Frequently Asked Questions and Other Helpful Information
- How can I check if there is a lien on a vehicle?
- What information will a vehicle status search provide?
- What information will an ICBC Vehicle Claims History report provide?
- Will the Claims History Report tell me specific details of the damage?
- How can I confirm that I am buying the vehicle from the registered owner?
- What if I order a Vehicle Claims History Report after I have already purchased the vehicle and find out that the person or company who sold me the vehicle misrepresented its history? Do I have any recourse?
- What if I have more questions about buying a used car? Where can I find more information?
- Can I find out which province or country the vehicle came from?
- I don't understand some of the terms on the report. Where can I find definitions?
- Business Errors
- Printing/Emailing the Report
1. How can I check if there is a lien on a vehicle?
In B.C., liens are registered by the Personal Property Registry in Victoria. If you have the vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), you can have a lien search done by:
- some ServiceBC centres (in person only), or
- the Personal Property Registry (in person or written requests).
Please note: ICBC driver licensing offices no longer do lien searches.
If the vehicle you are interested in is from another province or state, a lien search should be done for that location. You can get Canada-wide lien information by ordering a CarProof™ VerifiedBC vehicle history report.
2. What information will a vehicle status search provide?
It will show the vehicle's status on the B.C. vehicle registry: normal, rebuilt, salvage, altered, or non-repairable. See FAQ #9 for status definitions.
3. What information will an ICBC Vehicle Claims History report provide?
A Vehicle Claims History Report shows whether a used vehicle has had any damage claims with ICBC. The report will also tell you:
- the type of claim (e.g., collision, vandalism)
- the date the damage occurred and the amount paid or the amount of the outstanding damage estimate, if available
- the location of the primary area of damage (available for most claims)
- whether a claim was made to ICBC for theft of the vehicle
- the vehicle’s status (the report also provides a definition of the status)
- if the vehicle may be required to pass a mechanical/safety inspection before it can be licensed (due to an outstanding Notice and Order). See FAQ #9 for a definition.
- if there may be certain restrictions (other than the requirement for a mechanical inspection) that may prevent you from licensing and insuring the vehicle. (Some examples: a Court Order which may prevent you from transferring the vehicle into your name and licensing it; the vehicle may have been reported as stolen, etc.)
- whether the vehicle has been imported from another jurisdiction (the report will state if the vehicle is a Canadian or foreign import, but the date the vehicle entered B.C. is not available). See FAQ #8.
This service can be used to complete more than one search if you have a few vehicles to research, but a search fee will be charged for each search completed. You can only search for one vehicle at a time.
Important Notes:
- A search fee is charged whether damage claims are found or not.
- You can print the report, or email it to an email address of your choice.
Reminder: Claims information is from ICBC’s files only―damage paid by other insurance companies is not included.
4. Will the Claims History Report tell me specific details of the damage?
For most claims, the report lists the primary area of the vehicle that was damaged.
If the damage occurred after 2002, it may be possible to obtain a copy of the detailed damage estimate (if available) for a fee of $16.78 + GST, payable by VISA or MasterCard.
To enquire about a detailed damage estimate and the length of time it will take to receive a copy:
- print the report,
- contact us at 604-661-2233 or toll free at 1-800-464-5050
(Mon. to Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and - have your driver’s licence number available when you call.
5. How can I confirm that I am buying the vehicle from the registered owner?
Due to privacy legislation, we are unable to provide information regarding the registered owner of the vehicle. The best way to ensure you are buying the vehicle from the legal owner is to ask the seller for their current vehicle registration document. Confirm that the listed registered owner is the person selling the vehicle by asking for photo identification (for example, a driver's licence). You can also check the Canadian Police Information Centre's (CPIC) stolen vehicle web site to confirm the vehicle has not been reported as stolen.
Please note: We recommend the purchaser and seller attend an Autoplan broker’s office together to complete the transfer of ownership.
6. What if I order a Vehicle Claims History Report after I have already purchased the vehicle and find out that the person or company who sold me the vehicle misrepresented its history? Do I have any recourse?
Because it is a "buyer beware" market in B.C., it is difficult to act against the seller after the vehicle has been sold. If you purchased the vehicle from a B.C. based licensed motor dealer, you may enquire with the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of British Columbia regarding your options. If you purchased the vehicle privately, you may want to consider seeking legal advice.
7. What if I have more questions about buying a used car? Where can I find more information?
Visit icbc.com for more information on buying a used vehicle.
8. Can I find out which province or country the vehicle came from?
The ICBC Vehicle Claims History Report will state if the vehicle is a Canadian or foreign import, but it will not specify which province/territory or country the vehicle came from. To find out more about the origin and past registration of a vehicle, you may purchase a CARFAX Canada report.
