Source: http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96231_01
Timestamp: 2016-07-01 00:57:00
Document Index: 777512235

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 59', 'art 5', 'art 75', 'art 6', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art58', 'art 6', 'art 5', 'art74', 'arts 1', 'art 1', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art94', 'art 6']

Insurance (Vehicle) ActSearch Results | Clear Search | Previous (in doc) | Next (in doc) | Prev Doc | Next DocCopyright (c) Queen's Printer,	Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaLicenseDisclaimerThis Act has "Not in Force" sections. See the	Table of	Legislative Changes.Insurance (Vehicle) Act[RSBC 1996] CHAPTER
231Contents
1Definitions and application Part 1 — Universal Compulsory Vehicle Insurance 1.1Definitions 1.2Application of this Part 2Corporation to provide universal compulsory vehicle insurance 3–6Repealed 7Plan 8Repealed 9Application of other Acts 10Repealed 11Combined forms and information 12–13Repealed 14Salvage 15–16Repealed 17Limitation 18Financial responsibility in other provinces 19Relief from forfeiture 19.1–19.2Repealed 20Uninsured vehicles 21Repealed 22Corporation to be notified of action 23Repealed 24Remedy for damage in hit and run accident 25–26Repealed 27Accident report 28Medical reports 29Employers' reports 30Superintendent's records 30.1Repealed 31Excess payments and deduction of premiums 32Repealed 33Application for insurance 34Classification of vehicles and basic premium 35Premium discounts and additional premiums 36Issue of certificate 37Certificate not issued in certain case 38Insurance condition precedent to licence 39Effect of licensing action 40Expiration of certificate 41Notification 42Offences 42.1Offence 43Exemption of government vehicles 44Extraprovincial undertaking 44.1Repealed 45Power to make regulations 46Repealed 46.1Repealed 46.2Jurisdiction of the commission Part 2 47–51Not in force. Repealed Part 3 52–57Repealed Part 4 — Optional Insurance Contracts 57.1Definitions and interpretation 58Application of this Part 59Not in force. Repealed 60Duty of insurer 61Coverage of optional insurance contracts 62Coverage of non-owner's policy 63Copy of application in policy 64Use of statements in application for optional insurance contract 65Limits on physical damage 66Agreement for partial payment of claim by insured 67Partial payment of loss clause 68Relief from forfeiture 69Persons forbidden to act as agent 70Protection of insurance agent commission 71Statistical information 72Power to make regulations 72.1Variation of prescribed conditions 73Power to make regulations establishing an insurer of last resort Part 5 — General Provisions 74Application of this Part 75Forfeiture 76Third party rights 77Rights of insurer 78Payment of insurance money into court 79Defence if more than one contract 80Other insurance 81Unnamed insured 82Insured to give notice and disclose damage 82.1Liability limited for classes of owners 83Liability reduced 84Subrogation 85Waiver of term or condition 86Effect of payment under the plan or an optional insurance contract 87Territorial limits 88Out of province use 89Proof of intoxication 90Limitation on recovery for acts of violence 91Limitation on recovery in relation to stolen vehicles 92Payment to minor 93Family exclusion clauses 93.1Corporation's collection remedies 94Power to make regulations under this Part Part 6 — Vehicle Actions 95Definitions 96Alternative dispute resolution 97Application of sections 98 and 100 98Recovery for loss of income 99Structured judgments 100Apportionment Definitions and application1 (1) In this Act:
"applicant" means a person who applies for
"certificate" means a certificate of universal compulsory
vehicle insurance issued under Part 1 or the regulations under that Part;
"commission" means the British Columbia Utilities Commission
continued under section 2 of the Utilities Commission Act; "corporation" means the Insurance Corporation of British
Columbia continued by the Insurance Corporation Act; "coverage" means the right conferred on a person by this Act,
the plan or an optional insurance contract to be indemnified against liability for, or
compensated for, death, bodily injury, loss or damages;
"insurance" means the undertaking by one person to indemnify
another person against loss or liability for loss in respect of a certain risk or peril to
which the object of the insurance may be exposed, or to pay a sum of money or other thing
of value on the happening of a certain event;
"insurance money" means the amount payable by an insurer under
the plan or an optional insurance contract;
"insurer" means
the person who undertakes, agrees or offers to provide insurance under an
optional insurance contract;
"leased motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle leased or rented
to a lessee under an agreement in writing and in the ordinary course of the owner's or
lessor's business;
"lessee" has the same meaning as in section 86 (3)
of the Motor Vehicle Act; "lessor" has the same meaning as in section 86 (3)
of the Motor Vehicle Act; "licence"
in relation to a driver or operator of a vehicle, means a licence or permit
issued under the Motor Vehicle Act authorizing the holder of a licence of a designated class to drive or operate a vehicle of the category
designated for that class, and includes a learner's licence, and
in relation to a vehicle, means a licence or permit issued in respect of a
vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Act or the Commercial Transport Act or a licence or permit for a vehicle issued under any other Act;
"motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle as defined in the
Motor Vehicle Act; "optional insurance contract" means a contract of vehicle
insurance other than vehicle insurance provided under the plan, and includes
a binding oral agreement, and
a contract that provides insurance for a vehicle for which, or for the use or
operation of which, a permit or licence is not required under the Motor Vehicle Act, if the contract provides that this Act
"owner" means the person in whose name a vehicle is registered
and licensed under the Motor Vehicle Act or the Commercial Transport Act; "owner's certificate" means a certificate issued to an owner
"plan" means the plan of universal compulsory vehicle insurance
referred to in section 2 and operated by the corporation under Part 1 and the
regulations under that Part;
"policy" means the instrument evidencing an optional insurance
contract and includes an interim receipt, a renewal receipt or a binder, or writing
evidencing the contract, whether sealed or not;
"premium" means money paid or to be paid by an insured or by an
applicant for insurance to an insurer for the issue of a certificate or policy;
"superintendent" means the superintendent under the Financial Institutions Act;
"third party liability insurance coverage" means insurance
against liability arising out of
bodily injury to or the death of a person, or
loss of or damage to property,
caused by a vehicle or the use or operation of a vehicle;
"trailer" means a trailer as defined in the Motor Vehicle Act;
"universal compulsory vehicle insurance" means universal
compulsory vehicle insurance provided under the plan;
"vehicle" means motor vehicle or trailer;
"vehicle insurance" means insurance
against liability arising out of(i) bodily injury to or the death of a person, or(ii) loss of or damage to property,caused by a vehicle or the use or operation of a vehicle,
against loss of or damage to a vehicle or the loss of use of a vehicle,
against loss arising from bodily injury or death of an insured caused only
by(i) a vehicle, or(ii) the use or operation of a vehicle,but does not include
insurance relating to(i) a vehicle for which, or for the use or operation of which, a permit or licence
is not required under the Motor Vehicle Act unless the contract of insurance provides that this Act applies, or(ii) any operation, use or loss of use of a vehicle excluded by
reinsurance undertaken by one insurer for liability for loss or damage assumed
by another insurer,
insurance only against one or more of the following:(i) loss of or damage to a vehicle while in or on described premises;(ii) loss of or damage to property carried in or on a vehicle;(iii) liability for loss of or damage to property carried in or on a vehicle,
insurance solely of the interest of a person who has a lien on, or has as
security legal title to, a vehicle and who does not have possession of the
"vehicle liability policy" means a certificate or a policy
evidencing insurance against liability arising out of
caused by a vehicle or the use or operation of a vehicle.
(2) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations that(a)
include any kind or class of vehicle, as defined in the Motor Vehicle Act, within the definition of vehicle for the purposes of this
Act or the regulations, or(b)
exclude any kind or class of vehicle, as defined in the Motor Vehicle Act, from the definition of vehicle for the purposes of this Act
or the regulations.(3) The Insurance Act does not apply to insurance to which this Act applies.(4) Section
5 of the Offence Act does not apply to this Act or the regulations.
Part 1 — Universal Compulsory Vehicle InsuranceDefinitions1.1 In this Part:
"additional premium" means an additional premium charged
against an insured under section 35;
"basic premium" means that portion of the premium that is
based on criteria or classifications established under section 34, but does not include
an additional premium;
"benefits" means the prescribed benefits;
"driver's certificate" means a certificate issued under this
Part or the regulations under this Part to a person who, under the Motor Vehicle Act, may obtain a driver's licence, and the certificate
may be part of the driver's licence or a separate document;
"highway" means a highway as defined in the Motor Vehicle Act;
"point penalties" means point penalties that may be recorded
against the driving record of a driver under the Motor Vehicle Act or under this Part and the regulations under this
Application of this Part1.2 This Part applies to(a)
insurance under the plan that takes effect on or after the date this section
comes into force,(b)
claims under that insurance, and(c)
insureds and the corporation in relation to that insurance.Corporation to provide universal compulsory vehicle
insurance2 If, under the Insurance Corporation Act, the Lieutenant Governor in Council authorizes the corporation to operate the plan of universal
compulsory vehicle insurance, the corporation must operate the plan of universal
compulsory vehicle insurance in accordance with this Act and the regulations.Repealed3–6 [Repealed 2003-94-6.]Plan7 (1) Subject to section 2 and compliance with this Act and the
regulations, the corporation must administer a plan of universal compulsory vehicle
insurance providing coverage under a motor vehicle liability policy required by the
Motor Vehicle Act, of at least the amount prescribed, to all persons(a)
whether named in a certificate or not, to whom, or in respect of whom, or to
whose dependants, benefits are payable if bodily injury is sustained or death
results,(b)
whether named in a certificate or not, to whom or on whose behalf insurance
money is payable, if bodily injury to, or the death of another or others, or damage to
property, for which he or she is legally liable, results, or(c)
to whom insurance money is payable, if loss or damage to a vehicle
resultsfrom one of the perils mentioned in the regulations caused by a vehicle or its
use or operation, or any other risk arising out of its use or operation.(2) to (4) [Repealed 2003-94-7.]Repealed8 [Repealed 2003-94-8.]Application of other Acts9 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, provide that provisions
of the Insurance Corporation Act or regulations do not apply to the plan established under this Act.(2) and (3) [Repealed 2003-94-9.]Repealed10 [Repealed 1997-29-20.]Combined forms and information11 (1) Certificates and applications for insurance forms established by the corporation
may be incorporated in the appropriate application forms, certificates of registration,
registration cards, licences, permits or windshield stickers prescribed for use or used
under the Motor Vehicle Act, Commercial Transport Act or Passenger Transportation Act.(2) The corporation may require an applicant for insurance or an insured under the
plan to provide information, statements and reports, relating to or affecting the
operation of the plan, that(a)
include the content required by the corporation, and(b)
are in a form established by the corporation.(3) The corporation may require every driver or owner, or, in the case of a leased
motor vehicle, the lessee, of a vehicle that(a)
is required to be registered and licensed in British Columbia, and(b)
is involved in an incident out of which arises injury or death to a person or
damage to property,to provide to the corporation information required by the corporation relating
to the incident, in a form established by the corporation.(4) The corporation may require an insured to(a)
provide notices, proofs of claim, proofs of loss, reports and statements that
comply with any other method of making and proving claims that is established
by the corporation.Repealed12–13 [Repealed 2003-94-11.]Salvage14 The corporation may acquire and hold for the benefit of the plan the salvage to
which it becomes entitled(a)
on settlement of a claim under the plan, and(b)
as provided by the regulations.Repealed15–16 [Repealed 2003-94-11.]Limitation17 An action or proceeding by an insured against the corporation in respect of
benefits, insurance money or indemnification payable under the plan must be commenced
within one year after the happening of the loss or damage or after the cause of action
arose, or as the regulations may provide in the case of any coverage, but not
afterwards.Financial responsibility in other provinces18 (1) For the purpose of availing to persons insured under the plan or part of the
