Accident Benefits
Dependant Care Benefit: Help at home if you're sidelined by injury.
3 minute read
Juggling work, life and caregiving responsibilities can be challenging at the best of times, let alone when you’re recovering from injury. The Dependant Care Benefit is an optional coverage designed to help with caregiving costs if you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident and cannot look after your dependants as you normally would.
It is similar to the Caregiver Benefit, but with an important distinction: the Dependant Care Benefit is for people who are employed and need help covering extra caregiving costs, while the Caregiver Benefit applies to people who were primary caregivers and not employed at the time of the motor vehicle accident. Choosing the right option depends on your role at home and at work.
Coverage At a Glance:
Who is eligible: You must be employed at the time of the motor vehicle accident and responsible for dependants (e.g., children, elderly parents, or dependant adults).
Benefit: Reimburses reasonable and necessary expenses for someone else to care for your dependants while you recover.
Coverage Limits Available: 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.
How Coverage Works
Ontario auto insurance categorizes injuries as minor, non-catastrophic or catastrophic. Here’s how the Dependant Care Benefit would apply in each case.
Minor Injuries
If you suffer a minor injury, such as an ankle sprain, it’s likely you’ll still be able to manage your caregiving responsibilities. In these cases, this benefit generally does not apply.
Non-Catastrophic Injuries
More serious injuries like broken bones or a concussion can interrupt your ability to care for dependants day-to-day. If you’ve purchased this optional benefit, it can help cover the cost of arranging additional support.
For example, if you’re a working adult who normally assists elderly family members and you suffer a fractured pelvis in a motor vehicle accident, this benefit could provide up to $150 per week to help pay for a professional caregiver to take over those responsibilities while you recover.
Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries may create long-term limitations. For example, if you’re a working parent and you’re left paralyzed after a serious motor vehicle accident, the Dependant Care Benefit could provide up to $150 per week to help with your childcare. A specialized caregiver can help with household tasks, such as cleaning and cooking for your children.
Helping You Maintain Stability at Home
The Dependant Care Benefit helps keep your household routines on track while you focus on your recovery. If you’re employed and responsible for dependants, adding this optional coverage can give you confidence that your support system will remain strong, even when you’re sidelined by an injury.
Visit our other blogs here or browse the site to learn more about accident benefits including our needs assessment tool that can help you decide what coverages you might need.
This content is intended to provide general information only and is not intended to provide legal or professional advice, or to be relied on in any dispute, claim, action, demand or proceeding. CAA Insurance Company does not accept liability for any damage or injury resulting from reliance on this information.