Insurance questions, answered
Grouped by topic and written in plain language: brokers and commissions, home and strata cover, business insurance, ICBC Autoplan, claims and your information.
Common questions about insurance in British Columbia, answered plainly and grouped by topic by Nikki Tehara, a licensed BC insurance broker. Nikki serves all of British Columbia by phone, email and e-signature, so if your question is not here, the fastest route to an answer is simply to ask.
Working with a broker
Insurance licensees in BC, whether they work as brokers or agents, are licensed and regulated by the Insurance Council of British Columbia.
What does an insurance broker do?
A broker works for you, not for one insurance company. Nikki takes the details of what you need to insure, approaches multiple insurers through InsureBC, compares the quotes that come back, and explains the differences in coverage as well as price. After you buy, the broker remains your point of contact for changes, renewals and claims guidance.
Who pays an insurance broker?
The insurer does. When a policy is placed, the insurance company pays the brokerage a commission that is built into the premium, so broker compensation comes from the insurer rather than as a separate bill to you. Any fee beyond that, which is not the normal case, would be disclosed to you clearly before you committed to anything.
What is the difference between an insurance broker and an insurance agent?
An agent typically represents one insurance company and sells only its products. A broker represents you and can place your insurance with any of the insurers the brokerage works with, which allows real comparison. In BC, both are licensed by the Insurance Council of British Columbia. Nikki is a Level 2 General Insurance Agent operating in the broker model through InsureBC.
Does using a broker cost more?
Not normally. The commission is paid by the insurer out of the premium, so you are not charged extra for buying through a brokerage. Where prices differ, it is because different insurers rate the same risk differently, which is exactly what a comparison surfaces. For ICBC Autoplan, rates are set by ICBC and do not change based on which broker you use.
Can Nikki help me if I am not in the Sea to Sky?
Yes. Nikki is licensed for all of British Columbia and works by phone, email and e-signature, so the process is the same whether you are in Victoria, Kelowna, Prince George or Fort St. John. Policies are placed through InsureBC (Squamish) Insurance Services Ltd., and documents are signed electronically.
Home, condo and tenant insurance
Background reading, if you want it: the Insurance Bureau of Canada publishes plain-language material on flood and earthquake coverage, and the Government of BC maintains guidance on strata housing and residential tenancies.
Do I need earthquake insurance in BC?
No law requires it, and standard BC home and condo policies typically do not include it. Earthquake is optional coverage with its own premium and usually a percentage deductible. Whether it makes sense depends on where you live, what you owe on the property and what you could absorb after a major loss. Ask for it to be priced on your quote so the decision is made with real numbers.
Is wildfire damage covered by home insurance in BC?
Typically, yes. Fire is a standard covered peril on home policies, and that includes wildfire. The practical issues are price and timing rather than coverage: homes in interface areas can cost more to insure, and insurers can restrict new policies in an area while a wildfire is actively burning nearby. If you are buying a home during fire season, arrange insurance early.
What are overland flood and sewer backup coverage?
They are optional water endorsements. Overland flood covers water entering from outside, such as a river overflowing or heavy rain pooling against the house. Sewer backup covers water forced back through drains and sewer lines. Neither is typically a standard part of a BC home policy, and limits and deductibles vary noticeably between insurers, so ask for both to be quoted if water is a concern where you live.
What is a strata deductible and who pays it?
The strata corporation insures the building and carries deductibles that can be substantial for water and earthquake claims. If a loss originating in your unit triggers a strata claim, the corporation may look to you for its deductible. Personal condo policies commonly include strata deductible coverage for exactly this, and the limit you choose should reflect the deductibles shown in the strata insurance summary, so read that document before buying.
Does home insurance cover Airbnb or short-term rentals?
Not unless the insurer knows and has agreed. Short-term rental use is commonly excluded from standard home and condo policies, and hosting without telling your insurer can put a claim at risk. Some insurers offer endorsements or specialty policies for hosting. If you rent out any part of your home, on any platform, tell your broker before a guest arrives, not after a loss.
