Lack of winter tires won’t void coverage, but it may determine degree of fault: ICBC

Winter tires are not mandatory in B.C., nor do they affect an insured’s insurance coverage or eligibility to make a claim, but ICBC still recommends their use.
Driving without winter tires will not void your insurance in the event of a claim, nor does it mean you will be automatically at-fault for a crash, ICBC said in a release.
But if a driver is involved in a crash in which winter tires could have helped, it may be a deciding factor in determining whether or how much he or she is at fault.
ICBC has issued a reminder to drivers that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure can designate winter tires are required on certain roads and highways, particularly during the fall and winter months in Northern B.C. and the Southern Interior.
“If you are driving on these roads without winter tires, police can ticket you and make you turn back.”