More choice,
more control
Ontario's auto insurance reforms puts you in the driver's seat
Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario has made auto insurance 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.
What's staying the same?
Standard medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits will continue to be included in all auto insurance policies. They cover medical expenses, therapy, and personal care assistance for injuries from an accident, including doctor visits, physiotherapy, and help with daily activities like bathing and dressing.
You still have the option to purchase additional or increased benefits and coverages, such as:
- Supplementary medical, rehabilitation and attendant care: Helps cover expenses for medical benefits beyond the standard limits.
- Dependant care: Helps cover reasonable and necessary additional expenses associated with caring for dependants such as a child, spouse, or aging parent.
- Indexation benefits: Helps to ensure that certain weekly payments and monetary limits are adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost of living.
What’s changing?
The following auto insurance accident benefits will become optional:
Income replacement
Helps replace income you or another covered person may lose because of an auto accident.
Should I consider this coverage?
- Do you rely on your employment income to support yourself or others?
- If you were injured, would you not have access to disability benefits through your employer benefits or private disability insurance?
Non-earner
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.
Should I consider this coverage?
- Are you a student, unemployed, or retired?
- Would an injury affect your ability to live independently or pursue education?
Caregiver benefits
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.
Should I consider this coverage?
- Are you the primary caregiver for children, aging parents, or disabled family members?
- Are you a single parent?
Expenses of visitors
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.
Should I consider this coverage?
- Do your family members live far away?
- Would your family need to visit you if you were seriously injured?
Housekeeping and home maintenance
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.
Should I consider this coverage?
- Would you need to hire someone to take over housekeeping duties if you were injured?
Damage to personal items
Helps cover the cost to repair or replace personal items (e.g., clothing, prescription eyewear, hearing aids, etc.) damaged in an auto accident.
Should I consider this coverage?
- Do you regularly carry valuable items such as glasses, hearing aids, or mobility devices?
- Would replacing these items be costly if damaged in an accident?
Death benefits
Compensates some family members if you or another covered person dies due to an auto accident.
Should I consider this coverage?
- Would your family need financial support to cover ongoing expenses if you passed away in an auto accident?
- Do you lack life insurance or other coverage for funeral expenses?
Who is covered?
Starting July 1, 2026, the newly optional accident benefits under your auto policy will only apply to:
- 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 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 this means for you
If you’re an existing customer
Your policy will renew automatically with your current coverage and limits, unless you agree with your insurance representative in writing to decline the benefits or to make changes to them. However, who is covered under your policy for newly optional accident benefits will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of renewal effective date, as described in the list above. You can review and update your coverage based on your needs. Before making changes, check if your personal or work benefits already provide similar coverage. Please contact your insurer if you wish to make changes to your optional accident benefits.
If you’re a new or existing customer
Customers who are purchasing or renewing a 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 accident benefits to your policy based on your needs.
If you’re a commercial customer or employee
Speak to your insurance representative to learn more about how this change impacts you or your employees.
What steps should I take?
Steps to help you make informed decisions and choose the benefits that best fit your needs.
How everyday life situations may shape your
Accident Benefits coverage needs
Here are nine examples of life situations that show how auto insurance can be tailored to protect you better.
Speak with your insurance representative about your needs.
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If you’re a single parent
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If you’re a self-employed consultant
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If you’re a retired surviving spouse
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If you have a young family
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If you’re a tradesperson
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If you’re a university student
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If you’re a newcomer to Canada
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If you’re a delivery driver
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If you’re an office worker
Quick links
Statutory Accident Benefits Legislation (SABS)
Ontario Automobile Policy Owner's Policy (OAP-1)
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. Aviva and the Aviva logo are trademarks used under license from the licensor.