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At J D Smith Insurance.com, we want you to stay informed and make wise choices for your Auto Insurance Coverage.
All Auto Policies In Ontario Have Changed as of July 2026.
In an attempt to give consumers more choice and perhaps, to save a few dollars, the government has changed the Accident choices on all auto policies.
For claim examples and how Accident Insurance options work, review these links.
Auto Reform Fact Sheet
Auto Reform Q&A
Auto Reform Self Assessment
Auto Reform Customer Scenarios |
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| Commercial or Business Use Vehicles |
| Your employer may have reduced Accident Benefit Coverage's for their drivers. Please check with your employer. You do not want to have an accident with the company truck or vehicle and find out he has reduced the coverage to protect you in a major accident. We would recommend your company continue with as much coverage to protect employees as possible. |
| Personal Vehicles |
| Prior to July 2026 you have had an option to choose coverage for you and your vehicle for Liability limits, your collision deductible,the loss of use option, and the replacement value option for new cars. But the Accident Benefits available in an accident, have been standard coverage's. Now you have a choice with the Accident Benefits and limits,that are available to you. We recommend you continue with all the good coverage's you currently have and perhaps consider increasing some of them. |
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If you had a serious accident and could not work, you would want to have the best coverage possible. We at JDS tell our clients, it is not worth removing coverage to save just a few dollars.
Please read though the below brief outline of the new Ontario Plan.
NOTE - If you have any questions, or wish to make changes, please talk to your Broker. |
| Ontario is updating its auto insurance rules to give you more control over your coverage. Starting July 1, 2026, some accident benefits that were once included in every auto policy will become optional, allowing you to choose the coverage that best suits your needs. |
| What are Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs)? |
| Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) can provide financial support to help cover costs if you are injured in a car accident.
They can provide assistance for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and income replacement, regardless of who caused the accident. |
| What’s Staying the Same? |
| Basic medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits will remain included in all policies to help you recover after an accident.
You can still choose to purchase or increase benefits and coverages, such as supplementary medical, rehabilitation, caregiver support, and indexation benefits. |
| What’s Becoming Optional? |
The following auto insurance accident benefits will become optional:
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Income replacement: Helps replace income you or another covered person may lose because of an auto accident.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Death benefits: Compensates some family members if you or another covered person die due to an auto accident.
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Funeral benefits: Helps cover some funeral costs if you or another covered person die due to an auto accident.
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| Who is Affected by These Changes? |
| From July 1, 2026, the optional benefits will apply to:
Some people, like pedestrians, cyclists, and certain passengers, who were previously covered may no longer be eligible for accident benefits. |
| What This Means for You? |
| Existing Customers: Your policy will renew with your current coverage unless you agree with your insurer in writing to decline the benefits or to 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, as described in the list above. Review your coverage to determine whether adjustments are needed.
New Customers: If you’re buying or renewing a policy after July 1, 2026, you will have the option to choose your desired benefits. Be sure to ask your insurer or broker about what’s included in your quote.
Commercial Customers: Speak to your insurer or broker to learn more about how this change impacts you or your employees. |
| What Should You Do Now? |
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Review your current coverage: Understand what benefits are already included.
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Check your workplace benefits: You may have similar coverage through your employer or private insurance.
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Assess your needs: Consider what coverage will best meet your needs.
- Speak with your insurer: Your insurer or broker can help you navigate these changes and decide what’s right for you.
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