What is Accident Benefits Coverage in Car Insurance?

In your car insurance policy, the Accident Benefits section provides compensation if you, one of your passengers, or a pedestrian is injured in a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. It covers things like rehabilitation treatment, income replacement, and other services that are needed for recovery. Accident Benefits also provides certain coverages if someone is killed in a collision. This coverage is mandatory for drivers across Canada, except in Newfoundland and Labrador.

What is covered by Accident Benefits?

Accident Benefits coverage is designed to help you recover if you’re injured in a collision or support your family if you pass away. While specific coverage details vary by province, Accident Benefits coverage generally includes:

• Medical and rehabilitation expenses that aren’t already covered by another medical plan
• Compensation for loss of income if you can’t work as a result of your injuries
• Funeral expenses if you pass away
• Compensation for some of your family members if you’re killed.

In certain provinces, Accident Benefits may include some additional coverages. In Ontario, for example, Accident Benefits also includes:

• Compensation for an alternative caregiver if you can no longer act as the main caregiver for your dependents
• Compensation for other expenses, like home maintenance, replacement of items damaged in the collision, and lost educational expenses
• Compensation if you’re completely unable to carry on a normal life and you don’t qualify for income replacement or the caregiver benefit.

In Ontario you have the option to increase certain Accident Benefits to meet your needs. If you’re wondering what’s included in your own Accident Benefits coverage, you should review your policy or contact us and we can review your coverage together.

Note: in all of the coverages listed above, “you” refers to yourself, your passenger, or a pedestrian who is injured in a collision.

Whose insurance covers your injuries if you’re a passenger in someone else’s vehicle?

Generally speaking, you need to go to your own insurer to make an Accident Benefits claim if you’re injured in a collision, even if you were a passenger in someone else’s vehicle at the time. If you don’t have your own car insurance policy, you would claim Accident Benefits from the policy that covers the vehicle you were injured in.

If you’re involved in a collision, you’ll likely rely on your Accident Benefits coverage to provide the support you need to recover from your injuries — or support for your family if you pass away. To learn about the details of your own Accident Benefits coverage or make sure you have the best coverage for your situation, reach out to us today.