More choice, more control: Ontario's auto insurance reforms put you in the driver's seat.
Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario is making auto insurance more flexible. Some accident benefits previously included in every policy will become optional — giving you more choice to select coverage that fits your needs.
The basics
What are Statutory Accident Benefits?
Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) can provide financial support if you are injured in a car 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 staying the same
Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits will continue to be included in all auto insurance policies. These benefits help cover essential recovery support after an accident.
You can still purchase additional or increased benefits — supplementary medical, rehabilitation and attendant care, dependant care, and indexation benefits.
Who is covered
Starting July 1, 2026, the newly optional benefits will only apply to:
- 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
Some people — such as pedestrians, cyclists, and certain passengers — may no longer be eligible for optional accident benefits.
Now optional
What's becoming optional
The following auto insurance accident benefits will become optional. Choose what fits your needs.
Income replacement
Helps replace income you or another covered person may lose because of an auto accident.
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.
Caregiver benefits
Helps cover caregiving expenses if you or another covered person is injured and can no longer provide care for a household member, such as a child or aging parent.
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.
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.
Housekeeping & 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 accident.
Damage to personal items
Helps cover the cost to repair or replace personal items (e.g., clothing, prescription eyewear, hearing aids) damaged in an auto accident.
Death benefits
Compensates some family members if you or another covered person die due to an auto accident.
Funeral benefits
Helps cover some funeral costs if you or another covered person die due to an auto accident.
What this means for you
Your situation, your coverage
Existing customers
Your policy will renew automatically with your current coverage and limits, unless you agree in writing to decline benefits or make changes. Who is covered for newly optional benefits will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of renewal date.
New customers
Customers purchasing or renewing on or after July 1, 2026 can choose which optional accident benefits to purchase. Ask which benefits are included in your quote.
Commercial customers & employees
Speak to your insurer, agent, or broker to learn how this change impacts you or your employees.
Action plan
What steps should I take?
Review your current coverage
Know what benefits you already have today through your auto insurance policy.
Review your workplace or private benefits plan
Avoid duplication — you may already have coverage through your workplace, private benefits plan, or life and health insurance providers.
Think about your needs
Consider which coverage is right for you and your household.
Speak to your insurer, agent, or broker
They can help explain your options and tailor the right policy for you.
Make informed decisions; choose the benefits that best fit your needs.
Resources
Learn more about the reforms
Fact sheet
A quick reference on what's changing, what's optional, and what to ask your broker.
Read the fact sheetCustomer Q&A
21 plain-language answers to the most common questions about the 2026 reforms.
Browse the Q&ASelf-assessment checklist
Find out which optional benefits may be right for you and your household.
Take the assessmentOfficial sources
The information on these pages is adapted from FSRA's official communications toolkit. For the original materials and the latest updates, refer directly to the source.
Need help?
Talk to a licensed BrokerUnion broker about how the 2026 reforms affect your policy.
Disclaimer: The descriptions of statutory accident benefits in this document 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 FSRA or speak to your licensed insurance broker.