For new Ontario auto policies entered into on or after July 1, 2026, most accident benefits are optional. Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory under FSRA’s most recent update.
For policies renewed on or after July 1, 2026, previous benefits generally continue as optional benefits at their existing amounts unless the insured and insurer agree in writing to remove or change them.
Read More: Review the 2026 Ontario Accident Benefit Changes
What Are Accident Benefits?
Accident benefits may provide compensation if you, passengers or pedestrians are injured in a car accident. This coverage applies regardless of who caused the accident. Depending on the coverage purchased, it can cover medical expenses, lost income and other accident-related costs.
Only medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory under Ontario’s 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 generally have 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 | Who may consider it |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for 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 and 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 from completing a school term | You’re 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 an accident, such as clothing, eyeglasses or hearing aids | You wear glasses or hearing aids, or want protection for belongings damaged in an accident |
| Death benefit | Pays a lump sum to eligible family members | Others depend on you financially |
| Funeral benefit | Helps cover funeral expenses if death results from an automobile accident | You want help covering funeral expenses |
Sources: FSRA, IBC
Already Optional Before July 1, 2026
| Optional benefit | What it does | Who may consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Dependant care benefit | Helps cover additional childcare or dependant-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 medical, rehabilitation and attendant care | 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 automatically include all optional accident benefits at their minimum coverage limits. Consult with your broker or insurer before making changes to your coverage.
Who Is Covered by Accident Benefits in Ontario?
Accident benefits may extend to:
- The driver of the insured vehicle, even if they were at fault
- Passengers in the insured vehicle
- Injured pedestrians or cyclists
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 has a no-fault accident-benefits system, causing an accident doesn’t directly affect your ability to receive benefits. Accident benefits are not reduced according to your percentage of fault.
An at-fault accident may increase your premiums because you may be considered a high-risk driver.
Read More: How to Make an Accident Claim and How to Report an Accident
When May Certain Benefits Not Be Payable?
Certain benefits, including income replacement, non-earner, lost educational, visitor and housekeeping or home maintenance benefits, may not be payable in some circumstances.
Examples include when the driver:
- Knew or should have known that the vehicle was uninsured
- Did not have a valid driver’s licence
- Was an excluded driver under the insurance contract
- Knew or should have known that the vehicle was being operated without the owner’s consent
Certain benefits may also be restricted because of material misrepresentation, failure to disclose a material change in risk or a conviction for a specified criminal offence connected with the accident.
These restrictions do not automatically eliminate every accident benefit. Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits may still be available, depending on the circumstances and policy terms.