FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ONTARIO
FACT SHEET: 2026 Accident Benefits Reforms and
What Ontario Drivers Need to Know
What are Statutory Accident Benefits?
Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) can provide financial support if you are injured in an
auto accident. These benefits can be available regardless of who caused the accident
and can cover things like medical treatment, rehabilitation and income if you can’t work
because of your injuries.
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.
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 you can now choose to add
The following auto insurance accident benefits will become optional. You can choose to
remove or add these to your policy, for yourself or other covered persons, depending on
your needs.
Optional benefit
Income
replacement
What it covers
Helps replace income you or another
covered person may lose because of an
auto accident.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
Non-earner
What it covers
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.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
Caregiver
benefits
What it covers
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, who
needs it.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
Lost educational
expenses
What it covers
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.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
Income
replacement
What it covers
Helps replace income you or another
covered person may lose because of an
auto accident.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
Expenses
of visitors
What it covers
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.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
Housekeeping
and home
maintenance
What it covers
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
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
Damage to
personal items
What it covers
Helps cover the cost to repair or replace
personal items (e.g., clothing,
prescription eyewear, hearing aids, etc.)
damaged in an auto accident.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
Death
benefits
What it covers
Compensates some family members if
you or another covered person dies due
to an auto accident.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
Funeral
benefits
What it covers
Helps cover some funeral costs if you or
another covered person dies due to an
auto accident.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
What it covers
Coverage limits
Income
replacement
Helps replace income you or another
covered person may lose because of an
auto accident.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
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.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
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, who
needs it.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
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.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
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.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Housekeeping
and 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.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Damage to
personal items
Helps cover the cost to repair or replace
personal items (e.g., clothing,
prescription eyewear, hearing aids, etc.)
damaged in an auto accident.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Death
benefits
Compensates some family members if
you or another covered person dies due
to an auto accident.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Funeral
benefits
Helps cover some funeral costs if you or
another covered person dies due to an
auto accident.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Benefits that will remain optional
You can still choose to add the following benefits to your policy:
Optional benefit
Supplementary
medical,
rehabilitation and
attendant care
benefits
What it covers
Helps cover expenses for medical
benefits beyond the standard limits.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
Dependant care
benefits
What it covers
Helps cover reasonable and necessary
additional expenses associated with
caring for dependants such as a child,
spouse, or aging parent.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional benefit
Indexation benefits
What it covers
Helps to ensure certain weekly benefit
payments and monetary limits are
adjusted annually to reflect changes in
the cost of living.
Coverage limits
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Optional Benefit
What it covers
Coverage limits
Supplementary
medical,
rehabilitation and
attendant care
benefits
Helps cover expenses for medical
benefits beyond the standard limits.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Dependant care
benefits
Helps cover reasonable and necessary
additional expenses associated with
caring for dependants such as a child,
spouse, or aging parent.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Indexation benefits
Helps to ensure certain weekly benefit
payments and monetary limits are
adjusted annually to reflect changes in
the cost of living.
Rates and limits may
vary by insurer
Who is covered?
Although existing policies will renew with the same coverage and limits, who is covered
under policies for newly optional accident benefits will change on July 1, 2026,
regardless of renewal effective date.
• 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
What steps should I take?
• Review your current coverage to understand what benefits you have today in
your auto insurance policy
• Review coverage you may already have through your workplace, private benefits
plan, or life and health insurance providers.
• Think about your needs. Consider which coverage is right for you.
• Speak to your insurer, agent, or broker to learn more about your options.
Make informed decisions; choose the benefits that best fit your needs and budget.
Disclaimer
The descriptions of the statutory accident benefits in this document is 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
