These last between three and 11 months and are a practical option if your vehicle won’t be in use for a while.

There’s a small surcharge for short-term coverage, but you’ll likely pay less overall than sticking with a full-year policy you don’t need.

Need to drive just once in a while? Request a Temporary Operation Permit (TOP), which is valid for 1 to 15 days. Just be sure your driver’s licence is valid and up to date before you hit the road.

Option 3: Cancel Your ICBC Insurance (Then Reinstate Later)

Another approach is to cancel your insurance policy entirely. You won’t be charged for unused days beyond the cancellation date, and you may be eligible for a refund.

To cancel, visit your Autoplan broker with:

• Your driver’s licence (primary and secondary ID)
• Your license plates
• Your primary and secondary ID
• Your owner’s certificate
• (If jointly owned) Both owners present

Important note: Your ICBC insurance and license plates are linked in B.C. So cancelling your policy also cancels your vehicle registration. Don’t cancel if you’re temporarily driving a rental or waiting for repairs—otherwise, you could be left uncovered.

Further, if you reapply, your new premiums may be affected by changes in ICBC’s rate structure or your driver risk premium, especially if there’s a long lapse in coverage.

Returning Plates? Why Licence Plates Matter

If you return your licence plate when cancelling insurance, your registration ends, and you’ll need new plates when you reinstate. But if your old plates are still valid and safely stored, your broker may be able to reassign them to your vehicle.

How Refunds Work

When you cancel early, ICBC calculates your refund based on:

• Time remaining in your insurance policy term
• Any non-refundable fees (e.g., for new plates or transfers)
• Any outstanding debt
• Whether you’re enrolled in a monthly payment plan
• The overall cost of cancelling early, which depends on the timing and any non-refundable fees

If you’re on a payment plan, try to cancel before your next scheduled withdrawal. Cancellations can be processed on weekdays such as Monday or Friday, and in some cases on Saturday, depending on office hours. Otherwise, a payment may still be processed, or you could be billed later for missed fees.

Reinsuring After Cancellation

When you’re ready to drive again, you can renew your ICBC insurance online or through your Autoplan broker. But there are a few things to note:

• You’ll need to get new plates if you returned your old ones.
• If you kept your plates, and they’re still valid in ICBC’s system, you may be able to use them again—especially if you’re reinstating ICBC insurance within a short time. This will depend on your Autoplan broker’s assessment and the vehicle’s registration status.
• Any optional coverages you had before (like Collision or Comprehensive) won’t automatically carry over. You’ll need to re-select them when setting up your new policy.
• Any change in your driver licensing history—like tickets or claims—could affect your new premium

We can help locate a service near you and walk you through your best options. We can check the status of your vehicle and plates, walk you through your options, and get you road-ready again—quickly and correctly.

What’s Right for You?

So—can you pause your car insurance at ICBC? Technically, no. But you do have flexible options depending on how long your vehicle will be unused and where it will be stored.

Here’s a quick recap:

Each option has its pros and cons. We can help tailor your insurance to fit your life, your budget, and your driving plans.

Talk to Us for Advice and Online Renewals

If you’re unsure which option fits your situation—or if you’re wondering how to get started with online renewals—King Insurance is here to help. Our experienced brokers can explain everything, from driver’s licence requirements to policy types, and help you make an informed decision.

Whether you’re storing your car for the winter, heading out of the country, or simply driving less, we’ll help you find the right coverage to match your needs.

Stop by or give us a call today. We’re here to make insurance simpler—so you can get on with life.

Ka Hing Cheung is proud to work in the insurance industry, helping people in the Lower Mainland 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.