plan financial responsibility of the kind and form required under the laws of another
province, state or territory, the corporation may execute and file with the public
authorities in that place, as required,(a)
a power of attorney authorizing acceptance of service of notice or process for
itself or its insured in an action or proceeding arising out of the vehicle accident
in the province, state or territory,(b)
an undertaking to appear in the action or proceeding, or(c)
an agreement to submit to the jurisdiction of the court in the province, state
or territory and not to set up a defence in the action or proceeding that would not be
available to an insurer under third party liability insurance coverage issued
there,and the corporation may do all acts necessary and incidental to the execution
and filing of the documents referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c).(2) If the corporation receives notice of process in an action or proceeding arising
out of a vehicle accident that occurred outside British Columbia for which the insured
may be liable, and it has, within 5 days of receiving the notice, either personally
delivered to the insured or forwarded to the insured by registered mail to the last
known address of the insured a copy of the notice, the insured is liable to reimburse
the corporation on demand the amount the corporation has paid by reason of this section
that it would not otherwise be liable to pay, and the corporation may enforce the right
by action in court.(3) If the insured is liable to reimburse the corporation for an amount that the
corporation has paid by reason of this section that it would not otherwise be liable to
pay and 30 days have elapsed after demand has been made by the corporation for
reimbursement, section 20 (12), (13), (14) and (15) applies.(4) In an action in another province of Canada against the corporation, or against a
person insured with third party liability insurance coverage, arising out of a vehicle
accident in that province, the corporation must appear and must not, as to third party
liability insurance coverage, set up a defence to a claim under an owner's certificate,
including a defence as to the limit or limits of liability, that might not be set up if
the claim were under vehicle insurance that provides third party liability insurance
coverage issued in that province.Relief from forfeiture19 (1) [Repealed 2003-94-13.](2) If a forfeiture under section 75 would appear inequitable, the corporation
may relieve a person affected by it from the forfeiture of all or any insurance
money.(3) The corporation must relieve an insured from a forfeiture of the benefits under
section 75 that it considers equitable if, as a result of an accident, the insured
dies or suffers a loss of function of mind or body that renders the insured permanently
incapable of engaging in any occupation for wages or profit.Repealed19.1–19.2 [Repealed 2003-94-14.]Uninsured vehicles20 (1) In this section:
"claimant" means a person who alleges that he or she has a
right of action against an uninsured motorist for damages arising from bodily injury to
or the death of a person, or loss of or damage to property, caused by or arising out of
the use or operation of a motor vehicle, but does not include a person who is entitled
to bring an action against the corporation under section 24;
"motor vehicle" includes a trailer, but does not
a motor vehicle or trailer in respect of which there exists proof of financial
responsibility given in the manner provided for by sections 106 to 113 of the
Motor Vehicle Act, or (b)
a motor vehicle or trailer owned by, or by an agent of, the Crown in right of
any other province or of Canada;
"owner", in relation to a motor vehicle, includes a
"uninsured motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle used or
operated or owned by an uninsured motorist;
"uninsured motorist" means a person who uses or operates a
motor vehicle on a highway in British Columbia when he or she is not insured under third
party liability insurance coverage that provides indemnity in a prescribed amount, not
less than $100 000, against liability imposed by law arising from bodily injury to or
the death of a person, or loss of or damage to property, caused by or arising out of the
use or operation of a motor vehicle, and includes the owner of a motor vehicle that is
used or operated on a highway in British Columbia when the owner is not so
(2) A claimant may apply to the corporation, in the prescribed form, for payment of
the damages to which he or she claims to be entitled.(3) The corporation must, on receiving an application under subsection
(2), send by registered mail a notice of the application, in the prescribed
form, to the uninsured motorist and, if he or she is not the same person, to the owner
of the uninsured motor vehicle, at the last addresses for them according to the records
of the corporation.(4) A notice sent under subsection (3) is deemed to have been received on the
eighth day after mailing.(5) If a notice is sent under subsection (3), the corporation may(a)
settle with or consent to judgment in favour of the claimant on behalf of and
in the name of a person to whom the notice was sent, but if that person replies to the
corporation within the time limited by the notice, denying liability, the corporation
is not entitled to recover from that person an amount paid by it until it has
recovered a judgment against that person as provided in subsection (11), or(b)
require the claimant to bring or continue an action against all persons who
may be liable to the claimant for the damages claimed.(6) If, in an action brought by a claimant, an uninsured motorist(a)
fails to file a response to civil claim or to appear in person or by counsel
at the trial or assessment of damages,(b)
consents to the entry of judgment against him or her, or(c)
does or fails to do anything that entitles the claimant to take default
proceedings,the corporation must not make a payment to the claimant under this section
unless notice of the failure, consent or act of default has been given to the
corporation in time to enable the corporation to rectify it and the corporation fails to
intervene in the action within 30 days after receiving notice of the failure, consent or
act of default.(7) If the corporation receives notice under subsection (6), it may intervene
in the action and, on behalf of and in the name of the uninsured motorist, whether or
not he or she is an infant, take any steps that he or she might have taken in the
action, and anything done by the corporation is deemed to be done by the uninsured
motorist, but the failure of the uninsured motorist to comply with an order of the court
or rule of court does not prejudice the corporation in a proceeding it may take in the
action.(8) A judgment by consent against an uninsured motorist who is an infant must not be
entered without the approval of the court.(9) If the corporation enters into a settlement with a claimant or a claimant
obtains a judgment against an uninsured motorist in accordance with this section and the
claimant has otherwise complied with this section and the regulations, the corporation
may, subject to the regulations, pay all or part of the settlement or
judgment.(10) The corporation must not, without the consent of a person to whom a notice was
sent under subsection (3), enter into a settlement on behalf of that person or
consent to judgment against that person, for an amount in excess of the amount to be
paid to the claimant by the corporation under subsection (9).(11) The corporation, on making a payment to a claimant, is subrogated to the
claimant's rights against any other person liable to the claimant for the damages
claimed and may bring an action to recover the damages against the other person in its
name or in the name of the claimant, but neither a settlement under subsection (5)
(a) nor a consent to judgment under that subsection limits the defences
that an uninsured motorist may raise against the corporation.(12) Subject to subsection (5), the corporation may, in addition to
any other remedy it may have, send a notice demanding reimbursement for damages or costs
or both together with any interest that it has paid to a claimant to(a)
the uninsured motorist,(b)
the owner of the uninsured motor vehicle, if he or she is also liable for the
damages caused, or(c)
both of the persons referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b),at the last addresses for them according to the records of the
corporation.(13) The corporation may agree to accept payment in instalments from a person
indebted to it under this section.(14) If instalments to be paid by a person under an agreement referred to in
(13) are in arrears, the corporation may(a)
suspend the licence, permit or corresponding number plates of a motor vehicle
or trailer owned by the person, or(b)
refuse to issue to the person a driver's licence or a licence, permit or
corresponding number plates of a motor vehicle or trailer owned by the
person.(15) A person who is indebted to the corporation under this section may, on notice to
the corporation, apply to the Supreme Court for an order that he or she be permitted to
pay the indebtedness in instalments in amounts and at times determined by the court,
and on an order being made, subsections (13) and (14) apply to(a)
the corporation refusing to issue the person's driver's licence or a motor
vehicle licence, a permit or corresponding number plates for a motor vehicle or
trailer owned by the person, and(b)
the suspension of the person's motor vehicle licence, permit or corresponding
number plates for a motor vehicle or trailer owned by the person.(16) The corporation, on application by a person who would otherwise be a claimant
but whose right of action has been extinguished because he or she has, without the
consent of the corporation, entered into a settlement with the uninsured motorist or the
owner of the uninsured motor vehicle or both, may pay to the person that part, if any,
of the amount owing and unpaid under the settlement that the corporation considers
appropriate in the circumstances.(17) The corporation must not consider an application by a claimant under this
section if any other motorist who is liable for all or part of the claimant's damages is
insured against liability in respect of those damages, but the corporation, if it
considers it appropriate in the circumstances, may waive the requirements of this
subsection in respect of any one or more of the persons against whom the claimant has a
cause of action.(18) The corporation must not pay a claimant who ordinarily resides outside British
Columbia an amount in excess of the amount that a resident of British Columbia would
recover under the same circumstances from a similar fund in the jurisdiction in which
the claimant ordinarily resides.Repealed21 [Repealed 2003-94-16.]Corporation to be notified of action22 (1) Every person commencing an action for damages caused by a vehicle in British
Columbia must(a)
serve the corporation with a copy of the notice of civil claim in the manner
provided for serving a defendant in the action, and(b)
file proof of the service in the court in which the action is
pending.(2) A further step in the action must not be taken until the expiration of 8 days
after the filing.Repealed23 [Repealed 2003-94-18.]Remedy for damage in hit and run accident24 (1) If bodily injury to or the death of a person or damage to property arises out of
the use or operation of a vehicle on a highway in British Columbia and(a)
the names of both the owner and the driver of the vehicle are not
ascertainable, or(b)
the name of the driver is not ascertainable and the owner is not liable to an
action for damages for the injury, death or property damage,any person who has a cause of action(c)
as mentioned in paragraph (a), against the owner or the driver,
as mentioned in paragraph (b), against the driver,in respect of the bodily injury, death or property damage may bring an action
against the corporation as nominal defendant, either alone or as a defendant with others
alleged to be responsible for the injury, death or property damage, but in an action in
which the names of both the owner and the driver of the vehicle are not known or
ascertainable, recovery for property damage is limited to the amount by which the
damages exceed the prescribed amount.(2) Proceedings must not be brought against the corporation as nominal defendant
under this section unless the person bringing them gives written notice to the
corporation as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within 6 months after the
accident that caused the bodily injury, death or property damage.(3) If, after an action referred to in subsection (1) has been
commenced, it is alleged that the injury, death or property damage was caused or
contributed to by another vehicle, but(a)
action for damages for the injury, death or property damage,the corporation may be added as a nominal defendant on the application of any
party and must be added as a nominal defendant on its own application.(4) In an action against the corporation as nominal defendant, the corporation may
deny generally the allegations in respect of the unidentified vehicle and its owner and
driver, and need not set out the facts on which it relies.(5) In an action against the corporation as nominal defendant, a judgment against
the corporation must not be given unless the court is satisfied that(a)
all reasonable efforts have been made by the parties to ascertain the identity
of the unknown owner and driver or unknown driver, as the case may be, and(b)
the identity of those persons or that person, as the case may be, is not
ascertainable.(6) If the identity of the unknown owner or driver is ascertained before judgment is
granted in an action against the insurer as nominal defendant, then, despite the
limitation period in the Motor Vehicle Act, that owner or driver must be added as a defendant in the action in substitution for the corporation,
