Automobile Liability

We recommend a minimum of $2,000,000 liability on all vehicles and suggest the purchase an Excess Underinsured Motorist Policy. Your ICBC policy provides a maximum $1,000,000 Underinsured Motorist Protection even if you have purchased higher limits of liability. For only $25.00 per year, an additional $1,000,000 of protection is provided on an Annual Policy. JUST ASK ME for more details on this valuable protection for you, your family, and your passengers.

Personal & Business Property in your Vehicle

Did you know that personal property, business equipment and stock you carry in your vehicle is not covered by ICBC? Coverage should be arranged through your home or business insurance policy. - JUST ASK ME!

Is Your Vehicle Less Than 3 Years Old?

If your new vehicle is stolen or written off due to an accident the settlement you will receive will be based on the depreciated value of the vehicle. This could be even less than you owe the bank for the vehicle's financing! Did you know that a Limited Depreciation Policy or a Replacement Cost Policy (if you are a Road Star), is available if your vehicle is less than 3 years old?

Limited Depreciation policy
If your vehicle is written off, this policy ensures that you will receive the lessor of:

• the purchase price of the vehicle;
• the manufacturer's suggested retail price at the time of purchase; or
• the replacement of your vehicle with a new one of the like make, model, model year and style with similar options.

Depreciation will, however, still apply to tires, batteries, convertible tops and vehicle paint.

The Replacement Cost policy
This policy is available to "Road Star" customers of ICBC. It is designed to insure vehicles, not more than three years old, from depreciation and inflation. If your vehicle is written off, and you have a Replacement Cost policy, ICBC will replace your vehicle with the most current available model of the same vehicle or the cash equivalent. If your vehicle is repairable ICBC will authorize your repairer to use new, original manufacturer's parts.

Are you a Road Star?

Road Stars are drivers in B.C. who have a 43% discount with ICBC and a 9 year claims free record. If you think you are eligible, but don't have the extra Road Star coverages JUST ASK ME.

What benefits do Road Stars have?

As well as the Road Star Discount, 4 valuable coverages are available for only $15.00 per year if you have ICBC "own damage" insurance.

1. Lock Replacement if your car keys are stolen.
2. Loss of Use Coverage of up to $500 for substitute transportation, with no waiting period, if your vehicle is in an accident or stolen.
3. Annual Travel Protection will cover Extra Expenses if your vehicle is involved in an accident when travelling.
4. Annual Rental Vehicle Policy covers collision, comprehensive, third party liability, underinsured motorist protection, accident benefits, and loss of use when you rent a vehicle in Canada or the USA.

Do You Use Your Vehicle for Business?

Some special notes for you:

1. Check your ICBC documents - the rate class should be shown as Business or Delivery.
2. Special rates are available for Farmers, Fishermen, Tradesmen
3. Consider adding Loss of Use to provide substitute transportation if your vehicle is involved in an accident or is stolen.
4. The limit for Income Replacement coverage should be increased.
5. Consider getting a Driver's Policy to cover you for excess Liability while you are driving someone else's vehicle.
6. If other people use their own car while on your business, a Non-Owned Automobile Policy will provide you with liability protection.
7. Damage covering Non-Owned Vehicles provides collision and comprehensive coverage on vehicles you borrow.

JUST ASK ME for more information about insuring the business use of your vehicle.

Special Vehicles - Special Coverages

JUST ASK ME about Unlicensed Vehicle Policies for vehicles in storage or used off road.

JUST ASK ME about an Interim Binder of Insurance for importing a vehicle from outside B.C.

JUST ASK ME about Vintage and Collector Motor Vehicle Policies for older vehicles.

JUST ASK ME about an Excess Special Equipment Policy that applies to permanently attached equipment not provided by the manufacturer, such as sound equipment, canopies, winches, running boards and special paint finishes etc.

Tools of the Trade

Question: I'm a self-employed carpenter. I have my truck insured with ICBC as "artisan use" so does this also insure my carpentry tools that I keep in my truck?

Answer: ICBC only insures the vehicle itself and anything pertaining to the use of the vehicle, not the use of your job. House insurance will usually cover business equipment up to a limit, but only while its on your premises. You should look into business coverage for your tools and liability.

Unlicensed? Uninsured?

Question: I'm going to be storing my car in my garage and not using it for the next 6 months. If I cancel my ICBC Autoplan insurance will my house insurance cover any loss or damage to my car?

Answer: No, your home insurance doesn't cover anything that can be covered by ICBC - for example motorized vehicles, camper units, truck caps, and trailers, or their equipment. You need arrange for a storage policy from ICBC.

Lessee or Lessor?

Question: I'm considering leasing a vehicle - will I be responsible for insuring it?

