To help you better understand the most important changes and your options, we’ve summarized the major coverage categories of your policy and how they will be affected when the new laws come into effect.

Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care (for non-catastrophic injuries)

Previously:
This coverage includes up to $100,000 for medical and rehabilitation benefits.   For attendant care, there is coverage of up to $72,000

After September 1st:
Basic coverage will include up to $50,000 with the option to purchase up to $1,100,000. Under the new set of changes for attendant care, basic coverage will include up to $36,000 with the option to purchase more.

Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care (catastrophic injuries)

Previously:
Coverage includes up to $1,000,000 for medical and rehabilitation benefits.

After September 1st:
Coverage will continue to include up to $1,000,000, but you will have the option to purchase more.

Caregiver Benefit

Previously:
This benefit provides payment for some expenses incurred when you are not able to continue being the primary caregiver to any dependents in your home in need of care.  This is available for all injuries.

After September 1st:
This benefit will only be available for catastrophic injuries. You will, however, have the option to purchase this coverage for non-catastrophic injuries.

Housekeeping & Home Maintenance Expenses

Previously:
This benefit covers any expenses for housekeeping or home maintenance in the event you are unable to do these tasks yourself.  This is available for all injuries.

After September 1st:
Your coverage will only apply for catastrophic injuries. However, you will be able to purchase this coverage for non-catastrophic injuries.

Income Replacement Benefit

Previously:
This coverage replaces 80% of your net income up to a maximum of $400 per week.

After September 1st:
Basic coverage will replace 70% of your gross income up to $400 per week. You will have the option to purchase additional coverage for up to $600, $800 or $1000 per week.

For more details on how the changes affect you, please contact one of our experienced Personal Injury Consultants toll free 1-877-386-2113

Car (Auto) Accident Benefits

If you are injured in an automobile accident, you may be entitled to certain benefits from your own car insurance company or from the car insurance company of another vehicle involved in the accident, regardless of who is at fault. Your insurance company will provide you with application forms and will assist you in completing the forms. However, it is quite common for you and your insurance company to disagree about the benefits that should be paid to you. The accident benefits legislation is quite complicated. It is your responsibility to obtain the benefits you need. Although you do not own a car and you are not insured under any auto policy, you can apply for car accident benefits. The accident benefits legislation is designed so that you should always have access to some insurer for accident benefits. For example, if you do not own a vehicle and you are not insured under any policy, you can apply to the insurer of the car you were in at the time of the accident.

If you were a pedestrian, you can apply to the insurer of the car that hit you. Every driver is obliged to have auto insurance. Therefore, it is very rare that every car involved in an accident will be uninsured. However, even in this situation, you can apply for benefits to the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund. The Ontario government maintains this fund.

Types of Car Accident Benefits

Income Replacement Benefits:

• if you are unable to work because of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to income replacement benefits. The benefit is 80% of your net income, to a maximum of $400.00 per week unless you have optional cover
• the amount of benefit payable will be generally reduced by other income benefits being received (for example, short term disability or long term disability payments)
• income replacement benefits start one week after a car accident that has caused you a “substantial inability” to perform the essential tasks of your employment
• to receive income replacement benefits beyond 104 weeks, you must prove that you suffer “a complete inability to engage in any employment for which you are reasonably suited by education, training or experience”
• the amount of the income replacement benefit is reduced after age 65