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Statutory accident benefits are changing in Ontario
Every Ontario auto insurance policy includes standard statutory accident benefits (SABs) that may provide financial support if you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident, regardless of who caused it. Prior to July 1, 2026 these benefits cover things like medical treatment, rehabilitation, and income if you can’t work because of your injuries.
On July 1, 2026, some benefits that used to be included in every policy will become optional, giving you the choice to opt in or opt out. Because you’ll have more control over your benefits, it’s important to make an informed decision that meets your needs. Standard benefits that are in place prior to July 1st, 2026 will remain in place until you decide you want to change your policy.
Which benefits are staying the same?
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Standard medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits will continue to be included in all auto insurance policies. These benefits help cover essential recovery support after an accident.
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You’ll still have the option to add or increase your coverage in these categories, such as adding supplementary medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care, dependent care, and indexation benefits.
Which benefits are becoming optional?
The benefits listed below will become optional endorsements or “add-ons”, and you’ll have to choose whether to include them or not. Standard benefits that are in place prior to July 1st, 2026 will remain in place until you decide you want to change your policy.
If you or another covered person is unable to work because of an auto accident, this benefit helps replace your income.
Do I need this coverage?
Consider this coverage if:
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You or another covered person rely on your employment income to support yourself or others
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You or another covered person wouldn’t get disability benefits through your employer, benefits or private disability insurance if you were injured
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.
Do I need this coverage?
Consider this coverage if:
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You or another covered person is a student, unemployed, or retired
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An injury would affect you or another covered person’s ability to live independently or pursue education
If you or another covered person is a caregiver for a member of your household and can no longer provide care due to an auto accident, this benefit helps cover the cost of hiring replacement help.
Do I need this coverage?
Consider this coverage if:
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You or another covered person is the the primary caregiver for children, aging parents, or disabled family members
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You or another covered person is a single parent
If a motor vehicle accident keeps you or another covered person from attending school or an education program, this benefit can help cover your lost incurred costs.
Do I need this coverage?
Consider this coverage if:
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You or another covered person are a full- or part-time student
This benefit helps cover reasonable and necessary expenses of visitors, such as a sibling or parents, if you or another covered person is injured in a motor vehicle accident.
Do I need this coverage?
Consider this coverage if:
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Your family members live far away
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Your family would need to visit you or another covered person if you were seriously injured
If you or another covered person is unable to do housekeeping and maintenance tasks normally done before an auto accident, this benefit helps cover costs.
Do I need this coverage?
Consider this coverage if:
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You or another covered person would need to hire someone to take over housekeeping duties if you were injured
This benefit helps cover the cost to repair or replace personal items (e.g., clothing, prescription eyewear, hearing aids, etc.) damaged in a motor vehicle accident.
Do I need this coverage?
Consider this coverage if:
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You or another covered person regularly carry valuable items like glasses, hearing aids, or mobility devices
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Replacing these items would be costly if they were damaged in an accident
This benefit provides a payment to some family members if you or another covered person dies due to an auto accident.
Do I need this coverage?
Consider this coverage if:
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Your family would need financial support to cover ongoing expenses if you or another covered person passed away in a motor vehicle accident
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You or another covered person lack life insurance or other coverage for funeral expenses
This benefit helps cover some funeral costs if you or another covered person dies due to a motor vehicle accident.
Do I need this coverage?
Consider this coverage if:
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Your family would struggle to cover funeral or burial expenses
Who will be covered by optional accident benefits?
Starting July 1, 2026, the newly optional benefits in your auto policy will only apply to:
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The named insured(s)
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The spouse of the named insured(s)
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Dependents of the named insured(s) and of their spouse
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Listed drivers specified in the policy
This means that some people, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and certain passengers who may have been covered in the past may no longer be eligible for optional accident benefits.
What do these changes mean for you?
Your policy will renew automatically with your current coverage and limits, unless you instruct your insurer in writing to decline or change them.
However, who is covered under your policy for newly optional benefits will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of renewal effective date. You can review and update your coverage based on the needs of all covered persons. Before making changes, check if your personal or work benefits already provide similar coverage.
Customers who purchase a new policy on or after July 1, 2026, can choose which optional accident benefits they would like to purchase. Ask your insurance representative which benefits are included in your quote. You may want to add optional benefits to your policy based on ythe needs of all covered persons.
What steps should I take?
The content on this page is for information purposes only. The descriptions of the statutory accident benefits on this page are 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 insurance representative.