ICBC Autoplan
ICBC publishes its own coverage information at icbc.com/insurance, including a section on products and coverage. The answers below cover what a broker adds to that picture.
Can I renew my ICBC insurance online?
Yes, for eligible policies. ICBC offers online renewal, and many straightforward Autoplan renewals can be completed that way. Not every policy qualifies, and buying or selling a vehicle, or getting new plates, has to be done in person at a broker office. Nikki can also do renewals with you over the phone. If you are not sure whether your renewal qualifies, or you want your optional coverage reviewed before renewing, call or email Nikki.
What is ICBC optional coverage?
Basic Autoplan is the mandatory coverage for vehicles driven on BC roads. Optional coverages sit on top of it and include things such as collision, comprehensive, extended third party liability and loss of use. Optional coverage is where the real choices live: deductibles, limits and which coverages you carry at all. ICBC publishes details of its products, and a broker can walk you through what each piece does before you renew.
I just bought a vehicle. How do I insure it?
New plates, and buying or selling a vehicle, have to be done in person with an Autoplan broker; dealerships often have a broker attend the sale. Bring your licence and the vehicle paperwork, such as the transfer form and registration. If you are buying privately, sort out insurance before you drive the vehicle anywhere. Nikki can talk you through what your purchase needs beforehand.
Business insurance
These answers are general starting points. What a specific business needs depends on what it does, so treat them as the beginning of a conversation rather than the end of one.
What insurance does a small business need in BC?
It depends on what the business does, but many start with commercial general liability, which responds to third party injury and property damage claims. Beyond that, common pieces include coverage for equipment and stock, business interruption, professional liability for advice-based work, and cyber coverage. There is no single right package. A short conversation about your operations usually narrows it down quickly.
Does my home policy cover my home-based business?
Not normally. Standard home policies commonly exclude business use the insurer has not been told about, which can affect both business property and liability claims. Depending on the operation, the fix may be a home business endorsement or a separate commercial policy. If customers visit, stock is stored, or the business owns equipment, mention it when quoting your home so nothing is left uncovered by silence.
Claims and renewals
Claims are decided and paid by the insurer. The broker is the person who explains the process, keeps you oriented and follows up on your behalf.
What happens if I have to make a claim?
Report the loss to your insurer, or call Nikki first if you want help deciding how to proceed. The insurer assigns an adjuster who confirms coverage, assesses the damage and settles the claim under the policy terms. Your broker does not decide the outcome but can explain the process, help with paperwork and follow up if things stall. Keep photos, receipts and a list of what was damaged.
What should I do when my renewal arrives?
Read it rather than filing it. Check that the rebuild limit, deductibles, and any endorsements such as sewer backup still match your situation, and flag anything that changed during the year: a renovation, a new suite, a home business. If the premium moved noticeably, ask why. A renewal is also a natural time to have the policy remarketed against other insurers.
Privacy and your information
The short version is below. The privacy page carries the full detail.
What happens to my information?
Information you provide for a quote is used to obtain quotes and place coverage. It is shared with the insurers being asked to quote, because underwriting depends on it, and held in the brokerage systems that manage client files. See the privacy page on this site for the full picture, including how to reach Nikki with questions about what is held on your file.
Why do insurers need so much detail to quote?
Because the price and the promise both rest on it. Insurers rate a risk on the details you declare, from roof age to claims history, and the policy is issued on the basis that those answers are accurate. Inaccurate or incomplete answers can complicate a claim later. Answering carefully up front is not bureaucracy; it is what makes the policy dependable when you need it.
Where to next
Or send the question that is not on this page through the contact page.
Get an answer specific to you
General answers only go so far. A few details about your situation and Nikki comes back with real options.
Start my quoteQuotes are estimates based on the information provided. Coverage is subject to underwriting and is not in force until confirmed in writing by a licensed broker.