Effective July 1, 2026

Ontario Auto Insurance Is Changing.
Here's What You Need to Know.

New reforms give you more choice over your accident benefits coverage. Some benefits that were previously mandatory are becoming optional — putting you in control of the protection that fits your life.

What should I do?
Changes take effect July 1, 2026 — review your coverage before your next renewal.
Background

What Are Statutory Accident Benefits?

Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) provide financial support if you're injured in a car accident — regardless of who caused it. They can cover medical treatment, rehabilitation and lost income while you recover.

The Changes

What's Staying and What's Becoming Optional

Core medical benefits remain mandatory. Several other accident benefits are shifting from automatic to optional, giving you the flexibility to choose.

Still Included in Every Policy

Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits continue to be part of all Ontario auto insurance policies.

  • Standard medical & rehabilitation benefits
  • Attendant care benefits
  • Option to purchase supplementary medical, rehab & attendant care
  • Option to purchase dependant care & indexation benefits

Now Optional — You Choose

These benefits will no longer be automatically included. You can add any or all of them based on your needs.

Eligibility

Who Is Covered Under Optional Benefits?

Starting July 1, 2026, the newly optional benefits under your auto policy will apply only to the following individuals.

The named insured
Spouse of the named insured
Dependants of the named insured and their spouse
Persons specified in the policy as drivers
Note: Some individuals — such as pedestrians, cyclists and certain passengers — who may have been covered in the past may no longer be eligible for optional accident benefits under your policy.
Your Situation

What This Means for You

The impact depends on whether you're an existing policyholder, a new customer, or a commercial client.

Your policy will renew automatically with your current coverage and limits, unless you agree in writing with your insurer to decline or change benefits. However, who is covered under your policy for newly optional benefits will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of your renewal date. Review and update your coverage based on your needs, and check if your workplace or private benefits already provide similar protection.
Customers purchasing or renewing a policy on or after July 1, 2026 can choose which optional accident benefits they'd like to include. Ask your insurer, agent or broker which benefits are included in your quote and consider adding optional benefits based on your needs.
Speak to your insurer, agent or broker to learn more about how these changes impact you or your employees. Your broker can walk you through coverage options specific to commercial policies.
Take Action

What Steps Should You Take?

Four straightforward steps to make sure you're covered the way you want to be.

01

Review Your Current Coverage

Know what accident benefits you already have through your auto insurance policy today.

02

Check Your Workplace Benefits

Avoid duplication. You may already have coverage through your employer, private benefits plan, or life and health insurance.

03

Think About Your Needs

Consider which optional benefits are right for you and your household's unique circumstances.

04

Talk to Your Broker

Your insurance broker can explain your options and help you make an informed decision.

Have Questions About Your Coverage?

We're here to help you understand your options and make the right choice.

Contact us Call us: 1-800-565-8552 Download the fact sheet
Frequently Asked Questions

Got Questions? We've Got Answers.

Everything you need to know about the upcoming changes to Ontario's auto insurance accident benefits.

Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario is making changes to auto insurance to give drivers more choice and flexibility. Drivers will be able to choose benefits to fit their needs. Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits will remain mandatory to ensure everyone has access to essential recovery support. All other accident benefit coverages, such as income replacement, will become optional. Who is covered for these optional benefits under your policy will also change.
Every policyholder can add or remove optional accident benefits from their policy.
Some Ontarians already pay for benefits through their employer or private insurance plans. These reforms eliminate a one-size-fits-all approach, and consumers will no longer have to pay for benefits they may already have elsewhere or do not want to buy. Starting July 1, 2026, you can tailor your auto insurance to fit your personal situation. That means you will not have to pay for optional benefits you do not need, and you can choose to add optional benefits that provide extra protection for you and your family.
Ontario is making changes to auto insurance that puts consumers in the driver's seat — providing you with more choice and control over your coverage to fit your needs. If you choose to remove benefits that have now become optional from your existing coverage, it may impact your premium.
Yes, if you're a renewing customer, all accident benefits except medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care will become optional. Your policy will renew automatically with your current coverage and limits, unless you agree with your insurer in writing to decline certain benefits or make changes to them. You can review and update your coverage based on your needs. Before making changes, check if your personal or work benefits already provide similar coverage. Although your current policy will renew with the same coverage and limits, who is covered for newly optional accident benefits under your policy will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of renewal effective date.
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. Ask your insurer, agent or broker which benefits are included in your quote. You may want to add optional benefits to your policy based on your needs.
You may need to change your optional accident benefits if your situation changes, such as starting a new job, having children, or taking on caregiving responsibilities. You can change your optional benefits at any time, but only the coverage in place at the time of an auto accident will apply to your claim. To update your coverage, contact your insurer, agent, or broker to review your options and make sure your policy reflects your current needs.
Yes, you can choose to remove or update your auto insurance coverage by agreeing with your insurer in writing to decline certain benefits or make changes to them. Before deciding to remove or add coverage, review your current policy to understand what you're covered for, think about your needs and thoroughly review if your personal or work benefits already provide similar coverage. Speak to your insurer, agent, or broker to explore your options and choose the benefits that best fit your needs.
Yes, the changes to accident benefits optionality will impact all drivers and auto insurance policies in Ontario, including personal private passenger, commercial, motorcycle, snowmobile, and all-terrain vehicle policies.
You may be covered for certain accident benefits coverage when renting a car. Remember to review your auto insurance policy and the rental contract to understand what you're covered for.
As of July 1, 2026, optional accident benefits coverage will only apply to the named insured, their spouse, dependants of the named insured and of the named insured's spouse, and listed drivers. Passengers injured in an auto accident will not be covered for optional benefits unless they fall into one of these groups under an auto insurance policy that includes optional benefits. However, standard accident benefits will still apply to all passengers.
Standard accident benefits will still apply to uninsured pedestrians and cyclists. Optional accident benefits coverage will only apply to the named insured, their spouse, dependants of the named insured, the named insured's spouse, and listed drivers. Pedestrians and cyclists injured in an auto accident will not be covered for optional benefits unless they fall into one of these groups under an auto insurance policy that includes optional benefits.
There is no impact to ongoing claims. The auto insurance coverage you had at the time of the accident applies to your claim.
If you are injured in an auto accident, you may have coverage through both your auto insurance and your supplementary health insurance plan. Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario is making changes to ensure that auto insurance will pay first for medical or rehabilitation benefits (except for medication costs) for any injury sustained in an auto accident. This means your auto insurance provider will cover these costs before your workplace or private health plan, helping you preserve those benefits for other life events.
Before speaking with your insurer, agent or broker, you should review your current auto insurance policy to better understand what coverage you currently have and think about your needs. Thoroughly review your personal or work benefits to see if they already provide similar coverage.
Disclaimer: The descriptions of statutory accident benefits on this page are a summary of the statutory accident benefits in Ontario Regulation 34/10 (the "SABS"). Do not rely on this summary alone. For full details, refer to the SABS or speak with your insurer, agent or broker.