Answer: Yes, the lessee is required to provide insurance but the lessor must authorise what coverage is required by written form. When the time comes that you no longer lease the vehicle and you need to cancel the insurance the lessor must provide a signed ICBC form allowing you to do so.

Does it Belong to You or Your Car?

Question: My car was broken into and some of my belongings were taken. Will ICBC cover the items taken?

Answer: Provided you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle ICBC will cover any damage done to the vehicle and anything that was permanently attached such as the stereo. Any personal belongings that were taken would be covered under a homeowners, tenants or condo policy subject to the policy deductible. Some insurance companies will limit the amount they will replace for items stolen from a vehicle, a typical limit is $1500. Westland Insurance policies do not have such a limit.

Your Home Policy May Limit or Exclude Coverages

JUST ASK ME how to arrange coverage for these special requirements when,

• You have a swimming pool
• You rent out part of your house
• You operate a Daycare or a Bed and Breakfast
• You use any part of your home for business
• You use or keep business equipment, property, or stock at home
• You permanently store or keep personal property elsewhere
• You collect Stamps or Coins
• You have jewelry or furs
• You have a boat, or any boating equipment
• You plan any renovations
• Your home is vacant
• You plan to be away for more than 4 consecutive days during the normal heating system

Wood Stove Requirements

If you have a wood stove or any other auxiliary heating, the units should be approved, professionally installed, cleaned regularly and may require an inspection. Improper use or maintenance of wood stoves and fireplace inserts are a major cause of serious home fires. Protect your family and your property. JUST ASK ME how to ensure your heating unit is safe.

Is it Really Guaranteed?

Question: What does Guaranteed Replacement Cost mean on my home policy?

Answer: If your home is properly insured to 100% of it's value, insurance companies will "guarantee" to repair or replace the damaged dwelling - in the event of an insured loss,

even if the cost exceeds the limit of insurance. There is usually a maximum percentage additional amount and a condition that you must advise within 30 days of any work performed that increases the replacement cost of your dwelling by $5,000. or more.

Value of Hearth & Home

Question: How is the limit of insurance for my home kept up to date every year?

Answer: There is a building index widely accepted throughout the insurance industry in Canada and this is used to calculate the cost of rebuilding your home. Your broker should review a detailed worksheet with you and from this worksheet a calculation is made to ensure that your home is properly insured. If you make any changes to your home, you should notify your broker so the worksheet can be updated.

A Quaking Question

Question: Why should I purchase earthquake insurance?

Answer: Seismologists predict that it's only a matter of time until British Columbia is faced with a major earthquake. Without insurance against earthquake you could find yourself without a home or a job and with the financial burden of repairing or replacing your home. If you have a mortgage on your destroyed home your financial institution will still expect monthly payments!

Business at Home

Question: I have a business that I run out of my home and my home insurance is extended to cover my business. Will my policy also cover any employees I have for my business?

Answer: Most home policies that are extended to cover a "home-based" business do not insure employees. You should talk to your broker about a separate business insurance policy.

Question: I operate my business out of my home. Is my business equipment covered by my home policy? What about any liability for my business?

Answer: Homeowners policies have specific limits for business equipment coverage, and have limited liability coverage for businesses. You should talk to your broker about either an extension to your home policy or a separate business insurance policy depending on your specific needs.

Tenants & Vandalism

Question: Why does the insurance policy that I have for my rental house have a tenant vandalism exclusion?

Answer: Insurance companies contend that selecting good tenants is the duty of the landlord and such duty should not be shifted to the insurance company via an insurance policy. Therefore, the Tenant Vandalism exclusion is put in place to ensure that vandalism damage done by tenants is the responsibility of the landlord.

The Small Print

Question: What does it mean when it states on my policy "there may be a clause that limits the amount payable"?

Answer: This means that at the time of a covered loss, there may be a deductible that you are responsible for paying. Many policies also have a Co-Insurance Clause which could affect a settlement in the event of a loss.

Question: What is a Co-Insurance Clause?

Answer: Most property insurance policies have a Co-Insurance clause. You should always insure your property to 100% of it's replacement value, however, this clause will indicate that you must insure your property to at least a certain percentage of the full replacement cost. For example with a 90% Co-Insurance clause you must maintain insurance to at least 90% of the replacement cost of the building. In the event of an insured loss you will never receive more than the amount insured, however, you may receive substantially less if the terms of the Co-insurance Clause have not been met.

Does it Have Wheels?

Question: I have some off-road trail bikes that I keep in my garage. Does my house insurance cover these if they are stolen?