subject to the conditions the court may specify.(7) The corporation may, at any stage, compromise and settle the claim of a person
entitled to commence an action under this section.(8) On judgment against the corporation as nominal defendant under this section and
expiration of the time limited for appeal, or on the compromise and settlement of a
claim under this section, the corporation must pay toward satisfaction of the judgment
or claim an amount that the corporation is authorized to pay under this Act and the
terms, conditions and limits of the plan.(9) If, under this section, a judgment has been obtained against the corporation as
nominal defendant or the corporation has settled a claim, the corporation may
apply(a)
to the court where the judgment has been obtained, or(b)
if a claim has been settled, to the court that would have had jurisdiction to
entertain an action for the recovery of damages to the amount of the
settlementfor an order certifying that a person was, at the time of the accident, the
owner or driver of the vehicle that caused the bodily injury, death or property damage
in respect of which the judgment was obtained or settlement made.(10) If the court hearing an application under subsection (9) is satisfied on
the evidence that the person named in the application was at the time of the accident
the owner, driver or both of the vehicle involved in that accident, it may make the
order applied for, unless it is satisfied that the person would not have been liable for
damages if he or she had appeared and defended the action or, in the case of a claim
settled before action, in an action that might have been brought to enforce the claim,
or it may direct the trial of an issue.(11) On the making of an order under subsection (10) or on judgment of the trial of
an issue directed under that subsection, the person certified, whether or not the driver
of the vehicle is named in an unexpired driver's certificate and whether or not the
vehicle is specified in an unexpired owner's certificate, is liable to pay the
corporation as a debt due and owing all amounts paid by it pursuant to any judgment or
settlement under this section, and section 20 (12), (13) and (15) applies.(12) The amount paid by the corporation to a claimant who ordinarily resides outside
British Columbia is limited to the lesser of(a)
the amount limited by this Act, and(b)
the amount that a resident of British Columbia could recover under the same
circumstances from a similar fund in the jurisdiction in which the claimant ordinarily
resides.(13) In this section, "owner", in relation to a motor vehicle,
includes a lessee.Repealed25–26 [Repealed 2003-94-20.]Accident report27 A person receiving an accident report under section 67 of the Motor Vehicle Act must, as soon as reasonably practicable after a
request for it by the corporation, mail or deliver a copy to the corporation.Medical reports28 If any of the following persons attends to, diagnoses, treats or is consulted by a
person injured in a motor vehicle accident in British Columbia, he or she must, whenever
the corporation requests, provide the corporation, as soon as reasonably practicable, with
a report of the injuries and their diagnosis and treatment and a prognosis, in the form
the corporation prescribes:(a)
a medical practitioner;(a.1)
a nurse practitioner;(b)
a person entitled to practise as a chiropractor under an enactment;(c)
a person entitled to practise dentistry under an enactment;(d)
a person entitled to practise physical therapy under the Health Professions Act;(e)
an employee of a hospital as defined in the Hospital Act.Employers' reports29 An employer of a person by or for whom benefits are claimed from the corporation
must, whenever the corporation requests, provide to the corporation as soon as reasonably
practicable a statement of that person's earnings in the form established by the
corporation.Superintendent's records30 Despite any Act or law to the contrary, the corporation has access to all books,
documents, records, reports and other things, and to all facilities of, belonging to or
available to the superintendent under the Motor Vehicle Act, the ministry of the minister responsible for the
administration of the Transportation Act or the Passenger Transportation Board, as the corporation may consider necessary to better carry out this
Act and regulations.Repealed30.1 [Repealed 2003-94-25 as re-enacted 2006-28-26.]Excess payments and deduction of premiums31 (1) If the corporation has paid out money in excess of the amount authorized by the
regulations, it may recover that excess by action as a debt due to the
corporation.(2) The corporation may deduct from the payment of insurance money the amount of any
premium.Repealed32 [Repealed 2003-94-27.]Application for insurance33 (1) At the time of or before applying for(a)
any class or kind of licence or permit for a motor vehicle or trailer or their
use or operation under the Motor Vehicle Act or Commercial Transport Act, or(b)	registration of a notice of transfer under section 17 of the Motor Vehicle Act,the applicant must apply for the corresponding owner's certificate or driver's
certificate, and, at the same time, must pay to the person receiving the application the
basic premium for that class of certificate and any additional premium that, having been
assessed against the applicant, is due and owing.(2) The application for a certificate under subsection (1) may be
made(a)
to a person appointed as agent of the corporation under this Act,
at the head office or a branch office of the corporation,unless the Lieutenant Governor in Council, by regulation, otherwise
directs.Classification of vehicles and basic premium34 (1) The corporation may establish(a)
classes and subclasses of vehicles and drivers of vehicles, and(b)
basic premiums that apply to each of the classes and subclasses.(1.1) For the purposes of subsection (1), the corporation may do any or all of
the following:(a)
establish classes and subclasses of drivers by regions of British Columbia or
otherwise;(b)
establish the regions referred to in paragraph (a);(c)
adopt a system of classifying drivers provided for under another
adopt or establish a point penalty system classifying drivers according to the
number, nature and kind of violations or offences committed by them in contravention
of the Motor Vehicle Act, a municipal bylaw relating to the regulation of vehicular traffic, the Criminal Code or any similar law in another province, state or country
relating to the operation of a motor vehicle;(e)
according to any system of classifying drivers adopted under paragraph
(c) or any point penalty system adopted or established under paragraph
(d), assess and levy basic or additional premiums under the plan against
drivers at the times and under the terms and conditions the corporation considers
appropriate.(2) The basic premium payable for an owner's certificate is that established by the
corporation for the class or subclass of vehicle to which that owner's certificate is
appropriate.(3) The basic premium payable for a driver's certificate is that established by the
corporation for the class or subclass of driver to which that driver's certificate is
appropriate.(4) Basic premiums for universal compulsory vehicle insurance must be established by
the corporation before the beginning of the period for which they are
effective.(5) [Repealed 2003-94-28.]Premium discounts and additional premiums35 The corporation may establish discounts from premiums and establish additional
premiums to be paid by owners or drivers based on any one or more of the
the accident record of the owner or driver;(b)
the degree of fault of the owner or driver in respect of an accident;(c)
the type or class of vehicle to be operated, the use to which it will be put or
any other basis approved by the commission.Issue of certificate36 (1) On payment of the basic premium and any additional premium established under
35, and approval of the application by the corporation, the corporation
must issue to the applicant the appropriate owner's certificate or driver's
certificate.(2) An owner's certificate, driver's certificate and the applications for them must
be in a form required by the corporation, and must be designed and
constituted(a)
to meet the interest of convenience and economy, and(b)
to adequately identify the permit or licence under the Motor Vehicle Act or Commercial Transport Act, or a motor vehicle or trailer or driver's licence, permit
or other authority to drive a motor vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Act to which the owner's certificate or the driver's
certificate corresponds.(3) The corporation must provide for the issue and delivery of all motor vehicle
liability insurance cards required under the Motor Vehicle Act by persons insured under owners' certificates but there may
be printed on an owner's certificate under the heading "Motor Vehicle Liability
Insurance Card" particulars established by the corporation for motor vehicle liability
insurance cards that are required under the Motor Vehicle Act, and the particulars so printed constitute a motor vehicle
liability insurance card under and for the purpose of the Motor Vehicle Act.(4) A document purporting to be a certificate of insurance under this Act and a
motor vehicle liability insurance card, or either of them, either alone or in
combination with any permit or licence for a motor vehicle or trailer or their use or
operation, or any driver's licence, permit or other authority to drive a motor vehicle
that bears a signature purporting to be the signature of the general manager of the
corporation, unless the contrary is shown, is deemed to be an owner's certificate, a
driver's certificate or a motor vehicle liability insurance card issued under this Act
to the person named in it.(5) A motor vehicle liability insurance card must not be issued unless the insurance
evidenced in it meets the minimum requirements for a certificate.(6) [Repealed 2003-94-29 as re-enacted 2006-28-28.]Certificate not issued in certain case37 (1) An owner's certificate must not be issued under this Act for a motor vehicle or
trailer or its use or operation for which a permit or licence is not required under the
Motor Vehicle Act.(2) An owner's certificate must not be issued for a motor vehicle or trailer for which the corporation refuses to issue a licence or permit under section 28
of the Motor Vehicle Act.(3) A certificate issued contrary to subsection (1) or (2) is void and is deemed to have always been void.(4) An owner's certificate is deemed to have lapsed and is void immediately when the
vehicle, for which the owner's certificate was issued, is registered and licensed in
another province or state.(5) Subsection (4) does not apply if a reciprocal or prorate registration or
licence is issued by another province or state in respect of a vehicle registered under
the Commercial Transport Act.Insurance condition precedent to licence38 (1) Except for a vehicle exempted by the regulations, a permit of any kind and a licence, licence plate or decal for a vehicle or for its use or operation must not be
granted, issued or renewed under the Motor Vehicle Act or the Commercial Transport Act, unless at or before the time of application the applicant
has applied to the corporation or its agent for and is entitled to an owner's
certificate under this Act in respect of the vehicle for the term of the permit or
licence, or part of that term as may be prescribed, and the applicant has paid the
premium for the owner's certificate.(2) A driver's licence, permit or other authority to drive or operate a motor
vehicle must not be issued or renewed under the Motor Vehicle Act, unless(a)
at or before the time of application the applicant has applied to the
corporation or its agent for and is entitled to a driver's certificate under this Act
for the term of that licence or permit or part of that term as may be prescribed,
the applicant has paid the premium established for that driver's
certificate.(3) If the corporation receives for registration a notice of transfer of a vehicle
17 of the Motor Vehicle Act, the corporation must refuse registration unless the transferee has paid the corporation(a)
the premium or fee prescribed for the transfer.(b)
[Repealed 2003-94-30 as re-enacted 2006-28-29.]Effect of licensing action39 (1) The suspension, revocation, cancellation or surrender, under any law, of a
licence for a vehicle or its use or operation issued under the Motor Vehicle Act or Commercial Transport Act automatically suspends, revokes or cancels, as the case may
be, the owner's certificate in which the vehicle is specified and that corresponds to
that permit or licence.(2) The suspension, revocation, cancellation or surrender, under any law, of a
driver's licence, permit or other authority to drive issued to a person under the
Motor Vehicle Act automatically suspends, revokes or cancels, as the case may be, the driver's certificate in which that person is named and
that corresponds to that licence, permit or other authority to drive.(3) Despite this section, for the purposes of this Act an owner's certificate is not
suspended or cancelled merely because of the surrender of a vehicle licence in
compliance with a regulation made under section 216 (1) (f) of the Motor Vehicle Act, until the vehicle licence and corresponding number plates
have been returned to the corporation.Expiration of certificate40 (1) Subject to its earlier suspension, revocation, cancellation or surrender, an
owner's certificate is valid for the period beginning(a)
at the time and on the date of validation specified in the certificate,
at the beginning of the day on the effective date specified in the
certificate,whichever is later, and expiring at the end of the day on the date of expiry of
the licence for the vehicle described in the certificate or at the end of the day on the
date specified in the certificate.(2) Despite the date of issue, a driver's certificate, unless earlier suspended,
revoked, cancelled or surrendered, expires at the end of the day on the anniversary date
