Ontario Auto Insurance Reform: What This Means for You
Starting July 1, 2026, auto insurance in Ontario is changing to allow for more flexibility in your insurance coverage. The new system makes fewer accident benefits mandatory and allows you to customize more of your coverage, so you can choose what best fits your needs and lifestyle.
What’s changing?
Some accident benefits will remain mandatory, while others will become optional. This gives you greater control over your policy and how much coverage you carry.
Accident benefits under the new structure
The following benefits will continue to be included automatically with your policy:
- Medical and rehabilitation benefits
- Attendant care benefits
You’ll now have the option to choose from the following benefits based on your personal situation:
- Income replacement;
- Non-earner;
- Caregiver benefits;
- Lost educational expenses;
- Housekeeping and home maintenance;
- Expenses of visitors;
- Death benefits;
- Funeral benefits;
- Coverage for damage to personal items;
- Supplementary Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care benefits;
- Dependant Care benefits;
- Indexation benefits.
Who is covered by optional accident benefits?
As of July 1, 2026, optional accident benefits will apply only to:
- The named insured
- The named insured’s spouse
- Dependants of the named insured and of the named insured’s spouse
- Persons specified in the policy as drivers of the insured 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 accident benefits.
What this means for you
If you’re currently insured with us
Your policy will renew automatically with your current coverages and limits. If you’d like to change any benefits that will become optional, simply contact us before your renewal date. Our team is happy to review your options and help you make choices that align with your needs.
Please note: coverage for who is eligible for optional benefits will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of when your policy renews.
If you’re buying auto insurance on or after July 1, 2026
When you purchase your policy, you’ll be able to select the optional benefits you want to include right from the start, putting you in control of your coverage.
Notes
The descriptions of the statutory accident benefits in this document are a summary of the statutory accident benefits in Ontario Regulation 34/10 (the “SABS”). Do not rely on this summary alone. For more details, contact us.
Certain conditions, exclusions and limitations may apply.
The terms and conditions of the coverages described are set out in the insurance policy, which always prevails.