Ontario’s new auto insurance rules take effect
Ontario auto insurance changes let drivers cut premiums by dropping optional benefits See what coverage you can keep and what you could lose after a crash
Ontario’s updated auto insurance rules took effect on Wednesday, giving drivers the option to reduce premiums by dropping some benefits, while also increasing the chance of having less coverage after a crash.
The changes make nine accident benefits optional in all Ontario policies. Those benefits include income replacement, caregiver support, housekeeping and home maintenance coverage, death and funeral benefits, and some nonearner benefits for students and retirees.
Officials and experts say skipping these addons could save about $75 to $100 a year, but it could also leave policyholders without thousands of dollars in protection if they later need to claim benefits. Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care coverage remains included in all policies, but some people who were previously covered through another driver’s policy, including pedestrians, cyclists and certain passengers, may no longer qualify for accident benefits.