of the driver's birth.(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the anniversary date of a person born
on February 29, in other than leap years, is deemed to be March 1.(4) On application for renewal or replacement of a certificate, the applicant must
pay the corporation or its agent the premium established for the class or subclass of
certificate applied for, and any additional premium established by the
corporation.(5) If an owner's certificate in respect of a vehicle is not, before its expiration,
renewed or replaced by another owner's certificate for the same vehicle, a permit or
licence for that vehicle or its use or operation issued under the Motor Vehicle Act or Commercial Transport Act that corresponds to the owner's certificate, on the expiry
of the owner's certificate and without further act or notice from the corporation, is
suspended, invalid and of no effect until it is renewed, replaced, reinstated or
validated following application for, payment of the premium for and issue of the
appropriate owner's certificate.(6) If a driver's certificate is not, before its expiration, renewed or replaced by
another driver's certificate for the same person, the driver's licence, permit or other
authority to drive under the Motor Vehicle Act of the driver and that corresponds to the certificate, by virtue of and from the time of the default,
without further act or notice from the corporation, is suspended, invalid and of no
effect until it is renewed, replaced, reinstated or validated following application for,
payment of the premium for and issue of the appropriate driver's certificate.Notification41 (1) The superintendent must notify the corporation of every suspension or
cancellation of a licence or a permit to drive that the superintendent under the
Motor Vehicle Act imposes under that Act.(2) The corporation may notify the Passenger Transportation Board of(a)	the default of a person in paying a premium or an additional premium due to
the corporation for a certificate of insurance, or(b)
a suspension or cancellation of a certificate.Offences42 A person who contravenes section 11 (3), 27, 28, 29 or 30 commits an offence and
on conviction is liable to the penalties provided in the Offence Act.Offence42.1 (1) In this section, "claim" includes(a)
a claim for damages for injury, death or loss of or damage to property that
arises out of the use or operation of a motor vehicle, if the claim is made against a
person who is insured by the corporation for third party legal liability,(b)
an application to the corporation for benefits or insurance money to be paid
by the corporation, and(c)
a claim under section 20 or 24.(2) A person commits an offence who(a)
provides or causes another to provide to the corporation or its
representatives information material to a claim that the person knew or ought to have
known is false or misleading, whether the information is required under this Act or is
volunteered, or(b)
makes a statement or representation to the corporation or its representatives
that the person knew or ought to have known is false or misleading in order to obtain
payment for goods or services provided to a person making a claim, whether or not the
goods or services were actually provided to that person.(3) The time limit for laying an information respecting an offence under this Act is
the earlier of(a)
18 months after the facts on which the information is based first came to the
knowledge of the corporation, and(b)
6 years after the information is provided or the statement or representation
is made.(4) An individual who commits an offence under subsection (2) is
liable,(a)
on a first conviction, to a fine of not more than $25 000 or to imprisonment
for not more than 2 years, or to both, and(b)
on each subsequent conviction, to a fine of not more than $50 000 or to
imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or to both.(5) A corporation that commits an offence under subsection (2) is
on a first conviction, to a fine of not more than $100 000, and(b)
on each subsequent conviction, to a fine of not more than $200 000.(6) At the time of sentencing a person convicted of an offence under this section,
the court may order that, in addition to any other penalty, the offender must pay
compensation or make restitution to the corporation for the actual loss or damage caused
by or arising out of the commission of the offence including, without limitation,
compensation or restitution for(a)
any money paid by the corporation as a result of the commission of the
offence, including, without limitation, any money paid to or on behalf of the
offender, and(b)
any expenses incurred by the corporation in connection with the claim,
including, without limitation, the expenses incurred by the corporation in relation to
investigation, file handling and prosecution of the offence.(7) If an order in favour of the corporation is made under subsection
(6), the corporation may, by filing the order in a registry of the Supreme
Court, enter as a judgment the amount ordered to be paid and that judgment is
enforceable against the offender in the same manner as if it were a judgment rendered
against the offender in that court in civil proceedings.(8) Nothing in this section precludes the corporation or any other person from
taking any civil action or exercising any right of recovery against a person who commits
an offence under this section.Exemption of government vehicles43 (1) This Act and the regulations do not apply to vehicles owned, leased or operated
by Canada or the government of another province, territory or state, but apply to
vehicles owned and operated or leased and operated by the government of British Columbia
and their drivers.(2) Despite subsection (1), the corporation may negotiate and conclude an agreement
with a government excluded under that subsection to bring any or all vehicles owned,
leased or operated by that government in British Columbia within the operation of this
Act.Extraprovincial undertaking44 (1) In this section, "extraprovincial undertaking" means a work
or undertaking for the transport of passengers or goods by motor vehicle or trailer,
connecting British Columbia with another province of Canada, or extending beyond the
limits of British Columbia.(2) The provisions of this Act and the regulations respecting the requirement for
vehicle insurance do not apply to an owner or operator of an extraprovincial undertaking
who gives proof of financial responsibility under section 106 (2) (b) of the Motor Vehicle Act.Repealed44.1 [Repealed 2003-94-36.]Power to make regulations45 (1) [Repealed 2003-94-37.](2) Without limiting any power of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make
regulations under any other Part of this Act, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may
make regulations under this Part as follows:(a)
establishing, amending and revoking the plan of universal compulsory vehicle
insurance for the insurance inside and outside British Columbia of losses, damages,
injuries or deaths arising out of the perils and risks attendant on or relating to the
use, operation or ownership of vehicles the Lieutenant Governor in Council may
designate;(b)
establishing the terms, conditions and limits of insurance under the
plan;(c)
[Repealed 2003-35-17.](d)
designating those persons who are, or may be, insured under the plan, the
benefits or insurance money payable to insured persons and the perils or risks for
which insurance may be provided;(e)
respecting the insuring of vehicles that are part of a fleet, or used for
commerce or business, defining the meaning of "fleet" and specifying the circumstances
in which vehicles must be insured as part of a fleet or as commercial or business
vehicles;(f)
prescribing the duration of the period of coverage provided under a
certificate, or a certificate that comes within a prescribed class or subclass and
permitting the corporation to specify the duration of the period of coverage in
particular cases;(g)
[Repealed 2003-94-37.](h)
prescribing rights of salvage in favour of the corporation that may be
considered necessary for the purposes of the plan;(i)
[Repealed 2003-35-17.](j)
establishing a plan for payment by the corporation to any person sustaining
loss from bodily injury or death, or damage to property, arising out of the use or
operation of a motor vehicle where(i) the name of the owner, lessee or driver is not ascertainable, or(ii) the name of the driver is not ascertainable and neither the owner nor the
lessee is liable;the terms, conditions and limits of liability of the corporation under the
plan and the duties and liabilities of the owners and drivers of motor vehicles
respecting reimbursement of the corporation for the payments;(k)
establishing and determining, with respect to the plan, the right of a person
who would have a cause of action in British Columbia against the owner, lessee or
driver of an uninsured motor vehicle to apply to the corporation for payment of
damages and the terms and conditions and limits of liability of the corporation for
payment of the claims for damages, and determining whether payment and the amount of
payment are within the discretion of the corporation, and providing for the obtaining
of consents to payment by those persons liable for the losses, damages, injuries or
deaths, and the execution under seal or otherwise of agreements by those persons
liable for the repayment to the corporation of amounts paid to claimants;(l)
providing that the corporation is an agent of the owner or lessee of every
uninsured motor vehicle for service of notice of process in an action in British
Columbia arising out of the use or operation in British Columbia of an uninsured motor
vehicle and the manner of giving that notice to the corporation and the
defendant;(m)
providing, with respect to the plan, for settlement and payment of a claim,
judgment or unsatisfied portion of a judgment, for damages for injury to, or the death
of, any person or loss of, or damage to, property caused in British Columbia by an
uninsured motor vehicle owned or operated by a person, or leased to a lessee, in
British Columbia, the terms and conditions governing payment and the maximum amount of
money payable respecting any person, accident or occurrence;(n)
determining the residence of persons for purposes of this Act, the regulations
and the plan, and determining the rights of nonresidents to receive benefits or
payments of any kind under the plan, or exempting nonresidents, as described in the
regulations, from this Act or the regulations;(o)
authorizing additional services and expenditures by the corporation on behalf
of a person insured under an owner's certificate and providing that the corporation
may, in the name and on behalf of any person insured by an owner's certificate, defend
at its cost any civil action brought against the person by anyone respecting a loss,
damage, injury or death for which the person may be liable and designating the terms
and conditions governing the provision of additional services and the making of
additional expenditures;(p)
[Repealed 2003-35-17.](q)
respecting the combining of fees payable under the Motor Vehicle Act and the premium payable under this Act;(q.1)
allowing the corporation to set the amounts of, and recover, prescribed fees,
charges or interest;(r)
providing for and prescribing the conditions governing the refund or rebate of
all or part of a premium paid to the corporation under this Act and the
plan;(s) to (v)
[Repealed 2003-94-37.](w)
prescribing the deductible amount that applies to property damage claims made
under section 24.(x)
[Not enacted.](y)
[Repealed 2003-37-26.](3) [Repealed 2003-94-37.](4) Subject to section 85, the observance of terms or conditions
established under subsection (1) or (2) is a condition precedent to a person obtaining
benefits, insurance money or indemnification provided under the plan.(5) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, exclude or exempt a
nonresident or class of nonresidents and a vehicle or class of them from the operation
of all or part of this Part or the regulations under this Part, or all or part of the
plan, on the terms and conditions the Lieutenant Governor in Council
prescribes.Repealed46 [Repealed 2003-94-38.]Repealed46.1 [Repealed 2003-37-26.]Jurisdiction of the commission46.2 (1) Nothing in this Act limits the jurisdiction of the commission under Part 2 of
the Insurance Corporation Act.(2) In the event of a conflict between this Act and Part 2 of the Insurance Corporation Act, Part 2 of the Insurance Corporation Act applies.(3) Without limiting subsections (1) and (2) of this section, and despite section 45 (6) of the Insurance Corporation Act, the commission has the jurisdiction to approve, to require replacement of or to override and replace any or all
of the following, whether or not prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, at
any time and for any purpose related to rates within the meaning of section 44 (3) (a)
of the Insurance Corporation Act:(a)	classes and subclasses of vehicles and drivers of vehicles;(b)
basic premiums;(c)
interim premiums;(d)
discounts from premiums;(e)
Part 2Not in force. Repealed47–51 [Not in force. Repealed 2006-33-1.]
Part 3Repealed52–57 [Repealed 2003-94-40.]
Part 4 — Optional Insurance ContractsDefinitions and interpretation57.1 (1) In this Part:
"non-owner's policy" means a vehicle liability policy
evidencing an optional insurance contract that insures a person solely in respect of the
use or operation by the person or on the person's behalf of a vehicle that is not owned
"owner's policy" means a vehicle liability policy evidencing
an optional insurance contract that insures a person in respect of
the ownership, use or operation of a vehicle that is(i) owned by him or her, and(ii) within the description or definition of that vehicle in the policy,
if the optional insurance contract so provides, in respect of the use or
operation of any other vehicle;
"prescribed condition" means a term or condition prescribed
under section 72 (a).
