Events - Buntain Insurance

COVID 19 RESPONSE:

ICBC Renewals – We can now issue via e-mail - Read More

Buntain Insurance - Current Hours and Covid-19 Precautions - Read More

Challenges in the Commercial Insurance Market - Read More

For ICBC renewals please call 604-733-3000 or reach out to us by e-mail at info@buntaininsurance.com and we will arrange to process and e-mail your ICBC policy documents.

The following information will be required to process your renewal:

E-mail consent agreeing to have your personal information and ICBC documents sent by e-mail
Registered Owner(s)
Best contact phone number
E-mail address
Expiry date of your policy
Plate Number
Drivers License Number
Birthdate
Will you be renewing for a full year or for a shorter period of time?
Is your vehicle leased? If yes, which leasing company?
Payment type: credit card or are you already on a monthly payment plan?
A photo of the vehicle odometer if vehicle to be driven less then 5,000km a year (photo must show a date within 7 days of transaction date)

Once we have received the above responses, you will be put into a queue with our Auto Team who will contact you by phone to process the transaction.

Please note that due to the volume of calls and e-mail requests we have been receiving, our processing time on changes, storage policies and cancellations can be up to 7-10 business days.

For the most recent COVID 19 updates from ICBC please see https://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/contact-us/Pages/covid-19.aspx

We are excited to be back, but things are going to look a little different from before. We thank you again for your patience through this process.

ICBC renewals, changes and cancellations can still be processed by phone/e-mail so please do not hesitate to use this method.

We will be accepting Transfers of Ownership, but will require that clients book an appointment to ensure we have adequate staffing in place to service the transaction.

Point Grey Office hours: 9:30am - 5:00pm (Monday to Friday) and 9:30am - 4:30pm (Saturdays)

Dunbar Office hours: Monday – 9:30am - 5:00pm (Monday to Friday), 9:00am - 5:00pm (Saturdays) and 10:00am - 5:00pm (Sundays)

Oak Street hours: 9:30am – 5:00pm (Monday to Friday)

South Granville office hours: 9:30am – 5:00pm (Monday to Friday)

Main Street office hours: 9:30am – 5:00pm (Monday to Friday), 9:30am - 4:30pm (Saturdays)

What you need to know before you come in:

*Please note that we are available to assist all clients over the phone at 604-733-3000 from 9:30am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday and 9:00am-5:00pm on Saturdays

To ensure adequate social distancing we will be limiting the number of clients in the office at any one time as follows:

Point Grey: 2 clients
Dunbar: 2 clients
Oak Street: 1 client
South Granville: 1 client
Main Street: 2 clients

Additional clients will be asked to wait outside the office doors

We ask that as clients approach the front desk that they use the hand sanitizer provided

During COVID-19 we will not be accepting cash payments.

We will provide pens and screw drivers (for plates) but would recommend that clients bring their own

We will be asking any client exhibiting any symptoms of COVID 19 to leave the office to ensure the safety of our staff

We will be implementing regular cleaning of the front counters for your protection

Over the past several months, we have seen a rapid transition into a “hardening market”. What is causing this:

Increased number and severity of claims (including catastrophic events, natural disasters such as severe weather)

Increased cost of claims settlement

Lower investment returns by the Insurance Companies

How do Insurance Companies respond in this environment:

Increase premiums

Increase deductibles

Limit coverage

Reduce participation on a policy (will require that other Insurance

Companies take on part of the risk)

Implement tighter underwriting requirements (Insurance Companies will require risks to meet strict underwriting guidelines; in particular, wiring, plumbing, heating and roofing upgrades along with potential liability exposures)

Reluctance to take on new risks – in many cases we do not hear back on new submissions

Significant delays in providing renewal terms and responses to our inquiries

Package policies that were automatically renewed in the past are now requiring additional underwriting

What Buntain is doing to assist our clients:

We are requesting renewal terms 30-45 days in advance

Re-marketing when renewal terms require another Insurance Company to participate or when the insurance company is unable to offer renewal terms

Following up with Commercial Underwriters on a regular basis

Negotiating on your behalf to receive the best possible terms, rates and coverages

We are no longer accepting new business so that we can focus on our current clients

What our current clients can do to assist the process:

Respond quickly to our requests for additional underwriting information

Be prepared to work with the Insurance Company where building/business improvements are required

Be patient with Buntain’s response time and understand that we are doing our best in this very challenging market