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10 minute read Published on Jun 22, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
Accident benefits are part of Ontario’s auto insurance system and provide support if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, regardless of fault. These benefits may be available to drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists involved in a collision.
All standard Ontario auto insurance policies include basic accident benefits. However, the type and amount of coverage can vary depending on your policy and any optional benefits purchased. Based on eligibility and coverage selection, accident benefits may help cover expenses such as medical care, rehabilitation, income replacement and certain attendant care or caregiving needs.
Motor vehicle collisions remain a significant concern. According to Transport Canada, Canada reported 118,838 injuries and 1,964 fatalities related to motor vehicle crashes in 2023, with tens of thousands of people involved in injury-related collisions in Ontario each year.
Accident benefits are intended to provide timely financial and medical support after a crash, helping to reduce the immediate impact of an injury. Because coverage limits and options vary, it’s important to review your policy to understand what is included and whether additional protection is available.
Ontario has introduced updates to accident benefits regulations that may affect eligibility, benefit limits, and timelines for filing or disputing claims. To help you navigate what’s changed and how it impacts you, keep reading to find out more:
Effective July 1, 2026, Ontario has introduced changes to the auto insurance system to provide drivers with more flexibility in how they choose their coverage.
As part of the 2026 Ontario Auto Reform, several accident benefits that were once included in standard auto policies are now optional and can be purchased based on individual needs. These include:
Income replacement benefit
Non-earner benefit
Caregiver benefit
Housekeeping and home maintenance benefit
Death and funeral benefits
Expenses of visitors benefit
Damage to personal items benefit
The following accident benefits remain mandatory and included in all standard Ontario auto insurance policies:
Medical benefits
Rehabilitation benefits
Attendant care benefits
These changes give drivers greater control over their coverage and premiums. However, because certain protections are no longer automatically included, it is important to carefully review your policy and consider whether additional optional benefits may be appropriate for your situation. To learn more, visit BrokerLink’s Ontario Auto Reform webpage.
As of July 1, 2026, optional accident benefits on your auto policy will only apply to:
The named insured
The named insured’s spouse
Dependants of the named insured or their spouse
Individuals listed as drivers on the policy
Understanding who is covered under optional accident benefits is important, particularly for households with multiple drivers or family members who may rely on the policy for coverage.
The following accident benefits coverage is mandatory in Ontario:
While OHIP covers emergency care and some treatments, many ongoing rehabilitation may not be fully covered. Mandatory accident benefits may help pay for expenses such as:
Physiotherapy
Chiropractic care
Psychological counselling
Medications
Mobility devices
Standard coverage limits in Ontario may include:
Up to $65,000 combined for medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits for non-catastrophic injuries
Up to $1 million combined for catastrophic injuries
Optional coverage may be available to increase these combined limits to $130,000 for non-catastrophic injuries and $2 million for catastrophic injuries.
If your injuries require assistance with daily living activities such as dressing, bathing or eating, attendant care benefits may help cover the cost of support services provided at home or in a care facility.
This benefit is usually combined with medical and rehabilitation benefits and shares the same overall coverage limits. Additional optional coverage may be purchased to increase these limits, depending on your needs.
As of July 1, 2026, several accident benefits in Ontario are optional and may be purchased based on your coverage needs. These benefits are not included in all standard policies and are subject to eligibility requirements, limits, and insurer-specific terms. Here are your options:
If you are the primary caregiver in your household and are unable to provide care due to injuries from a motor vehicle accident, caregiver benefits may help cover the cost of replacement care. Eligibility and availability of caregiver benefits depend on the coverage selected in your policy.
If you are unable to work as a result of an accident, income replacement benefits may provide financial support based on a portion of your pre-accident income.
Income replacement benefits are generally subject to a one-week waiting period, meaning no payment is provided for the first seven days following the accident. Once your insurer receives the required completed application forms (such as OCF-1, OCF-2, and OCF-3), payments are typically issued within legislated timelines and may be provided on a recurring basis (for example, bi-weekly), depending on the insurer.
If you do not qualify for income replacement benefits, for example, if you are unemployed, a senior, a student or not earning income at the time of the accident, you may be eligible for non-earner benefits.
Non-earner benefits are intended to support individuals who experience a substantial inability to carry on their normal daily activities as a result of the accident.
If you are unable to manage household tasks due to injuries from a motor vehicle accident, housekeeping and home maintenance benefits may help cover the cost of services such as cleaning or basic home upkeep.
If you are hospitalized or recovering from serious injuries, optional accident benefits may help cover certain visitor expenses. This may include reasonable travel and accommodation costs for eligible visitors, such as spouses, children, parents, grandparents, siblings and grandchildren.
If an accident interrupts your studies, optional accident benefits may help cover education-related costs. Depending on your policy, this benefit may help cover some of your lost education costs such as tuition and books.
This benefit may help cover the repair or replacement of personal items damaged in an accident. This may include items such as clothing, eyeglasses and medical devices like hearing aids or prosthetics.
In the event of a fatal accident, optional death and funeral benefits may provide financial support to eligible family members to help with expenses and immediate financial needs. Coverage amounts and eligibility are determined by the policy terms and any optional benefits selected.
If you were employed at the time of the accident and are responsible for dependants, the dependant care benefit may help cover additional care expenses if you are unable to provide that care due to your injuries. Eligibility, coverage amounts and payment structure depend on your policy and the optional benefits selected.
Indexation is an optional feature that may be added to certain accident benefits to help account for inflation over time. If included in your policy, eligible benefit amounts may be adjusted annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), in accordance with policy terms and applicable regulations.
