Passenger Transportation Insurance in British Columbia
BC passenger transportation operators — taxi, limousine, bus, shuttle, accessible transport, and rideshare — face the toughest commercial auto market in Canada. Coverage typically runs $3,500–$12,000/vehicle/yr depending on Passenger Transportation Board licence class and passenger capacity. Get a free, transparent estimate in under 60 seconds.
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What BC passenger transport operators pay in 2026
| Operator | Per vehicle / year | Required licence class |
|---|
| Taxi (Lower Mainland) | $8,000–$12,000/vehicle/yr | PTB Passenger Directed (PDVA) |
| Limousine / executive sedan | $5,500–$9,500/vehicle/yr | PTB Passenger Directed |
| Shuttle / charter bus (under 25 seats) | $4,500–$8,000/vehicle/yr | PTB Inter-City / Charter |
| Highway coach (25+ seats) | $9,000–$15,000/vehicle/yr | PTB Inter-City Bus |
| Rideshare (TNS Class) | $3,500–$6,500/vehicle/yr | PTB Transportation Network Services |
| Accessible / HandyDART contractor | $5,000–$9,500/vehicle/yr | PTB Passenger Directed |
What BC passenger transport policies need to cover
- ICBC Class 8 / 10 commercial auto: Mandatory base coverage. Most PTB licences require $5M+ third-party liability.
- Passenger Hazard / SEF 44: Family-protection endorsement is effectively required for any vehicle carrying paying passengers.
- $5M – $10M excess liability: PTB and most municipal taxi bylaws require above the ICBC base layer.
- Garage Auto Policy (GAP): For operators with their own depot, charter pool, or shop space.
- Driver vetting: Carriers require Class 4 (or Class 1/2 for buses) abstracts annually; one at-fault claim per driver per 3 years can re-rate the entire fleet.
BC passenger transportation insurance FAQ
Is my regular ICBC plate enough to carry paying passengers?
No. The Passenger Transportation Act requires PTB licensing plus a commercial-rated ICBC policy (Class 8/10 + passenger hazard). Running paid passengers on a personal-use plate voids coverage.
Do rideshare drivers (Uber / Lyft) need their own commercial policy in BC?
The TNS company's blanket policy covers most situations, but drivers carrying delivery/courier work or who own multiple vehicles should consider a personal commercial endorsement to avoid coverage gaps when the app is off.
How can I lower my passenger transport insurance premium?
The biggest savings come from a clean 3-year fleet abstract, telematics/GPS adoption, in-vehicle cameras, and consolidating multiple vehicles on one fleet policy instead of separate per-vehicle policies.
How It Works
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Insurance by Industry
- Roofing Insurance BC — $5,000 to $20,000+/yr
- Trucking Insurance BC — $8,000 to $15,000+/truck
- Contractor Insurance BC — $1,500 to $5,000/yr
- Excavation Insurance BC — $4,500 to $18,000/yr
- Welding Insurance BC — $4,000 to $15,000/yr
- Restaurant Insurance BC — $2,000 to $8,000/yr
- Retail Insurance BC — $800 to $3,000/yr
- Technology Insurance BC — $1,000 to $5,000/yr
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- Plumber Insurance BC
- HVAC Insurance BC
- Manufacturing Insurance BC
- Security Insurance BC
- Cleaning Insurance BC
- Auto Repair Insurance BC
Insurance by City
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does roofing insurance cost in BC?
Roofing insurance in BC ranges from $5,000 to $20,000+ per year. Roofers doing torch-on or hot work pay $12,000–$25,000+. Vancouver roofers pay 10–20% above BC average.
How much does plumber insurance cost in BC?
Plumber insurance in BC ranges from $1,400 to $26,000+ per year depending on revenue and work type. Solo residential plumbers pay $1,400–$3,500, while large commercial/sewer firms pay $10,000–$26,000+.
How much is contractor insurance in BC?
Contractor insurance in British Columbia typically costs $1,200 to $25,000+ per year depending on your trade, annual revenue, and claims history.
How much does business insurance cost in BC?
Business insurance in BC typically ranges from $500 to $30,000+ per year depending on your industry, revenue, number of employees, and claims history.
What types of business insurance do I need in BC?
Most BC businesses need Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance at a minimum. Depending on your industry, you may also need professional liability, commercial property, commercial auto, and WorkSafeBC coverage.
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