Ontario Auto Insurance Customized

If you own a vehicle in Ontario, you're required by law to purchase auto insurance coverage in case an accident occurs. At a minimum, you must carry third-party liability, accident benefits, direct compensation property damage, and uninsured automobile.

You have the option to increase limits and purchase additional accident benefits coverage to protect your lifestyle.

Ontario Auto Insurance Coverage Options

As your lifestyle changes, so do your coverage needs. Regular reviews of your auto insurance policy will ensure you have the coverage best-suited to your lifestyle.

Third-Party Liability

Protects you when someone is injured or killed, or property is damaged. Pays defence costs to settle claims from any lawsuits against you, up to the set limit. Legally in Ontario, you must carry at least $200,000 in liability.

Direct Compensation Property Damage

If someone else is at fault for an accident, direct compensation covers damage to your vehicle, its contents and equipment including loss of use and contents.

Uninsured Automobile

Protects you and your family if you're injured or killed by a hit-and-run driver or an uninsured motorist; covers damage to your vehicle caused by identified, uninsured drivers.

Accident Benefits

If you've been injured in an accident, regardless of who caused it, accident benefits cover expenses not covered by OHIP like rehabilitation, caregiving, and loss of income. Injuries are typically categorized as either catastrophic and non-catastrophic. Non-catastrophic injuries are sometimes considered either serious injuries or minor injuries.

Catastrophic Injuries: Loss of a limb, para/quadriplegia

Non-Catastrophic Injuries: Minor injuries (sprains, whiplash) and serious injuries (broken bones)

Medical and Rehabilitation

Reimbursement for reasonable, necessary medical and rehabilitation expenses like physiotherapy not covered by OHIP or Group Insurance Plans.

Attendant Care

Reimbursement for an attendant to look after you either at home or within a healthcare facility.

Standard Coverage for Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care

• Non-Catastrophic Injuries: $65,000 total for Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care
• Catastrophic Injuries: $1,000,000 total for Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care

Optional Coverage for Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care

1. Increase Non-Catastrophic benefit to $130,000 total
2. Add an additional $1,000,000 for a total of $2,000,000 for Catastrophic Injuries
3. Increase combined all injury benefit to $1,000,000 and combined Catastrophic benefit total to $2,000,000

Caregiver Benefit

Reimbursement to hire someone to care for your dependants.

Standard Coverage for the Caregiver Benefit

• Up to $250 per week for the first dependant, $50 per week for additional dependants. (Catastrophic injuries only)

Optional Coverage for the Caregiver Benefit

• Extend benefit to cover serious and minor injuries (not just Catastrophic)

Housekeeping and Home Maintenance Expenses

Reimbursement for someone to carry out your household responsibilities

Standard Coverage for Housekeeping and Home Maintenance Expenses

• Up to $100 per week. (Catastrophic injuries only)

Optional Coverage for Housekeeping and Home Maintenance Expenses

• Extend benefit to cover serious and minor injuries (not just Catastrophic)

Income Replacement Benefit

A weekly income of up to $400; begins one week after the accident occurs.

Standard Coverage for the Income Replacement Benefit

• 70% of gross income up to $400 per week.

Optional Coverage for the Income Replacement Benefit

1. Increase to $600
2. Increase to $800
3. Increase to $1,000

Dependant Care Benefit

Reimbursement for additional expenses to care for your dependants if you're employed and injured from a car accident.

Standard Coverage for Dependant Care Benefit

• Not provided

Optional Coverage for Dependant Care Benefit

• Purchase up to $75 per week for first dependant and $25 per week for additional dependants (max $150 per week)

Death and Funeral Benefit

A lump sum payout to your spouse and dependant(s); a second lump sum payout to cover the cost of funeral expenses.

Standard Coverage for Death and Funeral Benefit

• $25,000 to spouse; $10,000 to each dependant; up to $6,000 for funeral

Optional Coverage for Death and Funeral Benefit

• Increase to $50,000 for spouse; $20,000 for each dependant; increase to $8,000 for funeral

Indexation Benefit

Adjustment of benefits to account for changes in inflation.