Speaking with an insurance advisor can help you determine which optional accident benefits may be appropriate for your needs, budget and household circumstances. While coverage choices and limits vary by policy, accident benefits are designed to provide support following an injury from a motor vehicle accident. For a more detailed explanation of accident benefits coverage in Ontario, refer to the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS).
After a motor vehicle accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Along with addressing your injuries, there are forms to complete and steps to follow. Understanding how the accident benefits process works can help you know what to expect:
Your health and safety come first. Call 911 if needed and seek immediate medical attention. Even if you feel fine, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider, as some injuries (like whiplash or soft-tissue injuries) may not appear right away.
You should contact your insurance company right after the accident. In most cases, accidents must be reported within seven days, or as soon as possible if you are unable to do so right away.
Your insurer will provide you with an Accident Benefits Application Package. This includes forms to complete to apply for benefits.
To receive accident benefits, you’ll need to complete a set of forms often referred to as “OCF forms.” OCF stands for Ontario Claims Form — these are standard documents used across Ontario to apply for accident benefits. Common forms include:
OCF-1 (Application for Accident Benefits): Your main application form
OCF-2 (Employer’s Confirmation of Income): Required if you are applying for income replacement benefits
OCF-3 (Disability Certificate): Completed by a healthcare provider to confirm your injuries
OCF-5 (Permission to Disclose Health Information): Allows your insurer to review relevant medical information to assess your claim
You typically have 30 days to submit completed forms after receiving the package. Submitting them on time can help avoid delays in your claim.
If your claim is approved, eligible accident benefits may begin once your insurer has received the required information and documentation.
For example, income replacement benefits are generally subject to a one-week waiting period. Payment timing and frequency can vary, but benefits are typically issued on a recurring basis (such as bi-weekly), depending on your insurer and claim details.
Medical and rehabilitation expenses may be paid directly to approved healthcare providers or reimbursed, depending on the treatment plan and policy terms.
Your claim may require ongoing updates. This can include medical progress reports or additional documentation to confirm your continued eligibility for benefits.
In some cases, your insurer may arrange independent medical assessments to better understand your injuries and recovery needs. Staying in regular contact and responding to requests promptly can help keep your claim moving forward.
In some cases, an accident benefits claim, or a specific benefit such as medical treatment or income replacement, may not be approved. If this happens, it’s important to understand that you may have options to review or dispute the decision. Here are some steps you can consider:
Request an explanation: Your insurer is required to provide written reasons for denying your claim or benefit. Reviewing this information can help you understand the decision.
Provide additional information: You may be able to submit new medical evidence or supporting documents for reconsideration, depending on your situation.
Dispute the decision: You can apply to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an independent body in Ontario that resolves disputes between individuals and insurance companies related to accident benefits.
You may also wish to speak with a lawyer or licensed insurance professional to better understand your rights, options and next steps. Timelines and processes apply, so it’s important to act promptly if you intend to challenge a decision.
To legally drive in Ontario, your auto insurance policy needs to include a few key coverages. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), mandatory coverage in Ontario includes third-party liability, accident benefits and uninsured automobile coverage. Now that you’ve got a better handle on accident benefits coverage, let’s review the other types of coverage that are required in Ontario:
Third-party liability coverage provides legal protection if you accidentally injure someone else or damage someone’s property while driving. It may help cover costs such as medical bills, vehicle repairs and legal fees or settlement costs, up to your coverage limit.
In Ontario, drivers are required to carry at least $200,000 in third-party liability coverage, but many choose higher limits (like $1 million or $2 million) for additional protection, especially since claims and legal costs can be significant.
This coverage is there to protect you if you’re involved in a collision with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, doesn’t have enough coverage, or in cases such as hit-and-runs.
With uninsured automobile coverage, you and your passengers may be eligible for compensation for certain injuries or damage, even if the at-fault driver is unable to pay.
Insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you're raising a family, freelancing or enjoying retirement, customizing your coverage to match your lifestyle is essential, and that’s where a broker can help. Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your auto insurance:
If you're a parent, remote worker or high-mileage driver, you may want to consider higher limits for coverage such as optional accident benefits (including income-replacement, supplementary medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care) or collision coverage. These options can make a difference when unexpected events happen. You may also consider adding comprehensive coverage to help protect against risks like theft, hail or vandalism.
With indexation benefits, certain accident benefit limits (such as medical expenses and the optional income replacement benefits) may be adjusted over time to reflect inflation.
Ontario drivers continue to face some of the highest average premiums in Canada. According to the FSRA, as of October 2025, the average annual premium in Ontario was approximately $2,164. With premiums influenced by rising claims costs, what worked last year may not reflect your current needs.
Reviewing your policy each year can help ensure your coverage continues to align with your situation and budget.
Finding the right auto insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. With so many coverage options and details to consider, working with a broker like BrokerLink can help make the process easier to navigate.
Think of your broker as a knowledgeable guide who takes the time to understand your situation and helps you explore coverage options that suit your needs. Rather than offering products from just one insurer, brokers compare options from multiple companies, so you can review a range of coverage choices and price points. They’ll also walk you through policy limits, optional add-ons and available benefits — so you can feel informed and confident in your decisions.
Contact BrokerLink to learn more about accident benefits coverage in Ontario. You can also visit our dedicated Ontario Auto Reform page at BrokerLink.ca/OAR for more information. Our insurance advisors can help you understand your options and choose coverage that aligns with your needs. You can reach out by phone, email or by completing an online auto insurance quote to get started.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for general guidance only and should not be considered legal, financial or insurance advice. Coverage options, limits and eligibility can vary depending on your policy and insurer. All insurance products are subject to policy terms, conditions, exclusions and applicable regulations, including the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS). To better understand your options, it’s recommended to speak with a licensed insurance professional or broker.
