Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario is changing auto insurance to give you more flexibility and control over your coverage.
Before you begin
If you have a private or workplace benefits plan, you may already have coverage for some of the following benefits. Before making changes to the optional benefits on your auto insurance policy, review your existing workplace or private plan or speak with your benefits advisor to confirm that you have appropriate coverage.
Self-assessment checklist: do you need optional accident benefits?
How to use the self-assessment checklist:
- Read each set of questions carefully
- Tick the box if your answer is “yes” for you or others covered under your policy. Leave it blank if your answer is “no”
- If you check one or more boxes in a section, the benefit described may be worth considering
- Speak to your insurer, agent or broker to review your coverage and learn more about your options
1. Income replacement benefit
What it covers: Helps replace income you or another covered person may lose because of an auto accident.
2. Non-earner benefit
What it covers: If you or another covered person is a student or unemployed and an auto accident keeps you from leading a normal life, this benefit can provide financial support while you recover.
3. Caregiver benefit
What it covers: Helps cover caregiving expenses if you or another covered person is injured in an auto accident and can no longer provide care for a household member such as a child or aging parent, who needs it.
4. Lost educational expenses
What it covers: If an auto accident keeps you or another covered person from attending school or an education program, this benefit can help cover the costs you have lost.
5. Expenses of visitors benefit
What it covers: Helps cover reasonable and necessary expenses of visitors, such as a sibling or parents, if you or another covered person is injured in an auto accident.
6. Housekeeping and home maintenance benefit
What it covers: Helps cover costs if you or another covered person is unable to perform the housekeeping and home maintenance tasks normally done before an auto accident.
7. Damage to personal items benefit
What it covers: Helps cover the cost to repair or replace personal items (e.g., clothing, prescription eyewear, hearing aids, etc.) damaged in an auto accident.
8. Death benefit
What it covers: Compensates some family members if you or another covered person die due to an auto accident.
9. Funeral benefit
What it covers: Helps cover some funeral costs if you or another covered person die due to an auto accident.
10. Supplementary medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits
What it covers: Helps cover expenses for medical benefits beyond the standard limits.
11. Dependant care benefit
What it covers: Helps cover reasonable and necessary additional expenses associated with caring for dependants such as a child, spouse, or aging parent.
12. Indexation benefit
What it covers: Helps to ensure that certain weekly payments and monetary limits are adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost of living.
If you checked one or more boxes, speak with us about your coverage.
Call: 519-631-2782
Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer
The descriptions of the statutory accident benefits in this document is a summary of the statutory accident benefits in Ontario Regulation 34/10 (the “SABS”). Do not rely on this summary alone. For full details, refer to the SABS or speak with your insurer, agent, or broker.