(2) For the purposes of this Part, a person is not considered to be the owner of a
vehicle only because the person has a lien on the vehicle or has legal title to the
vehicle as security.Application of this Part58 This Part applies to(a)
optional insurance contracts that are made or renewed in British Columbia and
that take effect on or after the date this section comes into force,(b)
claims under those contracts, and(c)
insureds and insurers in relation to those contracts.Not in force. Repealed59 [Not in force. Repealed 2006-28-35.]Duty of insurer60 An optional insurance contract evidenced by a vehicle liability policy, other than
a vehicle liability policy that extends coverage specified in a certificate, must provide
that if a person insured by the contract is involved in an accident resulting from the
ownership, use or operation of a vehicle, or, in the case of a leased motor vehicle, from
the possession of the leased motor vehicle by the lessee or the use or operation of the
motor vehicle, in respect of which insurance is provided under the contract and resulting
in loss or damage to persons or property, the insurer must, at its own expense, do the
on receipt of notice of a claim for damages brought against an insured, assist
the insured by investigating and negotiating a settlement, if in the opinion of the
insurer the assistance is necessary;(b)
defend in the name of the insured any action for damages brought against the
insured;(c)
pay costs, expenses, interest and reimbursement that are prescribed by the
regulations.Coverage of optional insurance contracts61 (1) An optional insurance contract may only(a)
extend coverage that is specified in a certificate or a policy to a limit that
is in excess of that provided by the certificate or policy for every insured, and,
except as provided under subsection (1.1), on the same terms and conditions,
provide coverage that is not specified in a certificate or in a policy that
extends the coverage that is specified in a certificate.(1.1) Subject to subsections (1.2) and (2) and the regulations, an optional insurance
contract referred to in subsection (1) (a) may prohibit a specified person or
class of persons from using or operating the vehicle, exclude coverage for a specified
risk or provide different limits of coverage for different persons or risks or classes
of persons or risks.(1.2) An optional insurance contract may not, in respect of third party liability
insurance coverage,(a)
prohibit a person who is living with and as a member of the family
of(i) the owner of the vehicle, and(ii) in the case of a leased motor vehicle, if the policy was purchased by the
lessee, of the lessee of the motor vehicle,from using or operating the vehicle, or(b)
exclude or provide different limits of coverage for that person.(2) A prohibition, an exclusion or a limit referred to in subsection
(1.1) is not binding on the insured unless the policy has printed on it in
a prominent place in conspicuous lettering the words "This policy contains prohibitions
relating to persons or classes of persons, exclusions of risks or limits of coverage
that are not in the insurance it extends".(3) and (4) [Not in force. Repealed 2006-28-37.](5) Despite any provision in an optional insurance contract extending the limit of
coverage specified in a certificate or a policy, the coverage under the optional
insurance contract terminates if the coverage provided by the certificate or policy
terminates.(6) Coverage that is prohibited by the regulations is null and void.(7) Despite any provision of this Act or the regulations, an insurer is not liable
to an insured under an optional insurance contract for loss or damage in circumstances
specified in the owner's policy if(a)
the optional insurance contract relates to a vehicle that is not required
under the Motor Vehicle Act to be licensed and insured, and(b)
the owner's policy is endorsed with a statement that the insurer is not liable
to the insured for loss or damage in those circumstances.(8) In subsection (2), "policy" does not include an interim
receipt, a renewal receipt or a binder.Coverage of non-owner's policy62 Every optional insurance contract evidenced by a non-owner's policy insures the
person named in it and any other person who is named in the non-owner's policy, against
liability arising out of(a)
bodily injury to or the death of a person, or(b)
loss of or damage to propertycaused by a vehicle to which the non-owner's policy applies or the use or
operation of the vehicle.Copy of application in policy63 (1) An insurer who issues a policy evidencing an optional insurance contract must
ensure that embodied in, endorsed on or attached to the policy when issued is a copy of
whichever of the following is applicable:(a)
the written application for the optional insurance contract, signed by the
insured or the insured's agent;(b)
if no signed application is made, a copy of the purported
application;(c)
if the application forms part of a larger application, a copy of that part of
the larger application or purported application that is material to the optional
insurance contract.(2) If no signed written application is received by the insurer before the issue of
the policy, the insurer must deliver or mail to the insured named in the policy, or to
the insured's agent, a form of application to be completed and signed by the insured and
returned to the insurer.(3) The insurer must deliver or mail to the insured named in the policy, or to the
insured's agent, the policy or a true copy of it and every endorsement or other
amendment to the optional insurance contract.(4) If a written application signed by the insured or the insured's agent is made
for an optional insurance contract, the policy evidencing the optional insurance
contract is deemed to be in accordance with the application unless the insurer points
out in writing to the insured named in the policy in what respect the policy differs
from the application, and in that event the insured is deemed to have accepted the
policy unless within one week from the receipt of the notification the insured informs
the insurer in writing that the insured rejects the policy.(5) On every application form and policy, other than an interim receipt, a renewal
receipt or a binder, the following must be printed in a prominent place in conspicuous
lettering:"Under section 75 of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act, your claim is invalid if at any time you fail to provide
complete and accurate information, violate a term or condition of your policy or commit
fraud. This is a summary. For full information, see section 75 of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act."(6) In this section, a reference to a written application that is signed by the insured or the insured's agent includes an electronic application with an electronic
signature of the insured or the insured's agent.(7) The requirements of subsections (1) and (3) are met if(a)
an insurer(i) makes the policy accessible on a website, and(ii) delivers to the insured the items referred to in subsection (1)
(a) to (c), as applicable, together with the address of the website,
the insured gives written consent to accept delivery of the policy in that
manner,but if the insured later requests, the insurer must deliver or mail the policy
or a true copy of it to the insured.Use of statements in application for optional insurance
contract64 (1) A statement of the applicant must not be used in defence of a claim under the
optional insurance contract unless it is contained in the signed written application or,
if no signed written application is made, unless it is contained in the purported
application, or part of it, that is embodied in, endorsed on or attached to the
policy.(2) A statement contained in the purported application, or part of it, other than a
statement describing the risk and the extent of the insurance, must not be used in
defence of a claim under the optional insurance contract unless the insurer proves that
the applicant made the statement attributed to the applicant in the purported
application, or part of it.Limits on physical damage65 Subject to the regulations, an insurer may provide for exclusions and limits of
loss in an optional insurance contract, in respect of loss of or damage to or the loss of
use of the vehicle.Agreement for partial payment of claim by insured66 (1) Nothing in this Part or the regulations under this Part precludes an insurer
from entering into an agreement with its insured under an optional insurance contract
providing that the insured will reimburse the insurer in an agreed amount in respect of
any claim by or judgment in favour of a third party against the insured.(2) An agreement referred to in subsection (1) may be enforced against the
insured.Partial payment of loss clause67 (1) An optional insurance contract providing insurance against loss of or damage to
a vehicle or the loss of use of it may contain a clause to the effect that, in the event
of loss, the insurer must pay only(a)
an agreed portion of any loss that may be sustained, or(b)
the amount of the loss after deduction of a sum specified in the
policy,and in either case not exceeding the amount of the insurance.(2) If an optional insurance contract contains a clause referred to in subsection
(1), the clause is not binding on the insured unless the policy has printed
on it in a prominent place in conspicuous lettering the words "This policy contains a
partial payment of loss clause".(3) In subsection (2), "policy" does not include an interim
receipt, a renewal receipt or a binder.Relief from forfeiture68 If there has been(a)
imperfect compliance with a term or condition of an optional insurance contract
as to the proof of loss to be given by the insured or other requirement of the insured
with respect to the loss, and a consequent forfeiture under section 75, or(b)
a termination of the optional insurance contract by a notice that was not
received by the insured owing to the insured's absence from the address to which the
notice was addressed and a consequent denial of a claimand the court considers the forfeiture or denial inequitable on that ground, the
court may, on terms it considers just, relieve against the forfeiture or
denial.Persons forbidden to act as agent69 A person carrying on the business of financing the sale or purchase of vehicles
and a vehicle dealer, insurance agent or broker, and an officer or employee of such a
person, dealer, agent or broker, must not act as the agent of an applicant for the purpose
of signing an application for an optional insurance contract.Protection of insurance agent commission70 (1) In this section, "agent" means an insurance agent licensed
under Division 2 of Part 6 of the Financial Institutions Act and authorized by a licensed insurer on its behalf to
solicit and receive applications for insurance and to collect premiums, and whose
compensation or profit for that consists wholly of a commission on premiums derived from
that business.(2) The commission, if any, on any policy issued at the head office of an insurer in
British Columbia must be paid to an agent, and there must be written on the policy the
words "Issued on behalf of ________________, resident authorized agent at
________________", with the name of the agent and of the place where the agent carries
on business.(3) The person in charge of the head office of an insurer in British Columbia must
immediately, on the issue of a policy at the head office, notify the agent of the date
of the policy, the name of the insured and the vehicle insured, if any.Statistical information71 (1) The minister may enter into an agreement with a person or agency to(a)
compile information provided by insurers, and(b)
make an analysis of the information available to the superintendent, insurers
and the public.(2) If the minister enters into an agreement referred to in subsection
(1), the minister must provide insurers with a copy of the agreement as
soon as practicable.(3) The person or agency referred to in subsection (1) must not disclose
the information provided by an insurer under this section except to the superintendent
or as required by law.Power to make regulations72 Without limiting any power of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make
regulations under any other Part of this Act or under section 73, the Lieutenant
Governor in Council may make regulations under this Part as follows:(a)
prescribing terms and conditions that are required to be contained in optional
insurance contracts or in a prescribed class of optional insurance contracts;(b)
providing that any or all of the prescribed conditions(i) form part of every optional insurance contract or of a prescribed class of
optional insurance contracts,(ii) do not form part of a prescribed class of optional insurance contracts or of a
specific contract,(iii) apply only in respect of a specified type of coverage, or(iv) do not apply in respect of a specified type of coverage;(b.1)
requiring that the prescribed conditions, with the variations, omissions or
additions that are applicable because of a regulation under paragraph (b), be
printed on every policy, other than an interim receipt, a renewal receipt or a binder,
issued on or after the effective date of the prescribed conditions, with the heading
"Prescribed Conditions";(b.2)
requiring that other specified information be printed on a policy, other than an
interim receipt, a renewal receipt or a binder, issued on or after the effective date of
the regulation;(b.3)
designating those persons who are or may be insured under optional insurance
contracts or a prescribed class of optional insurance contracts, the insurance money
payable to insured persons and the perils or risks for which insurance may be
provided;(c)
permitting the superintendent to approve forms of application, policy or
endorsement in respect of vehicle insurance or a class of forms, and to revoke approval
of a form or a class of forms;(d)
requiring forms of application, policy or endorsement in respect of vehicle
insurance or a class of forms, to be approved by the superintendent;(e)
authorizing the superintendent to approve a form of policy or part of it or
endorsement evidencing an optional insurance contract that varies, omits or adds to any
prescribed condition in prescribed circumstances;(f)
permitting insurers to file with the superintendent and use a form or class of
forms that has not been approved by the superintendent until the superintendent has
given written notice that the form or class of forms is not approved;(g)
prohibiting the use of a form or class of forms that has not been approved by
the superintendent;(h)
requiring the superintendent to give written reasons in prescribed circumstances
for approving or not approving a form or class of forms or for revoking an
approval;(i)
permitting an insurer to require information from an insured that is additional
to that in a form approved by the superintendent and exempting that information from the
application of sections 64 and 75;(j)
respecting nuclear energy hazard liability insurance;(k)
prohibiting insurance or coverage against a class of risk or peril;(l)
prescribing circumstances in which an insurer is not liable, or in which an
insurer may provide that it is not liable, under an optional insurance
contract;(m)
respecting an evaluation process for settling disputes between an insurer and an
insured about the nature and extent of repairs required for a vehicle, replacement of a
vehicle or the amount payable in respect of direct loss of or damage to the vehicle and
how the costs of the evaluation are paid;(n)
exempting prescribed disputes or disputes in prescribed circumstances from the
evaluation process;(n.1)
providing that prescribed disputes may be submitted to arbitration, and
governing the rights and obligations of the arbitrator and a party to the
arbitration;(o)
prescribing the costs, expenses, interest and reimbursement that must be paid by
an insurer under section 60;(p)
providing for exclusions of coverage for specified persons or risks;(q)
providing for different limits of loss or liability for different people insured
under an optional insurance contract;(r)
excluding the operation, use or loss of a vehicle from the definition of
"vehicle insurance";(s)
respecting the rights and obligations of an insurer.Variation of prescribed conditions72.1 Subject to sections 66 and 67 and the regulations, no
variation or omission of or addition to a prescribed condition is binding on the
insured.Power to make regulations establishing an insurer of last
resort73 Without limiting any power of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make
regulations under any other Part of this Act or under section 72, the Lieutenant
Governor in Council may make regulations as follows:(a)
requiring an insurance company to be incorporated under the Financial Institutions Act within a specified period of time by insurers that are authorized to carry on vehicle insurance business in British
Columbia;(b)
specifying the purpose of the insurance company;(c)
requiring the insurance company to apply for a business authorization under the
Financial Institutions Act;(d)	requiring every insurer that is authorized to carry on vehicle insurance
business in British Columbia to be a member of the insurance company;(e)
requiring the insurance company to enter into optional insurance contracts with
owners of vehicles, or, in the case of leased motor vehicles, lessees of leased motor
vehicles, who are unable to enter into optional insurance contracts with any other
insurer;(f)
requiring the insurance company to establish the circumstances under which it
determines that an owner or lessee is unable to enter into an optional insurance
contract with any other insurer and requiring the superintendent to approve those
circumstances;(g)
respecting coverage, limits of loss or liability and other terms and conditions
that must be included in an optional insurance contract provided by the insurance
company;(h)
exempting the insurance company from a provision of the Financial Institutions Act and the regulations under that Act;(i)
specifying the duration of an exemption under paragraph (h);(j)
applying provisions of the Utilities Commission Act to the insurance company.
