Can You Drive Your BC-Registered Vehicle to Other Provinces? What Happens If You Leave BC for More Than 30 Days?

The answer is yes! If your vehicle is insured in British Columbia and your policy meets the applicable requirements, you can generally drive it to other Canadian provinces and even travel to the United States.

However, if you plan to stay outside BC for an extended period, there are a few insurance considerations to keep in mind. A short vacation and keeping your vehicle in another province for an extended period may be treated differently for insurance purposes.

1. Do You Need to Change Your Policy for a Short Trip to Another Province?

Generally, no.

If you are simply planning a road trip to Alberta, Saskatchewan, or another province for a few days or a week or two, you usually do not need to make changes to your existing ICBC Autoplan policy just because you are temporarily leaving BC.

ICBC and private auto insurance policies generally provide coverage while travelling within Canada and the United States. This means that short trips outside BC are usually covered without requiring any special policy adjustments.

Nevertheless, before you leave, it is a good idea to check that your policy information is up to date and find out whether your destination has any additional vehicle registration or insurance requirements.

2. What If You Stay Outside BC for More Than 30 Days?

This is where you need to pay closer attention.

If you are not simply travelling but intend to stay in another province for an extended period, or keep your vehicle there on a long-term basis, you may need to update your existing policy.

In particular, the territory where your vehicle is primarily located may need to be changed to the applicable out-of-province territory code. This can result in a significant increase in your insurance premium.

Any additional premium will depend on where the vehicle is kept and the applicable rating rules. Once your vehicle returns to BC, you should also contact your insurance broker to confirm whether your policy needs to be updated again.

3. What If You Are Permanently Moving to Another Province?

If you are permanently moving to another province, the process is different.

Generally, you will need to follow the new province’s requirements for vehicle registration, licence plates, and auto insurance.

A BC Autoplan policy is not intended to serve as a long-term insurance arrangement after you have permanently relocated to another province.

If you are planning a permanent move, it is best to contact your insurance broker in advance to understand the steps involved and avoid any gaps in coverage.

4. What Should You Check Before Leaving BC?

If you are planning to drive outside BC, here are a few things worth considering:

Short-term travel: You can generally continue using your existing Autoplan policy without making changes just for a short trip.
Extended stays: If you plan to remain in another province for an extended period, check with your insurance broker to confirm whether your policy needs to be updated.
Business use outside BC: If you intend to use your vehicle for business purposes in another province, your vehicle use classification and applicable rating may need to be reviewed.
Permanent relocation: You will generally need to arrange vehicle registration and insurance according to the requirements of your new province.

Additionally, if you frequently drive outside BC, you may want to consider whether your Third Party Liability (TPL) limit is sufficient for your needs. ICBC also recommends discussing Extended Third Party Liability with your insurance broker to make sure you have an appropriate level of protection.

Final Thoughts: Short Trips Are Generally Fine, but Extended Stays Need Attention

The good news is that if you are simply planning a road trip to another province, you generally do not need to change your existing auto insurance policy just because you are leaving BC.

However, if you intend to stay outside BC for an extended period or keep your vehicle in another province long-term, you should confirm your insurance arrangements with your broker beforehand.

A change in your vehicle’s primary location may affect how your policy is rated and could result in a noticeable difference in your premium.

If you are planning to be away from BC for an extended period, contact your insurance broker before you leave. It is always better to confirm your coverage in advance than to discover that your insurance arrangements need attention later.