Standard Coverage for the Indexation Benefit

• Not provided

Optional Coverage for the Indexation Benefit

• Adjust annually according to the Consumer Price Index of Canada

Tort Deductible

The amount deducted from a settlement or court award for pain and suffering.

Standard Coverage for the Tort Deductible

• $39,754.31 (January 1 - December 31, 2021)

Optional Coverage for the Tort Deductible

• Reduce deductible by $10,000 regardless of annual indexation

Auto insurance coverage can be confusing. A licensed Ontario auto insurance broker will explain important details, review the costs of increasing coverage, and help you make informed decisions.

We will shop the market to find the right coverage based on your lifestyle.

How much does an injury cost?

To make an informed choice about your Ontario auto insurance policy, you need to know what injuries resulting from car accidents can cost.

Health Care Professional Rates & Fees (A Guideline)

Maximum Hourly Rate For Non-Catastrophic Impairments

• Chiropractors: $112.81
• Massage Therapists: $58.19
• Occupational Therapists: $99.75
• Physiotherapists: $99.75
• Podiatrists: $99.75
• Psychologists and Psychological Associates: $149.61
• Speech-Language Pathologists: $112.22
• Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners: $91.43
• Kinesiologists: $58.19
• Unregulated Providers*: $58.19

Maximum Hourly Rate For Catastrophic Impairments

These rates apply to all services rendered on or after September 6, 2014 to an insured person whose impairment is determined to be a catastrophic impairment as defined in the SABS whether such services are rendered before or after such determination is made.

• Chiropractors: $135.32
• Massage Therapists: $89.07
• Occupational Therapists: $119.92
• Physiotherapists: $119.92
• Podiatrists: $119.92
• Psychologists and Psychological Associates: $149.29
• Speech-Language Pathologists: $134.17
• Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners: $109.24
• Kinesiologists: $89.07
• Unregulated Providers*: $89.07

*Unregulated providers include: case managers, family counsellors, psychometrists, rehabilitation counsellors, vocational counsellors

Car Accidents with No Injuries

Probability: 46%

By far the most common type of accident in Ontario is your typical "fender bender" whereby no injuries are sustained.

Examples of No Injury Costs

• Repairs to your vehicle
• Rental car (look for "loss of use" coverage)
• Contents from your car

Car Accidents with Minor Injuries

Probability: Less than 28%

Examples of minor injuries include sprains or whiplash. When injuries are deemed minor, medical and rehabilitation benefits are limited to $3,500 regardless of the level of coverage.

Examples of Minor Injury Costs

• Ambulance Fees ($45-$200)
• Short-term physiotherapy ($2,200-$3,500) and could include physiotherapy, acupuncture, or chiropractor
• Doctor's fees not covered by OHIP ($82-200)

Car Accidents with Serious Injuries

Probability: 22%

Examples of serious injuries include broken bones and severe sprains. These types of injuries could disrupt your life and require a longer period of recovery.

Examples of Serious Injury Costs

• Medical assessments ($2,000)
• Examinations ($1,500 average)
• Physiotherapy costs ($3,000-$4,500 every 60 days)
• Drug prescriptions ($25-$100 per month)
• Mobility devices (thousands of dollars and need to be replaced and repaired)
• Care for your dependants (children or elderly parents, for example)
• Training for your career (e.g., vocational specialist or occupational therapist)

Car Accidents with Catastrophic Injuries

Probability: Less than 5%

Examples of catastrophic injuries include the loss of a limb, paraplegia. Catastrophic injuries result in increased benefits.

This is the most serious and unfortunate type of injury, resulting in a long-term or permanent disability. Although rare, the potentially overwhelming cost of this type of injury is why most of us buy auto insurance in the first place.

The costs of helping you reintegrate back into society after this type of injury are much larger in scale and may be ongoing for the remainder of your life.

Examples of Catastrophic Injury Costs

• The costs outlined under "serious injury" continue throughout of a lifetime
• 24/7 attendant care ($6,000 per month)
• Modifications to your home could be required