Part 5 — General ProvisionsApplication of this Part74 Without limiting Parts 1 and 4, this Part applies to(a)
insurance under the plan and optional insurance contracts that(i) is obtained or renewed in British Columbia, and(ii) takes effect on or after the date this section comes into force,(b)
insureds and insurers in relation to that insurance.Forfeiture75 All claims by or in respect of the applicant or insured are invalid and the right
of an applicant, an insured, or a person claiming through or on behalf of an applicant or
insured or of a person claiming as a dependant of the applicant or the insured, to
insurance money under the plan or an optional insurance contract, is forfeited
the applicant for coverage under the plan or the optional insurance
contract(i) to the prejudice of the insurer, falsely describes the vehicle in respect of
which the application is made, or(ii) knowingly misrepresents or fails to disclose in the application a fact
required to be stated in it,(b)
the insured violates a term or condition of or commits a fraud in relation to
the plan or the optional insurance contract, or(c)
the insured makes a wilfully false statement with respect to the
claim.Third party rights76 (1) In this section and sections 77 and 78,
"claimant" means a person who has a claim or a judgment against an
insured for which indemnity is provided by the plan or an optional insurance
contract.(2) Even though he or she does not have a contractual relationship with the insurer,
a claimant is entitled, on recovering a judgment against an insured or making a
settlement with the insurer, to have the insurance money applied toward the claimant's
judgment or settlement and toward any other judgments or claims against the insured who
is covered by the indemnity.(3) The claimant may, on behalf of himself or herself and all persons having
judgments or claims against the insured who is covered by the indemnity, bring an action
against the insurer to have the insurance money applied in accordance with subsection
(2).(4) The insurer may at any stage compromise or settle the claim.(5) A creditor of the insured is not entitled to share in the insurance money unless
the creditor's claim is one for which indemnity is provided for by the plan or the
optional insurance contract.(6) The following do not prejudice the right of a person entitled under subsection
(2) to have the insurance money applied toward the person's judgment or
settlement, and are not available to the insurer as a defence to an action under
(3):(a)
assignment, transfer, surrender, cancellation, suspension, waiver or discharge
of coverage under the plan or an optional insurance contract or under a provision of
the plan or an optional insurance contract, or of an interest in either of them or of
insurance money payable under either of them, made by the insured after the event
giving rise to a claim under the plan or optional insurance contract
occurs;(b)
an act or default of the insured before or after the event giving rise to a
claim under the plan or an optional insurance contract in contravention of this Act or
the regulations or of the plan or optional insurance contract;(c)
contravention of the Criminal Code or of a law or statute of any province, state or country
by the owner, lessee or driver of the vehicle specified in the owner's certificate or
policy.(7) An action must not be brought against an insurer under subsection
(3) after the expiration of one year from the final determination of the
action against the insured, including appeals, if any.(8) It is not a defence to an action under subsection (3) that an instrument issued
as a vehicle liability policy by an insurer and alleged by a party to the action to be
such a policy is not a vehicle liability policy and this section and sections 77 and
78 apply.Rights of insurer77 (1) Despite section 76 (6), an insurer may avail itself, against a person claiming
under section 76 (3) in respect of property damage under an optional insurance contract,
of any defence that the insurer is entitled to set up against the insured.(2) Without limiting section 93.1 and in addition to any other remedy, if
an insurer has paid an amount to a person under section 76 by way of settlement
or otherwise, that it would not otherwise be liable to pay, and has personally delivered
or forwarded by registered mail to the last known address of the insured a demand for
reimbursement of that amount, the insured is liable to reimburse the insurer that
amount, and the insurer may enforce the right by action in court.(3) Whether or not the insured has filed a defence in the action, if an insurer
denies liability to an insured under the plan or an optional insurance contract, the
insurer may issue and serve a third party notice and be made a third party in any action
to which the insured is a party and in which a claim is made against the insured by a
party with respect to which it is or might be asserted that indemnity is provided by the
plan or an optional insurance contract.(4) On being made a party under subsection (3), the insurer has the right to contest
the insured's liability to any party claiming against the insured, and to contest the
amount of any claim made against the insured, as if the insurer were a defendant in the
action, including the right to(a)
deliver a response to civil claim to the claim of any party claiming against
the insured,(b)
deliver other pleadings,(c)
have production and discovery from any party adverse in interest,
examine and cross examine witnesses at trial.(5) If an insured agrees that the insurer would not, except for section 76,
be or become liable to make a payment in respect of a claim against the insured, the
insured may at any time undertake to reimburse the insurer by(a)
giving a written undertaking to repay the amount paid by the insurer to or on
behalf of the claimant, and(b)
executing a consent to the payment by the insurer of that amount.(6) The insurer may, on payment of an amount under section 76 that it would not
otherwise be liable to pay, require an assignment of the judgment from the claimant in a
form registrable under the Land Title Act, to the extent of that payment.(7) An insurer to whom an assignment is provided under subsection (6) may register that
assignment under the Land Title Act unless, within 30 days after the date of a demand provided to the insured under subsection (2), the insured
delivers to the chief agency or head office of the insurer in British Columbia a written
notice by which the insured disputes his or her liability to reimburse the
insurer.(8) If the insurer has paid money in satisfaction of a claim, settlement or judgment
under section 76 or by agreement under subsection (5) of this section, and the insured
has not reimbursed the amount for which the insured is liable under subsection (2) or
that the insured has agreed to reimburse the insurer under subsection (5)(a)
the insurer may agree to accept payment in instalments from the insured,
the insured may, on notice to the insurer, apply to the Supreme Court for an
order that he or she be permitted to pay the insurer in instalments in amounts and at
times determined by the court.(9) The insurer may apply to court to require any other insurers liable to indemnify
the insured in whole or in part in respect of judgments or claims to which reference is
made in section 76 (2) to(a)
be made parties to the action, and(b)
contribute according to their respective liabilities, whether the contribution
is rateably or by way of primary or excess insurance, as the case may be.Payment of insurance money into court78 (1) The insurer may apply to the court without notice to any person for an order
allowing it to pay the insurance money into court, and the court may so order, on the
notice, if any, it considers necessary if(a)
a person obtains a judgment against an insured and is entitled to bring an
action under section 76 (3), and(b)
there are or may be other claimants, or there is no willing person capable of
giving and authorized to give a valid discharge for payment.(2) If an insurer pays money into court in accordance with an order made under
subsection (1), the registrar or other proper officer of the court may give a receipt
to the insurer for that payment.(3) An insurer to whom a receipt is given under subsection (2) is discharged
from(a)
any liability for the money paid, and(b)
any claims in respect of the money paid that might be made by or on behalf of
the persons entitled to the money.Defence if more than one contract79 (1) The insured or an insurer may apply to the court and the court must give
directions it considers proper with respect to the performance of the obligation to
defend in the name and on behalf of the insured if(a)
a person is insured under more than one optional insurance contract evidenced
by vehicle liability policies or under the plan and one or more optional insurance
contracts evidenced by vehicle liability policies, and(b)
a question arises between an insurer and the insured or between the insurers
as to which insurer must undertake the obligation to defend.(2) Subsection (1) applies whether(a)
the insurance provided by the optional insurance contract is primary or
excess, or(b)
an insurer accepts or denies liability under the plan or its optional
insurance contract.(3) On an application under subsection (1), the only parties entitled to notice
and to be heard are the insured and his or her insurers, and no material or evidence
used or taken on the application is admissible on the trial of an action brought against
the insured for bodily injury to or the death of a person or loss of or damage to
property caused by the vehicle or the use or operation of the vehicle in respect of
which the insurance is provided.(4) An order under subsection (1) does not affect the rights and
obligations of the insurers in respect of payment of any indemnity under their
respective policies.(5) If insurance is provided to the insured under more than one optional insurance
contract or under the plan and one or more optional insurance contracts and one or more
of them are excess insurance, the insurers must, as between themselves, contribute to
the payment of costs, expenses, interest and reimbursement in accordance with their
respective liabilities for(a)
damages awarded against the insured, or(b)
the amount payable under a settlement made on behalf of the
insured.Other insurance80 (1) If there is an optional insurance contract and any other vehicle insurance,
including insurance under the plan or another optional insurance contract, none of which
is excess to the others, that insures against the same loss or liability, an insurer is
liable only for its rateable proportion of any loss, liability or damage.(2) An insured must notify the insurers of any other insurance that insures against
the same loss.(3) In this section, "rateable proportion" means(a)
if there are 2 insurers liable and the certificate or policy specifies the
same limit, each of the insurers is liable to share equally in any liability, expense,
loss or damage,(b)
if there are 2 insurers liable and the certificate or policy specifies
different limits, the insurers are liable to share equally up to the limit of the
smaller limit, or(c)
if there are more than 2 insurers liable, paragraphs (a) and (b) apply
with the necessary changes and so far as applicable.Unnamed insured81 (1) A person insured under the plan or an optional insurance contract, but not named
in the owner's certificate or policy may recover insurance money in the same manner and
to the same extent as if the person were the named insured in the owner's certificate or
policy.(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the person referred to in that
subsection, in his or her own name and on his or her own behalf, may exercise the same
rights and is subject to the same obligations as the insured as if the person were the
named insured in the owner's certificate or policy.Insured to give notice and disclose damage82 (1) Every insured against whom an action is commenced for damages caused by a
vehicle or the use or operation of a vehicle must give notice of it in writing to the
insurer within 5 days after service of every notice or process in the action.(2) Every insured against whom an action is commenced for damages caused by a
vehicle or the use or operation of a vehicle must, on recovery of a judgment against the
insured, disclose to a judgment creditor entitled to the benefit of any vehicle
liability policy particulars of the owner's certificate or policy within 10 days after
written demand for it.Liability limited for classes of owners82.1 (1) In an action to recover for loss or damage to persons or property arising out of
the use or operation of a leased motor vehicle on a highway in British Columbia, the
maximum amount for which the lessor of the motor vehicle is liable, in that lessor's
capacity as lessor of the motor vehicle, in respect of any one incident is the amount
determined under subsection (2).(2) The maximum amount for the purposes of subsection (1) is the greatest
of the following amounts:(a)
$1 000 000;(b)
the amount established, or determined in the manner prescribed, by
regulation;(c)
the amount of third party liability insurance coverage required by law to be
carried in respect of the motor vehicle.(3) Subsection (1) does not apply(a)
in respect of amounts payable by a lessor other than by reason of vicarious
liability imposed under section 86 of the Motor Vehicle Act, or(b)
to prescribed lessors or motor vehicles, or prescribed classes of lessors or
motor vehicles.(4) This section applies only in relation to loss or damage sustained on or after
the date this section comes into force.Liability reduced83 (1) In this section and in section 84, "benefits" means
within the definition of section 1.1, or(b)
that are similar to those within the definition of section
1.1, provided under vehicle insurance wherever issued and in
effect,but does not include a payment made pursuant to third party liability insurance
coverage.(2) A person who has a claim for damages and who receives or is entitled to receive
benefits respecting the loss on which the claim is based, is deemed to have released the
claim to the extent of the benefits.(3) Nothing in this section precludes the insurer from demanding from the person
referred to in subsection (2), as a condition precedent to payment, a release to the