9. I don't understand some of the terms on the report. Where can I find definitions?
The following list defines some of the terms that may be found on the Vehicle Claims History Report. If you do not find the answer to your question, please contact us, and we will be happy to help.
Definitions
Vehicle Status: All vehicles in North America are assigned a status to describe the general state of the vehicle and whether it qualifies to be licensed.
Vehicle status is used to track:
- vehicles sold by insurance companies as salvage,
- salvage vehicles which have been rebuilt, inspected, and re-licensed, and
- wrecked vehicles that have been decommissioned and can only be resold for parts.
There are five vehicle status types in B.C.:
ALTERED: This status is given to a vehicle that has been significantly modified after its manufacture. (An example of this type of modification would be a vehicle with a suspension height altered by more than 10 cm, such as a “big foot” pickup.) It is also used for homemade and some other constructed vehicles to indicate that they have been inspected and are structurally sound. The status is added when the vehicle has passed inspection.
Please note: Vehicle status alone does not fully describe a vehicle's mechanical condition or damage history.
NORMAL: If a vehicle does not have a status of rebuilt, salvage, non-repairable or altered, it is considered to have a normal status. "Normal" is simply a term used for the purposes of vehicle registration. A normal status does not mean the vehicle has never been damaged or is in good mechanical condition.
Please note: Vehicle status alone does not fully describe a vehicle's mechanical condition or damage history.
REBUILT: This status is assigned to "salvage" vehicles after they have been repaired and have passed inspection.
Please note: Vehicle status alone does not fully describe a vehicle's mechanical condition or damage history.SALVAGE: This status is given to a vehicle that has been written off in an accidental loss, but has the potential to be repaired or reconstructed. The vehicle must be repaired and inspected before it can be licensed or reinsured.
Please note: Vehicle status alone does not fully describe a vehicle's mechanical condition or damage history.
NON-REPAIRABLE: This status is given to a vehicle that:
- has been written off or otherwise decommissioned,
- cannot be repaired due to structural or safety impairment, and
- can never be re-licensed or insured
A Non-repairable vehicle may be used only for parts or scrap.
Inspection Required/Notice and Order
Vehicles are examined at roadside checks and at Inspection Stations (formerly referred to as Weigh Scales) throughout B.C. to ensure they are safe to operate on our highways.
If Inspection Required is shown on the report, this means a peace officer, authorized to enforce the Motor Vehicle Act, may have issued a Notice and Order against this vehicle. The vehicle may not comply with safety and repair standards and may be required to pass a mechanical/safety inspection (at a Designated Inspection Facility) before it can be licensed and insured.
The vehicle’s current owner should be able to confirm if they have a valid ‘passed’ inspection report. You should take it with you when you attend your Autoplan broker’s office.
Due to privacy laws, ICBC cannot release further details to anyone other than the vehicle’s owner.
Please note: Since Notice and Orders are added to vehicle records by Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE), there may be a delay in ICBC’s records reflecting the addition or removal of a Notice and Order. For more information about Notice and Orders, please contact CVSE’s Vehicle Inspection department at 250-952-0577, or by email at vehicle.inspections@gov.bc.ca
Licensing Restriction
If Licensing Restriction appears on the report, this means there may be certain restrictions (other than the requirement for a mechanical/safety inspection) that may prevent you from licensing the vehicle. (Some examples: a Court Order which may prevent you from transferring the vehicle into your name and licensing it; the vehicle may have been reported as stolen, etc.)
Due to privacy laws, ICBC cannot release further details to anyone other than the vehicle’s owner.
Import Vehicle Codes
Canadian Import: The vehicle was imported into B.C. from another Canadian Province or Territory. Foreign Import: The vehicle was imported into B.C. from outside Canada.
Type of Claim
The report may list one of the following claim types. If you have more questions, please contact us.
Animal Collision: Damage caused by a collision with a domestic or wild animal (dead or alive), except an animal being transported as cargo.
Collision: Damage caused by collision with an object or a vehicle.
Comprehensive: Damage caused by something other than collision. Damage can be caused by missiles, falling or flying objects, explosion, earthquake, windstorm, hail, rising water, riot, or civil commotion.
Fire: Damage caused by a fire.
Flood: A vehicle that has been immersed in a liquid to the bottom of the dashboard or to a level affecting any of the major electical system components, and/or a vehicle contaminated with toxic or biohazardous fluid that renders the vehicle unsafe due to toxic hazard.The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators' Guidelines define the "bottom of the dash" as the area where the floor meets the firewall at the seam. As of 2008, flood vehicles could not be licensed and insured in B.C.
