After July 1, 2026, most accident benefits in Ontario became optional, except for medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits, which remain mandatory according to FSRA’s most recent update.
In practice, what this means is that you decide now what coverage to add to your policy. That’s good if you know what to keep, and risky if you don’t. The most common thing we’re seeing drivers get wrong is assuming their coverage is the same as it always was, even though an upcoming renewal might leave them with a coverage gap.
This guide won’t just list the benefits. It’ll help you decide what to keep based on your situation. If you want to learn more about the reform, read our review of the reform and what you should keep an eye on.
What Are Accident Benefits?
Accident benefits provide monetary compensation if you, passengers, or pedestrians are injured in a car accident. This coverage applies regardless of who caused the accident and can cover medical expenses, lost income, and other accident-related costs. Only medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits remain mandatory in Ontario as part of the minimum auto insurance requirements.
What Accident Benefits Are Mandatory in Ontario?
For new Ontario auto policies entered into on or after July 1, 2026, only standard medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits remain mandatory. The standard combined limit is $65,000 for non-catastrophic impairments and $1 million for catastrophic impairments. Qualifying minor injuries are generally subject to a separate $3,500 treatment limit. Drivers can purchase higher limits for medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care.
What Accident Benefits Are Optional
The two charts below distinguish the benefits that became optional on July 1, 2026, from benefits that were already optional before the reform.
Became optional on July 1, 2026:
| Optional benefit | What it does | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|---|
| Income replacement | Pays weekly benefits if an accident injury stops you from working | You rely on your paycheque and don’t have strong disability coverage elsewhere |
| Non-earner benefit | Pays a weekly benefit if you weren’t employed at the time of the accident and your injuries seriously limit your normal life | You’re a student, retiree, unemployed, or between jobs |
| Caregiver benefit | Helps pay a replacement caregiver if you were the primary caregiver for a dependant and can’t provide that care after an injury | You’re the primary caregiver for a child, parent, or other dependant |
| Housekeeping & home maintenance | Covers housekeeping and home maintenance services you can’t perform while recovering | You manage most household chores and maintenance yourself |
| Lost educational expenses | Reimburses tuition, books, and related expenses if an injury prevents you or a listed dependant from completing a school term | You or a listed dependant is attending school and paying tuition |
| Expenses of visitors | Covers reasonable costs for family members or close relatives to visit you during recovery | Family members would likely travel to support you during recovery |
| Damage to personal items | Repairs or replaces personal belongings damaged in a collision, such as clothing, eyeglasses, or hearing aids | You wear glasses, hearing aids, or want protection for belongings damaged in a collision |
| Death benefit | Pays a lump sum to eligible survivors and your family | Others depend on you financially |
| Funeral benefit | This will cover funeral expenses if death results from a car accident. | You want help covering funeral expenses |
Already Optional Before July 1, 2026:
| Optional benefit | What it does | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent care benefit | Helps cover additional childcare or dependent-care expenses caused by your injury | You have dependants and would face additional care costs if injured |
| Indexation Benefit | Increases certain benefit limits annually to help offset inflation | You want long-term benefits to maintain their purchasing power |
| Increased | Increases the combined coverage available for eligible treatment, rehabilitation and personal-care assistance above the mandatory limits. | The mandatory limit may be exhausted during a lengthy recovery. |
When you get a quote with MyChoice, we will automatically include all optional accident benefits at their minimum coverage limits. We strongly recommend keeping all the above coverages to ensure you have adequate protection. Consult with your broker or insurer before you make any changes to your coverage.
Who is Covered by Accident Benefits in Ontario?
In Ontario, accident benefits extend to the following individuals:
- The driver of the insured vehicle, even if they were at fault
- Passengers in the insured vehicle
- Injured pedestrians or cyclists
- Occupants of cars with no-fault insurance
In case of the driver’s death, their dependents may be eligible for financial benefits.
Passengers, pedestrians and cyclists are not automatically entitled to the optional benefits purchased under the vehicle owner’s policy. They may have access through their own policy or an eligible household policy.
What Happens if You Are at Fault?
Because Ontario enforces a no-fault accident system, causing a vehicular accident doesn’t directly impact your ability to receive compensation. However, you may receive reduced benefits.
Your insurance company can reduce your benefits depending on the degree of fault (from 1% to 99%). In addition, renewing your policy when you are at fault may increase your premiums as you’ll be considered a high-risk driver.
Read More: How to Make an Accident Claim & How to Report an Accident
What Are the Cases in Which I May Be Denied Coverage?
Under the following circumstances, your insurance company has the right to deny compensation, replacement and other benefits:
- You were driving without valid insurance.
- You don’t have a valid driver’s licence.
- You were driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
- You were driving the vehicle while committing a crime.
- You provide insufficient evidence, such as a lack of medical documentation and unclear accident details.
- You’ve intentionally provided false information about the accident and your injuries.
- You miss filing deadlines.