What’s in the standard bundle
Ontario accident benefits (AB) are a no-fault coverage. That means your own insurer pays the benefits to you and your passengers no matter who caused the collision — even if the other driver is 100% at fault, even if there is no other driver.
Under the current Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS, O. Reg. 34/10), the standard bundle includes: medical and rehabilitation expenses (with separate caps for non-catastrophic vs. catastrophic injuries), attendant care, income replacement, non-earner benefit, caregiver benefit, housekeeping and home maintenance, death and funeral benefits, and reimbursement of certain other expenses (lost educational expenses, visitor expenses, etc.).
Each benefit has its own cap, its own eligibility rules, and its own time limit for applying. Most carriers also sell optional buy-ups that raise the standard limits.
Why benefits matter regardless of who caused the crash
Ontario’s no-fault system was built so that injured people don’t have to wait for a lawsuit to be resolved before getting treatment, paid time off work, or help around the house. The trade-off is that the right to sue is limited (the "tort threshold" and the deductible on general damages).
For most Ontarians injured in a collision, accident benefits — not a tort lawsuit — are the realistic source of recovery.
What changes on July 1, 2026
Four benefits that are mandatory today become optional under the July 2026 reform: the income replacement benefit (IRB), non-earner benefit, caregiver benefit, and housekeeping & home maintenance benefit. Drivers can choose to keep them — at the same or different limits — or drop them in exchange for a lower premium.
Medical and rehabilitation coverage, attendant care, and death and funeral benefits remain mandatory.
Should you opt down?
There’s no universally right answer, but a few questions help:
Do you have strong workplace short- and long-term disability coverage that would replace lost income after a serious injury? If yes, the income replacement benefit may be partly redundant. If your workplace coverage has a long waiting period or a low monthly cap, AB is still doing real work.
Could you afford months of attendant care or housekeeping out of pocket if you were seriously injured? If not, those benefits exist precisely for situations no one plans for.
Are there other adults in your household who could step in unpaid? If you’re a sole earner or sole caregiver, opting down is riskier.
How to claim
Report the collision to your insurer within seven days. Your carrier will send you the OCF-1 Application for Accident Benefits and related forms. Keep copies of every medical record, every receipt, and every email — disputes that end up at the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) turn on documentation.
If you’re denied a benefit you believe you’re entitled to, you can dispute through LAT. The carrier is required to give you written reasons for any denial.
Frequently asked
What’s the difference between accident benefits and a tort claim?
Accident benefits are paid by your own insurer regardless of fault and don’t require a lawsuit. A tort claim is a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for pain, suffering, and economic losses beyond what AB covers. The two systems run in parallel — most seriously injured people use both.
Are accident benefits taxable?
Medical, rehab, attendant care, and most other AB payments are not taxable. The income replacement benefit is generally not taxable in the recipient’s hands, but it’s capped below pre-injury gross income for that reason. Talk to a tax professional for your specific situation.
Can my carrier deny accident benefits?
Yes — common grounds are missed deadlines, disputes over whether an injury is "minor" under the Minor Injury Guideline, or assessments that conclude treatment isn’t reasonable and necessary. You have the right to written reasons and a path to dispute denials through the Licence Appeal Tribunal.