Effective July 1, 2026

Ontario Auto Insurance Reform

What Germania Mutual Insurance customers need to know about upcoming changes to accident benefits.

Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario is making auto insurance more flexible. Some accident benefits that were previously included in every auto insurance policy will become optional, giving you more choice and control over your coverage.

What are Statutory Accident Benefits?

Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) can provide financial support if you are injured in an auto accident. These benefits are available regardless of who caused the accident and can cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, and income replacement if you are unable to work due to your injuries.

What’s staying the same?

Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits will continue to be included in all auto insurance policies. These benefits cover medical expenses, therapy, and personal care assistance after an accident — including doctor visits, physiotherapy, and help with daily activities.

You may still choose to add optional benefits such as supplementary medical, rehabilitation and attendant care, dependant care, and indexation benefits.

What’s becoming optional?

The following benefits will no longer be automatically included — you can choose to add or remove them based on your needs:

  • Income replacement — Helps replace income lost due to an auto accident (pays 70% of gross income up to your selected weekly limit).
  • Non-earner benefit — For students or unemployed individuals who are unable to lead a normal life after an accident.
  • Caregiver benefits — Covers caregiving expenses if you can no longer care for a dependant after an accident.
  • Lost educational expenses — Helps recover costs if an accident prevents you from attending school or an education program.
  • Expenses of visitors — Covers reasonable visit-related expenses for family members if you are injured.
  • Housekeeping & home maintenance — Helps cover costs if you are unable to perform tasks you normally would at home.
  • Damage to personal items — Covers repair or replacement of personal items such as clothing, eyewear, or hearing aids.
  • Death benefits — Lump sum compensation for surviving family members if a covered person dies due to an auto accident.
  • Funeral benefits — Helps cover funeral costs following an accident-related death.

Who is covered?

Starting July 1, 2026, newly optional accident benefits under your auto policy will only apply to:

  • The named insured
  • The spouse of the named insured
  • Dependants of the named insured and of the named insured’s spouse
  • Persons specified in the policy as drivers of the automobile

This means some individuals who may have previously been covered — such as certain passengers — may no longer be eligible for these optional benefits.

What this means for you

Existing customers

Your policy will renew automatically with your current coverage and limits, unless you agree in writing to make changes. However, who is covered for newly optional benefits will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of your renewal date. Before making any changes, check whether your personal or workplace benefits already provide similar coverage.

New customers

If you are purchasing or renewing a policy on or after July 1, 2026, you can choose which optional accident benefits you would like to include. Ask your broker or agent which benefits are included in your quote.

Steps to take

  1. Review your current coverage — Know what benefits you have today through your auto policy.
  2. Check your workplace or private benefits — You may already have similar coverage and can avoid duplication.
  3. Consider your needs — Think about which optional benefits make sense for you and your family.
  4. Speak to your broker or agent — They can walk you through your options and help you make the right choice.

Documents & resources

Have questions about your coverage?

Please contact your broker or agent — they are best placed to review your policy and help you understand how these changes affect you. You can also reach us at 1-800-265-3433.

The descriptions of the statutory accident benefits on this page are a summary of the statutory accident benefits in Ontario Regulation 34/10 (the “SABS”). Do not rely on this summary alone. For full details, refer to the SABS or speak with your broker or agent.