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Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario is making auto insurance accident benefits more flexible. Some accident benefits that were previously included in every auto insurance policy will become optional, giving you more choice to select coverage that fits your needs.

Auto insurance accident benefits provide financial support if you're injured in a car accident, regardless of fault covering medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost income.

What's staying the same?

Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits will continue to be included in every auto insurance policy in Ontario. These benefits will help cover the cost of treatment, recovery and personal care if you’re injured in an auto accident.

The following auto insurance accident benefits will become optional:

Helps replace income you or another covered person may lose because of an auto accident.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Helps cover the cost to repair or replace personal items (e.g., clothing, prescription eyewear, hearing aids, etc.) damaged in an auto accident.

Compensates some family members if you or another covered person die due to an auto accident.

Helps cover some funeral costs if you or another covered person die due to an auto accident.

Supplementary medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits, dependant care benefits, and indexation will continue to be optional.

An important change to who is covered

Starting July 1, 2026, optional accident benefits under your policy will only cover the following individuals:

  • The named insured
  • The spouse of the named insured
  • Dependants of the named insured and of the named insured’s spouse
  • Persons specified in the policy as drivers of the automobile

This means certain passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists who may have been covered under your optional benefits in the past will no longer be eligible. Standard auto insurance accident benefits will still apply to all passengers.

Auto insurance working harder for you

Auto insurance will pay first for medical or rehabilitation benefits (except for medication costs) for any injury sustained in an auto accident. This means a workplace or private health plan stays intact for other life events, exactly when you need them most.

What this means for you

If you're an existing customer

Your policy will renew with your current accident benefits coverage and limits, unless you agree with your insurer to decline the benefits or make changes to them. However, who is covered under your policy for newly optional benefits will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of renewal effective date.

If you’re a new customer

Customers who are purchasing a policy on or after July 1, 2026, can choose which optional accident benefits they would like to purchase. Talk to your broker about which benefits are included and which you may want to add based on your needs.

What steps should I take before my renewal?

If you’re an existing customer, we advise that you review your current coverage

Remember you will keep the same accident benefits you have today unless you want to change them.

Review your workplace or private benefits plan

You may have coverage through your workplace, private benefits plan, or life and health insurance providers.

If you are thinking about making a change to your accident benefits

Consider which newly optional accident benefits are right for you.

Consider which coverage is right for you

Speak with your broker and they can help explain your options before you make any changes.

Want to learn more?

Use the links below for a self-assessment checklist, fact sheet, and question and answer.

Checklist
Q&A