If you’ve been in a car accident in British Columbia and feel like your ICBC claim is moving painfully slowly, you’re not alone. Many drivers in the province are reporting long waits between filing a claim and receiving key decisions, especially when a vehicle may be a total loss. For many, the lack of clear explanation from the insurer quickly becomes a major concern.

At King Insurance, we’ve been hearing the same questions repeatedly from our clients: Is this normal? Did something go wrong? Is my claim stuck? The short answer is yes, these delays are increasingly common. Below, we speak to why ICBC claim timelines have stretched out and what you can do to protect yourself while you wait.

What’s Actually Causing Insurance Corporation of British Columbia Claim Delays?

The biggest misconception is that delays are caused by inattentive adjusters or drivers being held responsible unfairly. In most cases, that’s not true. ICBC is a government insurer, and the bottleneck usually happens before the adjuster can finalize anything. ICBC is the only insurance company in British Columbia, which contributes to slow claim processing times.

Here’s where claims often slow down:

1. Estimating Backlogs at the Insurance Company

After fault is decided, files involving vehicle damage must be reviewed by ICBC’s estimating teams. These teams assess whether a car is repairable or should be written off. Because of staffing shortages, repair complexity, and high claim volumes, estimating queues have grown significantly.

Compounding the issue, many collision repair shops in B.C. are experiencing increased waiting times for repairs due to a backlog of claims. A lot of collision shops in B.C. operate at full capacity or refuse non-drivable vehicles due to underfunding and staff shortages, leading to long wait times for claims. Even when a vehicle is clearly damaged, getting it into the right repair shop for inspection can take time, which often leads to frustration and dispute over perceived delays.

2. Potential Total Loss Reviews Take Longer Regardless of Driving Record

Claims that may result in a write-off require more internal review, valuation checks, and approvals. That extra scrutiny adds weeks, sometimes months, especially if the vehicle has not yet been inspected at an accredited body shop.

Even once inspected, it can take two weeks or more for valuation reviews to cycle through ICBC’s internal systems before a formal decision is issued.

3. Delays Before the Car Moves

If a vehicle stays at a home, private location, or tow yard without being transferred to an ICBC-approved facility, estimating often cannot begin. This alone can stall a claim indefinitely without the driver realizing it.

What Is a “Normal” Timeline Right Now?

Under ideal conditions, ICBC claims once moved quickly. But ICBC has experienced a shortage of estimators due to retirements and challenges in attracting new talent. The insurance industry in British Columbia is facing significant workforce shortages. That’s why today’s reality looks different.

For non-injury vehicle damage claims, many B.C. drivers are seeing:

4 to 8 weeks before an estimator reviews the file
6 to 10 weeks before a total loss decision
Faster movement only after the estimate is completed

In other words, the longest wait is usually at the front end. Once the estimate exists, settlements, approvals, compensation, and payments often move mfcolluch faster.

This matches what drivers across B.C. are reporting and what we see daily at King Insurance when helping clients navigate ICBC delays.

Does Where Your Car Is Stored Matter?

Yes. A lot.

The insurer generally needs the vehicle to be at:

An ICBC-accredited body shop, or
A tow yard that works directly with ICBC

If the vehicle remains at a private residence for weeks, the estimating team may not even open the file yet. Many drivers don’t find this out until they follow up repeatedly.

If your car is not drivable, arranging towing as early as possible can significantly reduce delays and avoid unnecessary storage fees you may later have to pay out of pocket.

Should You Keep Calling ICBC?

Calling daily won’t speed things up. But never following up is also risky.

The most effective approach is:

Polite check-ins every 10–14 days
Confirming the file is waiting on estimating, not missing information
Verifying the vehicle’s location is correctly recorded

ICBC files are human-managed. Regular, courteous follow-ups can prevent your claim from quietly slipping deeper into the queue.

How King Insurance Helps During ICBC Delays

While we don’t control ICBC timelines, we help clients avoid common mistakes that make delays worse. This includes:

Clarifying what stage your claim is actually in
Confirming whether your vehicle location is causing delays
Helping you understand next steps if your car is declared a total loss
Clarifying coverage questions, especially around rental cars and replacement options
Clarifying coverage questions, including deductible amounts, rental coverage, discounts, and when ICBC will issue payments

Many clients also have questions about optional coverages and additional services that may apply during long claim delays.

What You Can Do Right Now

If you’re waiting on an ICBC decision, here’s a quick checklist:

Confirm your vehicle is at an ICBC-recognized location
Ask whether estimating has been assigned yet
Follow up calmly every couple of weeks
Keep all claim communications documented

It’s not ideal. But understanding the process helps reduce stress and prevents unnecessary surprises.

Final Thoughts

Long ICBC claim delays are frustrating, especially when you’re without a vehicle and waiting for clarity. Unfortunately, these timelines are becoming the norm rather than the exception, particularly for total loss cases.

If you’re unsure where your claim stands or want help understanding your options, King Insurance is here to help guide you through the process and advocate for clarity.

When the system moves slowly, good information becomes even more valuable.

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 British Columbia’s insurance industry, helping customers manage risk and protect what matters most. Ka Hing is committed to ongoing learning and enjoys helping customers in Canada find the right and reasonable coverage at the best available rate, while making sure they understand the costs and their options clearly.

ICBC Taking Months for Total Loss Decisions? Claim Delays Explained