July 1 – Changes To Statutory Accident Benefits

The auto insurance industry in Ontario is always changing. The most recent change will give clients more options in which accident benefits they would like included on their policy. If you would like some more information, please visit the FSRA accident benefits update.

Several of the accident benefits clients would automatically receive in the past are now becoming optional. Some of the optional accident benefits now include: income replacement, caregiver, death and funeral, housekeeping/maintenance, dependent care and others. 

Medical, rehabilitation, attendant care and cost of examinations will still be mandatory and included. 

Insurers will become the first payor for most medical and rehab expenses (except medication), even when a client has workplace benefits.

Definitions as to who is covered under an auto insurance policy are also changing. 

“Insured” now only includes:

• The names insured
• The spouse of the insured
• The dependent
• Anyone listed on the policy

Pedestrians, passengers or cyclists who do not have their own auto insurance policy may no longer have access to these benefits. 

Filip Ambroziak has created a detailed post about definitions on what is changing as of July 1st.