Answer: Motorized trail bikes are insured by automobile insurance policies not by home insurance policies. So if it has wheels, you better make sure. Bicycle-yes; Garden tractor-yes (up to specified horsepower); Motorized trail bike-no.!

Question: Are my bicycles insured by my home insurance policy?

Answer: Bicycles are normally covered under the contents portion of your policy. Losses for bicycles would be subject to the policy deductible. Some insurance companies limit the amount payable - for example $1000. Westland home, condominium and tenants policies do not have such a limit.

Replace Or ......?

Question: If I have a claim, can I get paid out in cash instead of having the lost property replaced?

Answer: If you choose not to replace the lost property, most policies will pay cash settlements based on "actual cash value" – meaning replacement cost less depreciation.
However, if you choose to replace the lost property, in most cases it will be replaced with no deduction for depreciation.

Relatively Speaking

Question: My mother is going to move in with me - will my home policy cover her contents? What about her liability?

Answer: Naturally, you must ensure that the limit of insurance for your contents is sufficient to include hers. Most policies include, by definition, relatives living with you, however, you should confirm with your Broker and consider having her named on your policy with respect to contents and liability.

Question: My son is going away to university soon. My home policy shows a limit of $5000 for student property. Does "student property" include his laptop computer

Answer: Yes it does - up to a limit of $5,000. Any loss of course would be subject to the policy deductible. However, you should talk to your broker about the options available such as scheduling the computer to avoid a deductible in the event of a loss; and also to help you determine if the amount of insurance is sufficient. It is relatively inexpensive to increase the limit.

Empty Nests

Question: What the difference between "vacant" and "unoccupied" in my insurance policy?

Answer: A vacant building means the occupants have moved out with no intent to return. A newly constructed dwelling is vacant after it is completed and before the occupants move in. A dwelling is also vacant when the occupants move out and before any new occupants moves in. An unoccupied dwelling is uninhabited -- i.e. occupants are away on an extended vacation. Vacancy beyond a specified period of time is prohibited by the most property insurance policies. Both "Vacancy" and "Unoccupancy" have very specific insurance requirements and you should confer with your insurance broker prior to either situation occurring.

Question: I'm going on vacation for a couple of weeks in December- do I need to let you know or do anything?

Answer: Most policies have a condition that if you are away more than a specified number of days during the usual heating season (usually 4 days), then you must arrange for a competent person to enter your home daily to ensure that heating has been maintained OR you must shut off the water supply and drain all the pipes and appliances. Failure do this will void cover for damage caused by pipe bursts due to freezing.
It is a good idea to let your insurance company know who will be "looking after" your home so that in the event of a claim we will know who the person reporting it is and who to contact etc.

Question: I've just bought a house that requires renovation before I move in. If I buy a home insurance policy are there any restrictions?

Answer: As the house will be vacant during renovations you will be required to obtain a vacancy permit if the vacancy will be for more than 30 consecutive days. The vacancy permit will be starting from day 31. However, you should be aware that even though permission for vacancy is granted, water damage, vandalism and glass breakage will not be covered by your insurance.

Neighbouring Property

Question: Am I covered if my neighbour's tree falls on my home?

Answer: Yes-subject to your deductible which is usually a minimum of $500. However, your insurance does not provide coverage for the REMOVAL OF THE TREE OR DEBRIS FROM THE TREE -- only the damage to your property.

Question: Won't my neighbour's insurance policy pay for the damage to my home? It was his tree.

Answer: Only if it can be proven in a court of law that your neighbour was negligent and legally liable. This is extremely difficult to prove.

Question: If my tree falls on my neighbours house, will my policy cover the damage?

Answer: If your tree falls on your neighbours house, your neighbours insurance policy should cover the damage as it may not be your fault that the tree fell on the house in the first place. You may have a liability claim if the tree fell due to your negligence - For example, you had been advised that the tree should have been removed or topped.

Water, Water, Everywhere

Question: Under my home insurance policy am I covered for flood?

Answer: Flood is defined as the overflow of water from its natural boundaries (i.e. from a river, lake or ocean) and you are not covered for loss or damage caused by this peril or by waves.

However, most policies will respond to loss or damage caused by water escape –

meaning the accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam from within a plumbing, heating, sprinkler or air conditioning system, domestic appliance, water bed, swimming pool or equipment attached and public watermains. You are also covered for the sudden bursting of pipes and the freezing of pipes within a heated building (subject to your policy requirements if you are away for several days, your home is vacant or your home is under construction).

In addition, if your policy includes a "Sewer Backup Extension Endorsement" you are covered for the overflow of water from sewers, drains, sumps, septic tanks, eavestroughs and downspouts (excluding if caused by flood, or while vacant or under construction). Westland policies include Sewer Backup.