Priuses spinning out into a snowbank. Buses stuck on hills. And now, snarling traffic leaving hundreds of people stranded in the biggest snowfall of the year.
It’s not uncommon to have snow in Metro Vancouver, but for some reason, it always seems to come unexpected.
But what happens if you had summer tires on and got in an accident? Can driving your car without winter tires void your insurance coverage if you get in a accident?
No, according to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) — not even on highways where it’s required during the winter months.
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There are two things ICBC looks at to assess an insurance claim, says criminal lawyer Kyla Lee — one, are you insured? Do you have certain offences that can invalidate your insurance such as an expired or prohibited licence?
If you drive without snow tires along a mountain highway in the winter, you may be in breach of the law, but not any more than if you were speeding, says the lawyer.
“Not following the rules of the road doesn’t mean you’re not insured,” she said. “You’re still insured, you’re just negligent.”
That could affect how much your insurance will go up or whether or not you have to pay a deductible with the claim.
Read the full story here.