Article by Jacklyn Barrios
The Government of Ontario has amended the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule to substitute standard benefits with opt-in benefits for policies that are issued on or after July 1, 2026. This means that after June 30, 2026 you will have to choose whether you want to include the following benefits on your insurance plan:
- Compensation for Damaged Items
- Income Replacement and Non-Earner benefits
- Caregiver benefits
- Lost Educational Expenses benefits
- Visitor benefits
- Housekeeping and Home-Maintenance benefits
- Death and Funeral benefits
Insurance plans for consumers who choose not to opt-in to these benefits will be cheaper. Because of this, leaving out certain benefits may seem like a good option for those who find it difficult to keep up with their insurance payments among increased costs of living or are simply tired of the rising costs of insurance premiums. However, this bargain comes with some significant long-term impacts.
If you get into a car accident, the impacts on your mental and physical health can be severe and sometimes debilitating. You might not think it will happen to you – but what if it does? It’s important that you protect yourself from future hardship.
What do Statutory Accident Benefits cover?
Income Replacement and Non-Earner benefits ensure you still have income when you are unable to work after an accident. If you don’t opt for these benefits, you may not have any income for months, or even years.
Caregiver benefits are used if you cannot continue caring for your dependents, so you can access compensation. This includes benefits for adults under disability, children, and even elderly parents. Without these benefits, you may struggle to take care of your dependents.
Lost Educational Expenses benefits are used if you are enrolled in an educational program and you cannot continue after the accident. Your expenses, such as tuition, books, and housing can be reimbursed. This avoids a loss of thousands of dollars in tuition and other educational expenses for a program you cannot complete.
Visitor benefits are used for family members, who often help after their loved ones get into a car accident. However, helping a loved one can be expensive. Visitors may have to pay for meals, parking, and even air fare. The aftermath of a car accident can be an isolating experience, so it’s important to ensure that your support system is able to show up for you.
Housekeeping and Home-Maintenance benefits help those who are substantially unable to continue caring for their homes. Some injuries can be debilitating and even lead to the development or exacerbation of a disability. Without housekeeping and home-maintenance benefits, keeping up with home care may be extremely challenging.
Death and Funeral benefits can help ensure your loved ones are taken care of in the event of your death. Death and funeral benefits help cover the cost of the funeral and provide survivorship benefits to dependents and spouses.
What should I do?
It’s important to carefully consider your circumstances and what would happen if you did not have access to each of these benefits if you got into an accident. Your insurance policy should also be reviewed frequently to reflect any change in your circumstances. For example, ensure you have opted-in to caregiver benefits after having a child. It is important that you consider both yourself and your loved ones when deciding which insurance benefits you should or shouldn’t opt-in to.
If you find yourself wondering which path to take based on upcoming changes to the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, you can reach out to one of our experienced lawyers at Reybroek Law for guidance.
