With changes to Ontario auto insurance effective July 1, 2026, understanding how Accident Benefits protect you can help you make informed and confident coverage decisions.
If you're injured in a motor vehicle accident in Ontario, your auto insurance is there to support you with something called Accident Benefits, which provides financial and medical support – no matter who was at fault.
Explore this information site to learn what these benefits include, how they work and which coverage best fits your needs. It’s all about helping you feel confident and protected every time you get behind the wheel.
What are Accident Benefits?
Accident Benefits are coverages that ensure you have support if you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident.
These benefits can help with things like medical care, income replacement and more. Some benefits are built right into your automobile insurance policy, while others are available at an additional cost. You can choose the level of protection that feels right for you and your family.
Every accident is different and so is every injury. Auto insurance groups injuries into three categories, based on severity:
Minor injury:
Includes sprains, strains, bruises, cuts and other soft tissue injuries. These types of injuries are typically covered up to $3,500 under the Minor Injury Guideline.
Non-catastrophic injury:
Covers more serious injuries like broken bones, concussions, or psychological trauma. These injuries may qualify for up to $65,000 in combined medical and attendant care benefits, or even more if optional coverage has been added.
Catastrophic injury:
Covers life-altering injuries like paralysis or significant brain trauma. People in this category may be eligible for up to $1 million in benefits, or even more if optional coverage has been added. A formal medical assessment is required to confirm this classification.
The benefits you receive depend on what category your injury falls into.
Get to know your benefits by following the links below.
Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care Benefits
This helps pay for the care you need to recover after a motor vehicle accident. It covers medical care, diagnostic tests, ongoing therapy and even home or vehicle modifications.
Learn more
Income Replacement Benefit
Replaces part of your income if motor vehicle accident-related injuries prevent you from working.
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Non-Earner Benefit
Provides weekly payments if you do not have any employment income and your injuries prevent you from carrying out normal activities.
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Caregiver Benefit
Covers costs for someone to care for dependants if you are unable to due to an injury.
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Dependant Care Benefit
Coverage that helps employed individuals cover extra childcare or caregiving costs during recovery.
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Housekeeping and Home Maintenance Benefit
Helps to cover the costs of a service provider to carry out tasks like cleaning or yard work if injuries prevent you from doing them.
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Death Benefits and Funeral Benefits
Provides a lump sum payment to surviving family members and helps to cover the funeral costs of someone who passes away due to a motor vehicle accident.
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Other Benefits
Help to cover costs related to damaged personal items, lost educational expenses and visitor expenses. Can also ensure your benefits are indexed to inflation.
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Understanding the Right Coverage for You
You have more choice and control over your Accident Benefits. While certain essential benefits will continue to be included with your policy, all others will be optional and can be selected or removed starting July 1, 2026.
Mandatory Coverage
Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory. You can purchase additional coverage for added protection and financial security.
Benefit Type | Benefit (included with every policy) | Additional coverage (available at added cost) |
|---|---|---|
Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care | Up to $3,500 for minor injuries; $65,000 for non-catastrophic injuries (shared with Attendant Care); and $1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries | Increase non-catastrophic coverage to $130,000 or $1,000,000; or catastrophic coverage to $1,000,000 |
Benefit Type
Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care
Benefit (included with every policy)
Up to $3,500 for minor injuries; $65,000 for non-catastrophic injuries (shared with Attendant Care); and $1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries
Additional coverage (available at added cost)
Increase non-catastrophic coverage to $130,000 or $1,000,000; or catastrophic coverage to $1,000,000
Optional Benefits You Can Choose to Add
The following Accident Benefits are optional as of July 1, 2026, so you can choose to remove or add them to your policy, depending on your needs.
Benefit Type | Optional Benefit | Additional coverage (available at added cost) |
|---|---|---|
Income Replacement | 70% of gross income up to the coverage limit selected. Payments start after a seven-day waiting period. | Choice of a weekly limit of $400, $600, $800, or $1,000 |
Caregiver | $250 per week for the first dependant, plus $50 per week for each additional dependant. | Not applicable |
Housekeeping and Home Maintenance | Up to $100 per week for housekeeping and home maintenance services. | Available for non-catastrophic injuries |
Death | $25,000 to spouse, $10,000 per dependant | $50,000 to spouse, $20,000 per dependant |
Funeral | $6,000 | $8,000 |
Dependant Care | Will not exceed $75 per week for the first dependant and $25 per week for each additional dependant, with a maximum of $150 per week total for additional caregiving costs. | Not applicable |
Indexation (inflation protection) | Certain weekly benefit payments and monetary limits will be adjusted on an annual basis to reflect changes in the cost of living. | Not applicable |
Benefit Type
Income Replacement
Optional Benefit
70% of gross income up to the coverage limit selected. Payments start after a seven-day waiting period.
Additional coverage (available at added cost)
Choice of a weekly limit of $400, $600, $800, or $1,000
Benefit Type
Caregiver
Optional Benefit
$250 per week for the first dependant, plus $50 per week for each additional dependant.
Additional coverage (available at added cost)
Not applicable
Benefit Type
Housekeeping and Home Maintenance
Optional Benefit
Up to $100 per week for housekeeping and home maintenance services.
Additional coverage (available at added cost)
Available for non-catastrophic injuries
Benefit Type
Death
Optional Benefit
$25,000 to spouse, $10,000 per dependant
Additional coverage (available at added cost)
$50,000 to spouse, $20,000 per dependant
Benefit Type
Funeral
Optional Benefit
$6,000
Additional coverage (available at added cost)
$8,000
Benefit Type
Dependant Care
Optional Benefit
Will not exceed $75 per week for the first dependant and $25 per week for each additional dependant, with a maximum of $150 per week total for additional caregiving costs.
Additional coverage (available at added cost)
Not applicable
Benefit Type
Indexation (inflation protection)
Optional Benefit
Certain weekly benefit payments and monetary limits will be adjusted on an annual basis to reflect changes in the cost of living.
Additional coverage (available at added cost)
Not applicable
Take the auto reform needs assessment to find out what coverage you need.
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