Car Insurance

Automobile Insurance Changes in Ontario Offer
You More Choice

On September 1, 2010 automobile insurance reform in Ontario takes effect and offers additional accident benefit choices, allowing you to customize your auto insurance policy.

As a current automobile policy holder, your policy coverage will remain unchanged until your next renewal date. Four to six weeks prior to your renewal date you will receive your insurance policy renewal package, including further details about optional accident benefit coverage. At that time, you will have the opportunity to review the impact of the reform on your automobile insurance policy.

If you choose to make changes to your insurance coverage prior to its renewal date, you may do so as of September 1, 2010.

For detailed information about the reform
please refer to:

Financial Services Commission of Ontario
Insurance Bureau of Canada

Do you have questions about the reform and how it affects your policy?
Consult the questions below to learn more.

Q1: As a current customer, how is my existing policy affected by the reform?

Since the reform comes into effect on September 1, 2010, please note that your coverage remains unchanged until your next renewal. Approximately 4-6 weeks prior to your renewal date, we will send you a package that contains all of the information necessary for you to make an informed decision on the type of insurance coverage that best suits your needs.

Q2: My policy renewal is after September 1st but I would like to take advantage of the new options as of this date, is this possible?

As of September 1, every policy owner can change their policy. If you want to change your coverage before your renewal date, we can provide you with a quote, based on the new reform coverage. Please call our Ontario Reform information line at 1 877 843 0181 for more information. Please note that we are experiencing higher call volumes about the reform. We appreciate your patience through longer wait times.

Q3: How will Accident Benefits coverage be
affected by the reform?

If your current policy renews prior to September 1st, 2010, pre-reform Accident Benefits coverage limits will continue to apply. Similarly, any previously-purchased optional benefits, such as Increased Income Replacement Benefits or Caregiver and Dependent Care coverage, will also remain in place.

If your policy renewal date is September 1, 2010 or later, the new standard accident benefits limits will apply unless you have previously purchased optional benefits. The optional benefits that you previously purchased will be included in the renewal. As always, you will have the option to buy additional coverage.

To learn more about the changes to the accident benefit coverage, please visit the FSCO and IBC websites. Information about optional accident benefits will also be found in your policy renewal package, which will be sent to you four to six weeks before your policy renewal date and can also be found in PDF format on the FSCO website.

Q4: What is a Tort deductible, and what is the new Tort Deductible endorsement?

A Tort deductible is the amount that is deducted from a settlement or court award for pain and suffering.

The new Tort Deductible endorsement allows you to reduce the deductible associated with court-awarded compensation for pain and suffering to $20,000 from $30,000, and for Family Law Act* claims to $10,000 from $15,000. This endorsement is transferrable.

If you are interested in purchasing this option please call our Ontario Reform information line at 1 877 843 0181 to speak to one of our analysts. Please note that we are experiencing higher call volumes about the reform so we appreciate your patience through longer wait times.

Q5: Will my residential insurance policy be affected by the reform in any way?

No, this reform only affects automobile insurance.

If you have additional questions about how the reform will affect you and your automobile insurance coverage, we invite you to visit the FSCO and IBC websites, or call our Ontario Reform information line at 1 877 843 0181. Please note that we are experiencing higher call volumes about the reform so we appreciate your patience through longer wait times.