Glass: Glass claims involving accidental breakage of any window of a vehicle, including a sunroof.
Sound/Communication: This means a claim was paid under a Special Sound and Communication Equipment Endorsement. This endorsement covers sound and communication equipment that was not supplied by or available from the vehicle’s manufacturer and is not permanently attached to the vehicle. A typically covered item would be speakers attached to the vehicle with Velcro tape, used in combination with a permanently attached car stereo. Equipment designed to be operated in a location other than the vehicle is excluded.Special Equipment: This means a claim was paid under an Excess Special Equipment Endorsement. This endorsement provides insurance for loss of or damage to extra items that were added to the vehicle. It covers permanently attached equipment that was not supplied by or available from the vehicle’s manufacturer and exceeds a certain value. Items typically covered include a custom paint finish, special wheels, and a permanently attached non-manufacturer’s stereo.
Theft: The claim may be for theft from the vehicle or total theft of auto (please see below).
Theft from Vehicle: Damage caused by theft of parts or attached equipment from a vehicle (e.g. stereo, wheels, winch, etc.). This also includes damage to a vehicle that is a result of theft or attempted theft of articles from the vehicle. Example: side window has been broken to gain entry to a vehicle and a tape deck was stolen.
Total Theft of Auto: The vehicle was stolen.
Unknown: The type of claim is yet to be determined.
Vandalism: Damage caused by vandals.
Description
The report may list one or more of the following:
Repairs: Payment was made to repair damage to the vehicle.
Estimate: Estimated cost to repair the vehicle's damage (less taxes). Note: The estimate may not reflect the actual cost of repairs. For example, hidden damage may be found when the vehicle is being repaired at the repair facility. The vehicle may have a repair estimate; however, it's possible that the nature and extent of damage may make the vehicle a total loss and not economical to repair.
No Details: No details may display if ICBC:
- does not have an estimate of the vehicle's damage and
- has not made a payment with respect to the damage (e.g., has not paid for repairs or made a settlement).
For more information, see Statements of Limitation.
You should consider having the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic.
Total Loss: A vehicle is a total loss when it is not economical to fix it or when it cannot be sufficiently repaired to be operated safely. A stolen vehicle that was not recovered when the claim was settled may also show as a "Total Loss" on the Vehicle Claims History Report. The dollar amount of a total loss settlement is not available.
Cash Settlement: A cash settlement represents the amount ICBC paid to a vehicle owner, in lieu of paying for full repairs. A cash settlement dollar amount is usually a percentage of the overall repair amount. The extent of damages and safety of the vehicle are considered prior to determining if a cash settlement is appropriate.
Contract: A contract repair was a method of resolving a claim where ICBC negotiated with a repair shop a set price for total repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle owner may have chosen this as an option if the estimated repair costs exceeded the value of the vehicle. The extent of damages and safety of the vehicle were considered prior to determining if a contract repair was appropriate.
Please note: Contract repairs are no longer offered.
Primary Area of Damage
For most claims, the reports list the location of the primary area of damage. This is the area on the vehicle that costs the most (or was initially estimated to cost the most) to repair. Note: Other areas of the vehicle may have also been damaged.
The primary area of damage may not necessarily be the area of the vehicle that sustained the greatest forces of impact. For a few types of claims (such as glass claims) we are unable to publish the primary area of damage, as our systems are unable to retrieve this information.
Vehicle Identification Number
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a series of letters and numbers assigned by the vehicle’s manufacturer and, since the 1980s, is unique to every vehicle. Most modern VINs are 17 characters long. Vehicles manufactured prior to 1981, and rebuilt vehicles may have fewer characters. You can find the VIN on the dashboard identification plate, on the doorpost, and on the engine firewall. The VIN on the vehicle must match the VIN on the vehicle's registration documents. In older vehicles, and conversationally, the VIN is sometimes called the serial number.
If you are having difficulty finding the VIN on the vehicle, or the system is unable to find a match for the VIN you are researching, please contact us.
10. Business Errors
Occasionally, you may receive a Business Error when requesting a report. If you encounter one of these Business Errors, please follow the prompt on the screen and telephone ICBC’s Driver Testing and Vehicle Information Services department. The Business Errors often mean that ICBC must conduct additional investigation.
Please note: When you receive a Business Error, the report fee will not have yet been charged to your credit card.
11. Printing/Emailing the Report
After you complete a search, you are given the option of printing or emailing the Vehicle Claims History report, or doing both. Because each time you request a search (even on the same VIN) you will be charged a fee, it is suggested that you print, or email a copy for your reference.
If you do email a copy, be aware that you cannot reply to the email. If you have questions, please contact us.
