AUTO REFORM 2026
Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario is making changes that will give you more options and control over your coverage by making some accident benefits optional.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Mandatory coverages: Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits will continue to be included in all auto insurance policies. You cannot remove this coverage. Depending on your needs, you may choose to add additional or increased benefits and coverages, such as supplementary medical, rehabilitation and attendant care, dependent care and indexation benefits.
Some accident benefits are becoming optional such as:
- Income replacement
- Non-earner
- Caregiver
- Lost educational expenses
- Housekeeping/home maintenance
- Damage to personal property
- Death and Funeral Benefits
- Dependent Care Benefits
- Indexation Benefits
- Increased Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care benefits.
You may choose to opt out of these depending on your needs.
All Ontario automobile policy renewals will remain at the current coverage limits that were in place prior to July 2026. Clients who wish to remove coverage or modify their coverage limits must contact their broker in order to make those changes. Before making changes, check if your personal or work benefits already provide similar coverage.
Who is covered for optional accident benefits: Optional benefits under your auto policy will only apply to the named insured, the spouse of the named insured, dependents of the named insured and of the named insured’s spouse, and persons specified in the policy as drivers of the automobile. Although your current policy will renew with the same coverage and limits, who is covered for optional accident benefits under your policy will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of renewal effective date.
Some important questions to consider when reviewing your coverage include:
- Do you have both short and long-term disability coverage through your employer? Would your coverage through work cover an auto accident?
- Are you the main caregiver for children or other dependents, such as elderly parents?
- Are you a student, unemployed, or retired?
- Do you regularly use items like prescription glasses, hearing aids, or mobility devices that would be expensive to replace if damaged in an accident?
- Would you need to hire help for household chores if you were injured?
If you have questions, please contact our office vie email info@uniacinsurance.ca or you can call us direct at 519-348-9012.
We’re here to help you understand your coverage and make informed choices.