Last updated 2026-04-02
Cash settlement requirements and approvals
Requirements for cash settling a vehicle claim.
Vehicle eligibility requirements
A vehicle with damage to occupant safety supplemental restraint system (SRS) components does not qualify for cash settlement. Any other damage may be eligible for cash settlement.
Exception: ICBC does not consider a cash settlement allowance on a repair panel where a previous cash settlement or repair allowance has been applied.
All cash settlement requests are subject to defined approval levels based on eligibility and settlement amount. Customers can request the cash settlement option in certain situations requiring approval, such as
- accepting minimal damage to the vehicle
- repairing the vehicle themselves, or
- having the vehicle repaired privately.
Important: The cash settlement is at the discretion of ICBC.
Approval requirements
Before a cash settlement can be approved, the estimator determines
- whether the damage involves occupant safety SRS components
- whether the claim or estimate is not on hold
- the loss type, and
- whether the vehicle is a driveable total loss.
The approval process differs for driveable total loss cash settlements. For guidance on applying these rules to a specific request, refer to Cash settle a driveable total loss.
Approval and rejection outcomes
Cash settlement approval and rejection depends on vehicle eligibility requirements and on the settlement amount.
| If the vehicle | When the settlement is ... | Then the outcome is ... |
|---|---|---|
| meets requirements | less than $5,000, and does not involve
|
estimator approves. |
between $5,000 and $14,999 or is
|
estimating services manager approves. | |
| greater than $15,000 | operational estimating services manager approves. | |
| does not meet requirements | -- | estimator rejects the cash settlement request. |
Documenting decisions
The reviewer records the decision in a claim note, including
- whether the decision was approved or rejected, and
- the reason for the decision.
Note: The approval process differs for commercial vehicles. For guidance on the approval process for commercial vehicles, refer to Approve commercial vehicle cash settlement.