By Ka Hing Cheung

What happens if you’re injured in a motor vehicle crash and suddenly can’t work—but your income is too high to be fully covered by ICBC’s standard benefits? For high earners in British Columbia, that’s not just a hypothetical—it’s a real financial risk. ICBC’s Enhanced Care model caps income replacement coverage at a gross yearly income of $119,000.

So if you make more than that, you could be left with a serious gap in your income replacement during recovery. That’s where the ICBC Income Top-Up steps in, offering optional insurance coverage that helps bridge the gap and keep your finances on track when life doesn’t go as planned.

This optional extra coverage bridges the gap between what ICBC provides under Enhanced Care and your actual income—offering you peace of mind and financial stability if you’re ever unable to work due to an accident.

What Is ICBC Income Top-Up—and How Does It Support Income Protection?

The ICBC Income Top-Up is optional insurance that adds extra income replacement benefits on top of the coverage included in your Enhanced Accident Benefits (EAB). Under EAB, ICBC provides 90% of your net income—up to a maximum gross annual income of $119,000 per year. If your income exceeds that threshold, the Income Top-Up allows you to purchase additional coverage in $10,000 increments, up to a total of $100,000.

Each $10,000 increment (or “tier”) costs approximately $40 per year. That means full coverage (ten tiers) costs about $400 annually.

Want to explore the basics first? Read our original overview of Income Top-Up coverage to learn how the policy works, who it’s best suited for, and what’s changed under Enhanced Care.

Who Should Consider ICBC Income Top-Up?

This policy is designed for high earners who do not already have sufficient wage replacement benefits through an employer, private disability plan, or business insurance. If you meet the following criteria, you should seriously consider this insurance:

• You’re a British Columbia resident
• You earn more than $119,000 per year in gross income
• You don’t have adequate income replacement through another source

Even if you’re self-employed or don’t drive regularly, you can still purchase this coverage as long as you’re a B.C. resident. Non-residents must hold a valid ICBC Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence to be eligible.

How Does It Work with Your Existing Auto Insurance?

You don’t need to show proof of income to buy the coverage. However, if you’re injured and need to make a claim, you’ll need to provide documentation such as pay stubs, corporate tax returns, or financial statements.

The policy pays out only if:

• Your income exceeds $119,000
• You’ve already claimed through the standard Enhanced Accident Benefits
• You purchased the Top-Up coverage before the crash
• You don’t have other wage replacement sources that already cover the excess

A Real-World Example

Let’s say Alex is a stunt worker who earns $164,000 annually. After being injured in a crash, he is unable to work for 10 months. Here’s how it makes a difference:

Without ICBC Income Top-Up:

• Insured income capped at $119,000
• 90% of net income = $80,100
• Bi-weekly benefit: $3,080.80

With $40,000 ICBC Income Top-Up:

• Insured income = $159,000
• 90% of net income = $102,600
• Bi-weekly benefit: $3,946.15

That’s nearly $900 more every two weeks—about $17,000 over 10 months.

What If You Have Employer Benefits?

If your workplace provides disability coverage that replaces a portion of your salary (say 70% of your income), the ICBC Income Top-Up may still be useful—but it won’t duplicate your coverage. Instead, ICBC will subtract the amount covered by your employer’s plan from what they would have paid and give you the remainder. Once your employer plan ends, you’ll get the full Top-Up benefit.

Here’s how it works for someone like Jessie, a self-employed consultant earning $75,000:

• With no employer coverage: Jessie gets about $2,077 bi-weekly from ICBC.
• With 70% disability coverage: Jessie gets $461 bi-weekly from ICBC, on top of her employer benefit.

Remember: the ICBC Income Top-Up is paid after all other wage loss benefits have been exhausted.

Not Just for Drivers

One of the advantages of the ICBC Income Top-Up is that it’s not tied to your vehicle or driving habits. Whether you commute every day or work remotely, this coverage follows you—not your car. That makes it especially relevant for:

• Freelancers and contractors
• High-income earners in remote or hybrid roles
• People who walk, cycle, or take public transit but still want financial protection

What It Doesn’t Cover

It’s important to understand what the ICBC Income Top-Up doesn’t do:

• It won’t cover business losses or operational expenses.
• It won’t apply if your income is already fully replaced through another source.
• It can’t be added retroactively after a crash.

If you’re a business owner or contractor, you may want to supplement this with a business interruption insurance policy or consider additional third-party liability coverage for broader protection.

How to Purchase: Talk to an Autoplan Broker

Purchasing the ICBC Income Top-Up is easy:

1. Speak to an ICBC Autoplan broker like King Insurance (the same professionals who handle your auto insurance) to add this optional coverage.
2. Choose the number of $10,000 increments (up to $100,000).
3. Pay approximately $40 annually per tier.
4. Keep your documentation on hand in case of a claim.

If your income or insurance situation changes, you can cancel and receive a refund for unused days.

Why It Matters

In a high-cost-of-living province like B.C., a few thousand dollars per month in lost wages can have a serious impact on your finances. Mortgage payments, childcare costs, tuition, and daily expenses don’t stop just because you’ve been in an accident. The ICBC Income Top-Up is a small investment that can safeguard your income—and your peace of mind—during recovery.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a high-income earner (more than $119,000 per year) and don’t have comprehensive income replacement benefits through another source, the ICBC Income Top-Up is well worth considering. It’s affordable, flexible, and can make a real difference in your ability to recover comfortably after a crash.

To learn more or to get a quote, contact King Insurance today. We’ll help you assess your current coverage and determine how much Top-Up protection is right for you.

Ka Hing Cheung is proud to work in the insurance 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.