Thinking about terminating your ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) auto insurance? Maybe you’ve sold your car, moved out of B.C., or realized you’re not driving as much as you used to. Whatever the reason, cancelling your Autoplan policy isn’t as simple as just stopping your payments—and doing it the right way can save you money, hassle, and even future complications. Keep in mind that basic Autoplan coverage is required by law for all vehicles in BC operating on public roads.

The Most Important Tip: Bring Your Plates

Before diving into the details, let’s start with the #1 rule: your licence plates are directly tied to your ICBC auto insurance. If you want to cancel your car insurance, you must return your plates to your Autoplan broker. Returning your plates is also an essential part of the vehicle registration process with ICBC, which is one of its core registration services. Even if you don’t have your plates (say they were lost or stolen), you’ll need to bring a police file number as proof for the cancellation process. No plates, no cancellation.

How to Terminate Your ICBC auto Insurance

To cancel your car insurance, you’ll need to visit your local Autoplan broker in person. Make sure you bring the following:

• Primary and secondary ID (typically your driver’s licence and a second government-issued piece)
• Your licence plates (or a police report if they’ve been lost or stolen)
• Your Owner’s Certificate (this is your car insurance and registration paperwork)

If the vehicle is jointly owned, both registered owners must be present for the cancellation. ICBC requires signatures from both individuals before they can process the request.

This process also applies if you’re covered at the basic level only, without optional add-ons or extended coverage. Cancelling that still requires returning your plates.

Timing Matters

The sooner you cancel your car insurance and return your plates, the more money you might be eligible to get back. Partial refunds are based on how much time is left on your policy—so don’t delay. Just keep in mind that a cancellation fee may apply.

Important note for repair-related situations:

If your vehicle is in the shop and you’re using a rental or courtesy car, don’t cancel your car insurance until the rental is returned. Your policy may still cover you for certain risks during this time, such as liability, accident benefits, and protection against uninsured motorists. It often covers incidents like accidents, theft, or vehicle damage to the rental while your vehicle is being repaired.

What Kind of Refund Will I Get?

Not every cancellation results in a refund—but many do. Your refund amount depends on:

• How much time is left on your policy
• Whether you have any outstanding debt with ICBC
• Any non-refundable fees, such as:
  • Transfer of ownership fees
  • New licence plate fee
  • Payment plan enrollment fee
  • Remaining cost of additional add-ons

Your Autoplan broker can help you calculate your expected refund on the spot. Just be prepared that not all fees are recoverable.

What If I’m on a Payment Plan?

If you’re enrolled in an ICBC payment plan, timing your cancellation carefully is key. Try to cancel at least one day before your next payment is due. This can help avoid an unnecessary automatic withdrawal.

But even if a payment does go through or payments continue after you’ve cancelled, don’t worry. Once the cancellation is processed, ICBC will adjust your account. Here’s how it typically works:

• If you owe any remaining premiums, ICBC will withdraw those to close out your plan.
• If you’re entitled to a refund, ICBC will mail you a cheque after processing.
• If your ICBC policy or plan has expired, different refund rules may apply.

Note: refunds aren’t applied to your bank account, even if you were on automatic payments—they come via cheque.

Customer service, payment processing and driver licensing support are available Monday to Friday, and also on Saturday for your convenience. If you cancel close to a Friday, Saturday, or Monday, keep in mind that processing times may be affected by these operating days.

Cancelling After Selling Your Vehicle

If you’ve sold your car, you should visit your Autoplan broker as soon as possible. Bring your plates and car insurance documents. You’ll have two options:

1. Cancel your ICBC policy and plates if you’re not replacing the vehicle.
2. Transfer the car insurance and plates to a new vehicle, if you’re buying another one soon.

Either way, your broker will guide you through the best decision for your situation. And don’t forget to keep a copy of your bill of sale or transfer of ownership document. This is helpful for your records and may be needed in certain scenarios.

Cancelling After a Vehicle is Written Off

If your vehicle is deemed non-repairable after a crash or other incident, your options are similar to the above. Take your plates and car insurance papers to your Autoplan broker, and they’ll advise whether to cancel your policy or transfer it to another vehicle.

In some cases, customers attempt to renew their coverage while claims are still being processed—but if the vehicle is a total loss, cancellation may be the better choice. You may also be eligible for a refund depending on how much time is left on the policy and what other fees or debts are involved.

What If You Lease Your Vehicle?

For ICBC policies with an effective date before January 6, 2025, there’s one extra step: you need to contact your leasing company first. Because the leasing company technically owns the vehicle, their permission is required to cancel the car insurance.

Once that’s secured, your Autoplan broker can help you with the rest of the process.

Cancelling from Outside B.C.

If you’ve moved outside British Columbia and need to terminate your ICBC car insurance, your next steps depend on what happened to your B.C. licence plates:

If you still have your B.C. plates:

1. Mail the plates, along with:
   • A signed cancellation request letter including:
     • Your licence plate number
     • Your new address and phone number
   • A photocopy of your new registration, if the vehicle has already been registered elsewhere

Send everything to:

ICBC – Cancellations
Room 205 – 151 West Esplanade
North Vancouver, BC V7M 3H9

If you surrendered your plates (either in B.C. or elsewhere):

You’ll need to submit:

• A signed cancellation request letter (with the same information above)
• Proof of plate surrender, such as a receipt confirming that your plates were surrendered, if outside B.C.

You can submit your documents by:

• Fax: 604-661-6727
• Email: insurancecustomerservice@icbc.com
• Mail: to the ICBC Cancellations address above

Alternatively, you can ask an Autoplan broker in B.C. to contact ICBC on your behalf and confirm that your plates were surrendered. This step is crucial—ICBC will not process your cancellation without proof of plate surrender.

If the Registered Owner or Lessee Passes Away

Losing a loved one is never easy, and sorting out their vehicle insurance might be the last thing on your mind. But if the deceased was the registered owner or lessee of a vehicle, it’s important to act promptly.

Visit your local Autoplan broker with:

• The licence plates
• The insurance papers
• Estate documentation (your broker can help determine exactly what is needed)

Depending on the circumstances, you may cancel the car insurance, make changes to the ICBC policy, or transfer ownership of the vehicle. Acting sooner may result in a higher refund, if one is available.

Final Thoughts

Cancelling your ICBC Autoplan policy isn’t something most people do often—but when the time comes, knowing the proper process can save you money, time, and headaches. Whether you’ve sold your vehicle, moved out of province, or just need to make a change, your local Autoplan broker is your best resource. And remember, basic Autoplan is mandatory coverage for driving in B.C.—so if you’re switching vehicles or planning to stay on the road, make sure you’re still protected.

Need a new policy after cancellation? Be sure to renew your coverage before driving again. Failure to renew in time can result in a lapse, which may affect your eligibility or claims history.

At King Insurance, we’re here to help every step of the way. Whether you’re cancelling, switching, or preparing for renewal, we can walk you through your best options. Have questions about your policy, your plan, or what to expect after cancellation? Contact us today, and let’s make sure your insurance works for you—whether for personal use or business needs.

Pro tip: Always double-check your cancellation paperwork for accuracy to prevent issues with refunds or future claims.

Bonus tip: Set a reminder on your phone or calendar if you plan to renew soon after cancellation—so you don’t miss the window.

Disclaimer: This article is intended as general information and does not replace official guidance from ICBC or legal advice. Always consult with your Autoplan broker or ICBC directly for policy-specific questions.