Accident benefits are paid by your own insurer regardless of fault. Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care are mandatory. Since July 1, 2026, income replacement, non-earner and caregiver benefits are optional coverage.
The two claims running at once
After a collision in Ontario there are usually two separate claims. Accident benefits come from your own insurer regardless of who caused the crash. The tort claim is brought against the driver at fault.
They have different rules, different deadlines and different people administering them. Confusing the two is the most common early mistake.
What is mandatory and what is not
Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits are mandatory on every Ontario policy. Income replacement, non-earner and caregiver benefits became optional on July 1, 2026.
Auto insurance also now pays first for medical and rehabilitation costs, ahead of an extended health plan, with medication the exception.
The limits that apply
For an injury that is not catastrophic, medical, rehabilitation and attendant care are capped at a combined limit for a defined period. A catastrophic impairment designation raises that limit substantially and removes the time restriction.
Separately, injuries classified under the minor injury category are capped far lower, which is why that classification is worth challenging when it is wrong.
Filing on time
Notice to your insurer and returning the completed application both run on short deadlines. These are the deadlines people miss while still in hospital, and missing them delays the funding that pays for treatment.
What changed for you on July 1, 2026
- Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care remain mandatory on every policy.
- Income replacement, non-earner and caregiver benefits are now optional coverage you have to buy.
- Auto insurance now pays first for medical and rehabilitation costs, ahead of an extended health plan. Medication is the exception.
- Someone without their own auto policy, including pedestrians and cyclists, may now only be able to claim the mandatory medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits.
- Medical benefits
- Rehabilitation benefits
- Attendant care benefits
- Income replacement benefits
- Non-earner benefits
- Caregiver benefits
If you were hurt on or after July 1, 2026, what you can claim depends on what optional coverage was bought. Check the policy before assuming a benefit is there.
Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, changes to Statutory Accident Benefits coverage effective July 1, 2026
Deadlines that apply to you
These are the dates that end claims. Check them first.
Tell your own auto insurer about the collision as soon as you reasonably can, and no later than seven days.
Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, O. Reg. 34/10, s. 32(1)
Once the insurer sends you the application package, the completed application for accident benefits (the OCF-1) is due back within 30 days.
Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, O. Reg. 34/10, s. 32(5)
For an injury that is not catastrophic, medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits are capped at $65,000 combined, available for up to 260 weeks after the collision.
Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, O. Reg. 34/10 · in force 2019-06-03
If the impairment is found to be catastrophic, the combined medical, rehabilitation and attendant care limit rises to $1,000,000 with no time limit.
Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, O. Reg. 34/10
Questions we get every week
Yes. Accident benefits do not depend on fault.
Passengers can claim accident benefits. Which policy responds depends on the circumstances and is worth establishing early.
They are separate claims, though benefits received can be taken into account in the tort claim. They are pursued together rather than one instead of the other.
Where this applies
Accident Benefits
Accident benefits are paid by your own auto insurer regardless of who caused the collision.
Read moreCar Accidents
After a car accident in Ontario you usually have two separate claims running at the same time: accident benefits from your own insurer regardless of who caused the crash, and a claim against the driver at fault.
Read moreCatastrophic Injury
In Ontario, a catastrophic impairment designation raises the combined medical, rehabilitation and attendant care limit from $65,000 to $1,000,000 and removes the time limit.
Read more