extent of the payment.(4) In an action in respect of bodily injury or death caused by a vehicle or the use
or operation of a vehicle, the amount of benefits paid, or to which the person referred
to in subsection (2) is or would have been entitled, must not be referred to or
disclosed to the court or jury until the court has assessed the award of
damages.(5) After assessing the award of damages under subsection (4), the amount of
benefits referred to in that subsection must be disclosed to the court, and taken into
account, or, if the amount of benefits has not been ascertained, the court must estimate
it and take the estimate into account, and the person referred to in subsection
(2) is entitled to enter judgment for the balance only.(6) If, for the purpose of this section or section 84, it is necessary to
estimate the value of future payments that the corporation or the insurer is authorized
or required to make under the plan or an optional insurance contract, the value must be
estimated according to the value on the date of the estimate of a deferred benefit,
calculated for the period for which the future payments are authorized or required to be
made.Subrogation84 (1) On making a payment of benefits or insurance money or assuming liability for
payment of benefits or insurance money, an insurer(a)
is subrogated to and is deemed to be the assignee of all rights of recovery
against any other person liable in respect of the loss, damage, bodily injury or death
of a person to whom, on whose behalf or in respect of whom the payment of benefits or
insurance money is made or to be made, and(b)
may bring action in the name of the insured or in its own name to enforce the
rights referred to in paragraph (a).(2) If money is recovered under subsection (1) and the burden of the loss is shared by
the insurer and insured, the net amount, after deduction of the costs of recovery, must
be divided between them in the same proportions as they bear the loss.(3) If the interest of the insured referred to in subsection (1) is limited to
loss of or damage to a vehicle or loss of its use, the insurer has conduct of the
action.(4) If the insured's interest is not one described in subsection (3), and the insured
and the insurer cannot agree as to(a)
the lawyers to be instructed to bring the action in the name of the
insured,(b)
the conduct of the action or matters pertaining to it,(c)
an offer of settlement or its apportionment, whether an action has been
commenced or not,(d)
acceptance of money paid into court or its apportionment,(e)
apportionment of costs, or(f)
commencement or continuance of an appeal,either party may apply to the court for determination of the matters in
question, and the court must make the order it considers reasonable having regard to the
interests of both parties.(5) On an application under subsection (4), only the insured and the insurer are
entitled to notice and to be heard, and material or evidence used or taken on the
application is not admissible on the trial of an action brought by or against the
insured or the insurer.(6) A settlement or release does not restrict the rights of the insured or the
insurer under this section unless the insured or the insurer, as the case may be,
concurred in it.Waiver of term or condition85 (1) An insurer may for a particular case waive a term or condition of the plan or an
optional insurance contract.(2) A term or condition of the plan or an optional insurance contract is not waived
by the insurer in whole or in part unless the waiver is in writing and signed by a
person authorized for that purpose by the insurer.(3) Neither the insurer nor the insured waives any term or condition of the plan or
an optional insurance contract by any act relating to the appraisal of the amount of
loss or to the delivery and completion of proofs or to the investigation or adjustment
of any claim under the plan or an optional insurance contract.Effect of payment under the plan or an optional insurance
contract86 (1) If an insurer makes a payment on behalf of an insured under the plan or an
optional insurance contract to a person who is or alleges himself or herself to be
entitled to recover from the insured under the plan or optional insurance contract, the
is not, unless the insurer otherwise agrees, an admission of liability, and
does not prejudice the rights of the insured or the insurer, and(b)
constitutes, to the extent of the payment, a release by the person or his or
her personal representative of any claim that the person or the personal
representative or any person claiming through or under him or her, or by virtue of the
Family Compensation Act, may have against the insured and the insurer.(2) Nothing in this section precludes an insurer making the payment from demanding,
as a condition precedent to the payment, a release from the person, or his or her
personal representative, or any other person, to the extent of that payment.(3) If a person commences an action, the fact of any payment referred to in
subsection (1) must not be disclosed to the court or to the jury, and the court must
adjudicate on the matter without reference to any payment referred to in that subsection
but, after awarding damages and costs, if any, the payment must be disclosed and must be
taken into account and the person is only entitled to judgment to be entered for the net
amount, if any.Territorial limits87 Subject to the regulations under Part 1 in respect of the plan,
insurance under the plan or an optional insurance contract applies in respect of bodily
injury, death, loss or damage, or liability arising from bodily injury, death, loss or
damage occurring in Canada or the United States of America or on a vessel travelling
between Canada and the United States of America, but does not apply elsewhere.Out of province use88 Every vehicle liability policy issued in British Columbia must provide and is
deemed to provide that, in the case of liability arising out of the ownership, use or
operation of the vehicle in any other province or territory of Canada or in any
jurisdiction of the United States of America,(a)
the insurer is liable up to the minimum limits of loss or liability in that
province, territory or jurisdiction if those limits are higher than the limits specified
in the policy,(b)
the insurer must not set up any defence to a claim that might not be set up if
the policy were a policy evidencing a contract of vehicle insurance that provides third
party liability insurance coverage issued in that province, territory or jurisdiction,
the insured appoints the insurer the insured's irrevocable attorney to appear
and defend in any other province or territory of Canada or jurisdiction of the United
States of America in which an action is brought against the insured arising out of the
ownership, use or operation of the vehicle.Proof of intoxication89 (1) In an action, cause or proceeding in which this Act or the regulations and the
plan or an optional insurance contract are invoked and it is material to establish that
a person using or operating a vehicle was doing so while under the influence of
intoxicating liquor or drugs to such an extent as to be for the time being incapable of
the proper control of the vehicle, proof that the person was convicted of an offence
committed at the material time under section 253 or 254 (5) of the Criminal Code must be admitted, whether or not that person(a)
is a party to the action, cause or proceeding,(b)
is a witness at the trial, or(c)
has first been questioned as to whether he or she has been convicted of that
offence.(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), a certificate containing the substance
and effect of the conviction and purporting to be signed by the officer having custody
of the records of the court in which the person was convicted or by the officer's deputy
is, on proof of the identity of the person convicted, sufficient evidence of the
conviction without proof of the signature or official character of the person by whom
the certificate purports to have been signed.Limitation on recovery for acts of violence90 If the dominant cause of any bodily injury to or death of a person is the use of
any weapon or any object, other than a vehicle, used as a weapon,(a)
the insurer is not liable under this Act, including, without limitation, under
section 20, 24, 76, 77 or 78 or under an optional insurance contract or the plan, to indemnify or to pay any
insurance money to or on behalf of(i) the person using the weapon or object,(ii) the person suffering the bodily injury or death, or(iii) a spouse, child, parent or personal representative of a person referred to in
subparagraph (i) or (ii), and(b)
the person using the weapon or object is not a designated defendant, as that
term is defined in section 95, for the purposes of Part 6.Limitation on recovery in relation to stolen vehicles91 (1) This section applies to a person who(a)
suffered bodily injury, death or loss of or damage to property that is caused
by the use or operation of a vehicle, and(b)
at the time of the accident as a result of which the bodily injury, death or
loss of or damage to property was suffered, was an operator of, or a passenger in or
on, a vehicle that the person knew or ought to have known was being operated without
the consent of the owner, and, in the case of a leased motor vehicle, the
lessee.(2) Despite the Negligence Act and section 100 of this Act,(a)
if 2 or more persons are found at fault for the bodily injury, death or loss
of or damage to property referred to in subsection (1), they are
liable to the person referred to in that subsection for any damages awarded for that
bodily injury, death or loss of or damage to property in the degree to which they are
respectively found to have been at fault and are not liable to make contribution to
and indemnify each other respecting that liability or any payment made in relation to
it, and(b)
a person referred to in subsection (1) is not entitled to any recovery from
the corporation under section 20.Payment to minor92 (1) A payment of insurance money for or on behalf of(a)
a minor, or(b)
an adult who is incapable of making decisions about the adult's financial
affairs, business or property and does not have(i) a committee under the Patients Property Act,(ii) an attorney under Part 2 of the Power of Attorney Act, or(iii) a representative having power over the adult's financial affairs under
(1) (b) of the Representation Agreement Act,must be made to the Public Guardian and Trustee, to be administered as the
Public Guardian and Trustee considers advisable, and the Public Guardian and Trustee may
make arrangements with other persons, societies or agencies for this purpose.(2) [Repealed 2007-34-84.](3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a payment of insurance money made for or
on behalf of a minor as indemnity for the loss of, damage to or the loss of use of
property.Family exclusion clauses93 A provision in the plan or an optional insurance contract that the insurer is not
liable to indemnify a person insured under the plan or optional insurance contract for any
liability resulting from bodily injury to or the death of the child or spouse of that
person has no effect after April 16, 1985, whether the insurance under the plan or the
optional insurance contract took effect before or after that date.Corporation's collection remedies93.1 (1) In this section:
"convicted" includes
being found guilty, whether under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) or, before April 1, 2003, under the Young Offenders Act (Canada), as it then was, of contravening section 220, 221, 249, 252, 253, 254 (5), 255 (2) or (3), 322, 334,
335, 344, 354, 355, 430, 434 or 435 of the Criminal Code, and
convicted or subject to a similar result in a jurisdiction of the United
States of America under a law similar to the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) for contravening a provision of the law of that jurisdiction that is similar
to(i) section
220, 221, 249, 252, 253, 254 (5), 255 (2) or (3), 322, 334, 335, 344, 354, 355, 430, 434 or 435
of the Criminal Code, or(ii) section 224 or 226 of the Motor Vehicle Act;
"fine indebtedness" means the indebtedness referred to in
(f) of the definition of "vehicle indebtedness";
"vehicle indebtedness" means
money owing to the corporation in respect of premiums and related fees,
charges or interest,
an amount paid by the corporation under section 76 on behalf of an
insured if(i) the amount was, under section 76, paid to a person having a claim referred
to in section 76 (2), and(ii) the insured(A) is, in relation to the accident that resulted in the injury, death or loss
of or damage to property for which the payment was made, convicted of an offence
220, 221, 249, 252,
(a) or 255 (2) or (3) of the Criminal Code, or of an offence under a provision of the law of the
United States of America that is similar to one of those sections, and the offence
was committed while the insured was operating or having care or control of a
vehicle or by means of a vehicle,(B) is convicted of an offence under section 253 (b) of the Criminal Code, section 224 of the Motor Vehicle Act or a provision of another jurisdiction in Canada or the United States of America that is similar to either
of those sections, and the accident occurred during the person's commission of the
offence and while the person was operating a vehicle,(C) is convicted of an offence under section 254 (5) of the Criminal Code, section 226 of the Motor Vehicle Act or a provision of the law of another jurisdiction in Canada or the United States of America that is similar to
either of those sections, and the accident occurred within the 2 hours preceding
the person's commission of the offence and while the person was operating a
vehicle, or(D) was, at the time that the accident occurred, operating a vehicle when not
authorized and qualified by law to operate the vehicle,
money in respect of which rights of recovery are assigned to the corporation
under section 84 if the person against whom the corporation is entitled to exercise
those rights of recovery is, in relation to the injury, death or loss of or damage to
property in respect of which the money was paid, convicted of an offence under
