Treatment is covered regardless of fault
BC has had no-fault Enhanced Care since 2021. After a crash, drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists who are hit can claim treatment costs whoever was at fault, and crashes anywhere in Canada or the United States count.[1][2][3]
What needs no approval in the first 12 weeks
In the first 12 weeks after a crash, the following treatments do not need ICBC's prior approval:[1]
| Treatment | Visits |
|---|---|
| Physiotherapy | 25 |
| Chiropractic | 25 |
| Massage therapy | 12 |
| Kinesiology | 12 |
| Psychologist / counselling | 12 each |
| Acupuncture | 12 |
A referral from a family doctor is not required; you need an ICBC claim number and your PHN. Many clinics bill ICBC directly. If a clinic does not, pay first and submit the receipts to ICBC within 180 days.[1]
You may owe the difference
If a clinic charges more than ICBC's rate, you pay the extra, or may claim it through a workplace plan. ICBC publishes a fee guide for health care providers.[4] It helps to ask the clinic beforehand whether it charges a user fee.
How to report the crash
- Report as soon as you are safe; you receive a claim number on the spot.
- By phone: 604-520-8222 in the Lower Mainland or 1-800-910-4222, daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Or report online at icbc.com.[2]
If you cannot work
If an injury keeps you from working, ICBC pays 90% of after-tax income, calculated on annual income up to $122,500.[3] Confirm the amounts on the ICBC website.
Fault is still determined
Treatment does not depend on fault, but responsibility for the crash is still assessed and can affect the driver's record and premiums.