2026 AUTO REFORM: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
What’s changing?
Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario drivers will have more choice and control over their coverage. While certain essential benefits will remain mandatory, many others will be optional and can be selected or removed when purchasing or renewing your policy.
If you’re an existing customer, your policy will renew with the same coverage and limits, unless you agree with your insurer in writing to decline the benefits or make changes to them. However, who is covered under your policy for newly optional benefits will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of renewal effective date. Before making changes, check if your personal or work benefits already provide similar coverage.
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.
Who is covered?
Although your current policy will renew with the same coverage and limits, who is covered under your policy for these nine newly optional accident benefits will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of renewal effective date.
Optional accident benefits 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
If your life situation changes during your policy term, such as retirement, a change in employment, or adjustments to your workplace benefits, please contact our office. These changes may affect which options and benefits are most appropriate for your needs.
Essential accident benefits coverage remains
Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits will continue to be included in all auto insurance policies. These benefits are available regardless of who caused the accident. 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.
Optional Benefits Overview
The following auto insurance accident benefits are now optional. You can add or remove them from your policy for yourself or other covered individuals, based on your needs.
| Optional Benefits | What it Covers | Coverage Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Income Replacement | Helps replace income you or another covered person may lose because of an auto accident. | $400/week, $600/week, $800/week, $1,000/week |
| 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. | $185/week |
| 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. | $250/$50 |
| Lost Educational Expenses | If an auto accident keeps you or another covered person from attending school or an education program, this benefit can help cover the costs you have lost. | $15,000 |
| 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. | Reimbursement of Reasonable and Necessary expenses |
| Housekeeping & 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. | $100/week |
| Damage to Personal Items | Helps cover the cost to repair or replace personal damaged items in an auto accident. | Reimbursement Costs for Repair or Replacement of eligible items |
| Death Benefits | Compensates some family members if you or another covered person dies due to an auto accident. | $25,000/$10,000, $50,000/$20,000 |
| Funeral Benefits | Helps cover some funeral costs if you or another covered person dies due to an auto accident. | $6,000, $8,000 |
If you have any questions please click the button below to contact our office