322, 334, 335, 344, 354, 355, 430, 434 or 435 of the Criminal Code or of an offence under a provision of the law of the United States of America that is similar to one of
those sections,
money owing to the corporation under(i) any judgment obtained by the corporation, including any order for costs in
favour of the corporation or an insured, or(ii) any compensation or restitution order made in favour of the corporation
under section 42.1 (6) of this Act, under the Criminal Code or under any other enactment,
a monetary penalty imposed under section 215.44 of the Motor Vehicle Act that has not been paid, (e)
a fee that is prescribed under the Motor Vehicle Act, and that has not been paid, for(i) the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer,(ii) a licence or permit for a motor vehicle or trailer, or(iii) a driver's licence, and
indebtedness to the government because of a failure to pay a fine, or a
victim's surcharge levy within the meaning of the Victims of Crime Act, imposed as a result of a conviction under(i) a motor vehicle related Criminal Code offence, within the meaning of the Motor Vehicle Act,(ii) the Motor Vehicle Act,(iii) the Commercial Transport Act,(iv) the Motor Fuel Tax Act,(v) the Highway Act or the Transportation Act,(vi) the Passenger Transportation Act, or (vii) [Repealed 2014-5-46.](viii) [Repealed 2007-14-140.](ix) the Off-Road Vehicle Act. (2) Subject to subsection (4) but despite any other provision of this
Act or the regulations, if a person is indebted to the government or the corporation for
a vehicle indebtedness, the corporation may do one or more of the following for so long
as any part of the vehicle indebtedness remains outstanding:(a)
recover the vehicle indebtedness by action against the debtor in a court of
competent jurisdiction;(b)
refuse any application made by the debtor for insurance;(c)
cancel any owner's certificate issued in the debtor's name or any universal
compulsory vehicle insurance issued in the debtor's name;(d)
issue an owner's certificate or provide universal compulsory vehicle insurance
to the debtor with a term of more than 90 days but less than one year;(e)
cancel any driver's certificate issued in the debtor's name;(f)
issue a driver's certificate to the debtor with a term of more than 90 days
but less than 5 years.(3) Subject to subsection (4) but despite any other provision of this Act or the
regulations, if a person is required to reimburse the corporation under section 90 (12) of
the Motor Vehicle Act, the corporation may exercise one or more of the rights referred to in subsection (2) (a), (b), (d) or (f) of this section
for so long as any part of that indebtedness remains outstanding.(4) Despite subsections (2) and (3), the corporation must not exercise a right
referred to in subsection (2) (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) unless(a)
the indebtedness is a fine indebtedness,(b)
the corporation has a judgment in its favour in relation to the indebtedness
in respect of which it intends to exercise one or more of those rights, or(c)
the corporation mails to the debtor, at the debtor's last address according to
the corporation's records, a written demand for payment of that indebtedness together
with a notice of any action the corporation intends to take under this section, and
the debtor does not, within 30 days after the date of mailing, pay the indebtedness or
make arrangements satisfactory to the corporation for payment of the
indebtedness.(5) If money is owed by a debtor to the corporation or the government for a vehicle
indebtedness, to the corporation for a reimbursement required under section 90 (12) of
the Motor Vehicle Act or to the corporation for any other reason, the corporation may deduct the amount of the indebtedness from any insurance
money, other than benefits as defined in section 83 (1) of this Act,
payable by the corporation to the debtor, whether or not the corporation has provided a
demand to the debtor under subsection (4) (c) of this section.(6) Nothing in this section limits or qualifies any other collection remedy or right
available to the corporation or the government under this or any other enactment in
relation to any indebtedness, including a vehicle indebtedness, owing by any person to
the corporation or to the government.Power to make regulations under this Part94 (1) Without limiting any power of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make
make regulations referred to in section 41 of the Interpretation Act.(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may
make regulations as follows:(a)
exempting any person or class of persons from a provision of this Act or the
regulations under this Act;(b)
respecting the priority of claims under the plan or optional insurance
contracts;(c)
defining for the purposes of this Act or the regulations under this Act words
or expressions not defined in this Act;(d)
providing that a contravention of a regulation under this Act is an
offence;(e)
establishing an amount, or prescribing the manner of determining an amount,
for the purposes of section 82.1 (2) (b);(f)
prescribing lessors or motor vehicles, or classes of either, for the purposes
of section 82.1 (3) (b).(3) In making a regulation under this Act, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may
make different regulations for different persons, places, things or transactions, or
classes of persons, places, things or transactions.(4) In making regulations under subsection (2) (f), the Lieutenant Governor in Council
may make different regulations in relation to lessors and motor vehicles, or classes of
either, in different circumstances.
Part 6 — Vehicle ActionsDefinitions95 In this Part:
"accident" means an unintentional mishap occurring in British
Columbia as a result of which a person suffers bodily injury, death or loss of or damage
to property that arises out of the use or operation of a vehicle;
"designated defendants", subject to section 90
(b), means, in relation to an accident, the following persons:
each owner of a vehicle involved in the accident;
each operator of or passenger in or on a vehicle involved in the accident and
each person vicariously liable for that individual;
any other individual who, as a result of that individual's acts or omissions
at the scene of the accident, has some involvement in the accident and each person
vicariously liable for that individual,
and, in relation to a claim made under section 20 or an action brought
under section 24, includes the corporation;
"net income loss", in relation to a person who suffered loss
of income as a result of an accident is, for any period,
if the person is a person referred to in section 2 (1) of the Income Tax Act, the gross income that the person lost in that period less the amount that would have been payable on that gross income for
the following:(i) income tax under the Income Tax Act, as that Act read on December 31 of the calendar year
before the calendar year in respect of which the net income loss is to be
determined, calculated in accordance with the regulations and with reference to
prescribed deductions and tax credits;(ii) income tax under the Income Tax Act (Canada) as that Act read on December 31 of the calendar year before the calendar year in respect of which the net income loss is to be
determined, calculated in accordance with the regulations under, and with reference
to deductions and tax credits prescribed under, this Act;(iii) premiums under the Employment Insurance Act (Canada), as that Act read on December 31 of the calendar year before the calendar year in
respect of which the net income loss is to be determined, or
for any other person, the gross income that the person lost in that period
less the following amounts calculated in accordance with the regulations under this
Act:(i) the amount that would have been payable as taxes on that gross income
according to the tax laws in the jurisdiction in which the person is liable to pay
tax on income, as those laws read on December 31 of the calendar year before the
calendar year in respect of which the net income loss is to be determined,
calculated with reference to deductions and tax credits prescribed under this
Act;(ii) the premiums or other amounts, if any, that would have been payable in
respect of that gross income according to the laws in the jurisdiction in which the
person is liable to pay tax on income, as those laws read on December 31 of the
calendar year before the calendar year in respect of which the net income loss is to
be determined, for a purpose similar or equivalent to that of the Employment Insurance Act (Canada);
"vehicle action" means an action brought in British Columbia
in which damages are claimed for bodily injury, death or loss of or damage to property
that arises out of the use or operation of a vehicle.
Alternative dispute resolution96 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting mediation in
vehicle actions including, without limitation, regulations(a)
providing to a party to a vehicle action the ability to require the parties to
engage in mediation and setting out when and how that ability may be exercised and
prescribing any other results that flow from the exercise of that ability,
respecting(i) the forms or procedures that must or may be used or followed before, during
and after the mediation process, (ii) the requiring and maintaining confidentiality of information disclosed for
the purposes of mediation,(iii) the circumstances and manner in which a party to a vehicle action may opt
out of or be exempted from mediation,(iv) the costs and other sanctions that may be imposed in relation to mediation,
including, without limitation, in relation to any failure to participate in
mediation when and as required or otherwise to comply with the
regulations,(v) the mediators' fees and disbursements, and(vi) qualifications required for, and the selection and identification of,
individuals who may act as mediators in the mediation process contemplated by these
regulations.(2) If and to the extent that there is any conflict between the regulations made
under subsection (1) and any other enactment, including, without limitation, the
rules of any court, the regulations made under subsection (1) apply.(3) Regulations made under subsection (1) may provide for a mediation process to
be applicable to vehicle actions brought out of one or more court registries and may be
different for vehicle actions brought out of different court registries.(4) Without limiting subsections (1) to (3) or any other enactment and
without limiting the right of the corporation or an insurer to use any method it
considers appropriate to resolve any dispute, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may
make regulations respecting dispute resolution procedures, including, without
limitation, arbitration and mediation procedures, that the corporation or an insurer may
make available to any person who wishes to use them to resolve disputes in relation to
any insurance money claimed or payable under this Act, or any other disputes in relation
to the administration of this Act and the regulations.Application of sections 98 and 10097 Sections 98 and apply only to causes of action arising out of an
accident that occurs after June 17, 1997.Recovery for loss of income98 Despite any other enactment or rule of law but subject to this Part, a person who
suffers a loss of income as a result of an accident or, if deceased, his or her personal
representative, is entitled to recover from designated defendants, as damages for the
income loss suffered after the accident and before the first day of trial of any action
brought in relation to it, not more than the net income loss that the person suffered in
that period as a result of the accident.Structured judgments99 (1) The court must order that an award for pecuniary damages in a vehicle action be
paid periodically, on the terms the court considers just,(a)
if the award for pecuniary damages is, after section 83 has been applied,
at least $100 000 and the court considers it to be in the best interests of the
plaintiff, or(b)
if(i) the plaintiff requests that an amount be included in the award to compensate
for income tax payable on income from investment of the award, and(ii) the court considers that the order, that the award be paid periodically, is
not contrary to the best interests of the plaintiff.(2) Despite subsection (1), the court must not make an order under this
if one or more of the parties in respect of whom the order would be made
satisfies the court that those parties do not have sufficient means to fund the order,
if the court is satisfied that an order to pay the award periodically would
have the effect of preventing the plaintiff or another person from obtaining full
recovery for damages arising out of the accident.(3) If the court does not make an order for periodic payments under this section, it
may make an award for damages that includes an amount to offset liability for income tax
on income from investment of the award.Apportionment100 (1) This section applies in respect of a vehicle action in which the court
determines that loss of income has been caused by the fault of 2 or more persons at
least one of whom is a designated defendant.(2) Despite the Negligence Act, if, in a vehicle action, the plaintiff is found to be entitled to recover damages for loss of income
suffered after the accident and before the first day of trial of any action brought in
relation to it,(a)
all of the defendants whom the court determines were at fault for that loss of
income are liable, in accordance with the Negligence Act, to the plaintiff for the net income loss that the
plaintiff suffered in that period as a result of the accident, and(b)
the court must determine the degree to which defendants who are not designated
defendants were at fault for that loss of income, and those defendants(i) are liable, in accordance with the Negligence Act, for that portion of the difference between(A) the net income loss that the plaintiff suffered in that period as a result
of the accident, and(B) the gross income that the plaintiff would have earned in that period had
the accident not occurred that is proportionate to the degree to which those defendants are determined
to be at fault for the loss of income, and(ii) are not entitled to seek contribution or indemnification from designated
defendants respecting that liability or any payment made in relation to