Editor: Re: 鈥淚nsurance rules vary,鈥� (The Times, March 9).

Thank you for the opportunity to explain why you can insure a vehicle even if you don鈥檛 hold a driver鈥檚 licence.

This is an option for a variety of reasons. For example, some people choose not to drive or are physically unable to do so, but still retain the right to purchase and insure a vehicle even though they are unable to drive it.

Consider those who have recently been diagnosed with a major illness which means they temporarily, at least, cannot drive.

Often, in such cases, a friend or family member will drive the vehicle for them with the insurer as a passenger. There may even be a few fabulously wealthy people around the province who may even be rich enough to afford a chauffeur.

Of course, it is against the law and in breach of your insurance to get behind the vehicle without an active driver鈥檚 licence.

Kellee Irwin,

vice-president, personal insurance,

ICBC