In the event of a death resulting from an accident, regardless of fault, Part VII provides for payment of certain benefits.
Regulation 91 provides for the payment of funeral expenses up to a maximum of $2,500. You need only show receipts to ICBC exceeding $2,500 and the entire amount will be paid.
Regulations 92 through 95 provide additional death benefits to the surviving family members. The amount of these benefits depends on the relationship of the deceased to the surviving family members. For example, the benefits are more if the person killed was the “head of household” as defined in Regulation 92.
For illustration purposes, if the head of the household dies leaving a spouse and 2 young children, the spouse would receive a lump sum payment of $5,000 plus $145/week for 104 weeks for a total payment of $15,080. Each of the children would receive a lump sum payment of $1,000 plus $35/week for 104 weeks for a total payment of $4,640 each. Any money payable to a child under age 19 is paid directly to the Public Guardian and Trustee.
It is common for ICBC to pay out the weekly payment amounts in a lump sum rather than pay them over the 104 weeks.
Please note that these Part VII death benefits will be deducted from your ICBC death claim so really they just amount to an advance on the claim. Also, in the event of a death, the family is usually entitled to CPP death benefits over top of any ICBC coverage. Therefore you should apply to CPP.
