Ontario auto insurance changes took effect on July 1, 2026, making most statutory accident benefits optional. Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory. For people recovering from a motor vehicle accident, the coverage available beyond those core benefits can affect how they manage daily life during recovery. FSRA explains the reform. As Service Director at …
Ontario auto insurance changes took effect on July 1, 2026, making most statutory accident benefits optional. Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory. For people recovering from a motor vehicle accident, the coverage available beyond those core benefits can affect how they manage daily life during recovery. FSRA explains the reform.
As Service Director at Anchor Rehabilitation Support Services, my concern is what those choices mean at home. A person may have an approved rehabilitation plan and still struggle to participate because they are worried about paying the mortgage, caring for their children or keeping their household running.
For occupational therapists, case managers and personal injury lawyers, confirming coverage early helps the whole team build a rehabilitation plan around the client’s needs and available support.
What changed on July 1 2026
The Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, commonly called SABS, sets out accident benefits available after an Ontario motor vehicle collision, subject to eligibility rules. Under the 2026 reform, benefits that are now optional include:
- Income replacement and non-earner benefits.
- Caregiver benefits and housekeeping and home maintenance benefits.
- Death and funeral benefits.
- Expenses of visitors and lost educational expenses.
- Benefits for certain personal items damaged in the collision.
Existing policyholders do not automatically lose these benefits at renewal. FSRA requires policies to renew with their previous coverages and limits unless the customer agrees to changes in writing. New policies and customer-requested changes require careful attention to the options being selected. Read FSRA’s renewal guidance.
Eligibility also matters. Under the new rules, optional benefits apply to the named insured, their spouse, their dependants and the spouse’s dependants, and listed drivers. An injured person’s coverage should be checked against the applicable policies. See the IBAO overview.
Why optional accident benefits matter to recovery
Recovery happens between appointments as well as during them. A client needs enough stability at home to practise strategies, rest when needed and follow through with rehabilitation goals.
When income support is unavailable, a person may feel pressure to return to work before their treatment team considers them ready. If paid help with household tasks is unavailable, relatives may take on more responsibilities while also managing employment and childcare. These pressures can make an otherwise appropriate treatment plan difficult to sustain.
My concern is greatest for households with little financial reserve. A lower premium may meet an immediate budget need, while the consequences of reduced coverage only become clear after a serious injury. The practical question is whether the family could manage the costs and responsibilities that would remain.
Attendant care and caregiver benefits serve different needs
Attendant care benefits remain mandatory. They concern eligible personal care assistance for the injured person. Caregiver benefits concern eligible replacement help when an injured person can no longer provide the care they previously gave to someone else. Housekeeping and home maintenance benefits address a separate set of needs.
Before July 2026, standard caregiver and housekeeping coverage was generally tied to catastrophic impairment, with broader optional coverage available. It was never automatic household help for every injured person. The purchased coverage and eligibility criteria still need to be confirmed. FSRA describes the coverage changes.
What this means for brain injury rehabilitation in Ontario
After a traumatic brain injury, rehabilitation may involve practising daily routines, building safety awareness, using memory strategies and developing skills for community participation. These goals depend on what happens in the client’s usual environment.
For example, a client working on planning and pacing may need support to break a grocery trip into manageable steps. A family member may need coaching to use the same prompts consistently at home. If that family member is also covering extra shifts to replace lost household income, the plan may need adjustment.
Mandatory rehabilitation benefits provide a basis for care, but they do not guarantee unlimited funding or approval of every recommended service. Teams need to confirm the available budget, applicable limits and approved treatment before committing to a service schedule.
How OTs and personal injury referral partners can plan ahead
A coordinated intake can identify coverage questions and practical barriers before they interrupt treatment. I recommend that referral teams:
- Confirm the funding position. Request relevant policy documents and written clarification from the insurer, with legal advice where needed. Record the accident date, coverage changes and approved services.
- Describe the client’s daily needs. Identify difficulties with routines, safety, participation and family responsibilities, including support currently provided by unpaid caregivers.
- Connect documentation to functional goals. Record the assistance required, strategies used, progress observed and barriers that remain so the team can review the plan using clear information.
- Discuss gaps early. Agree on priorities, service coordination and follow-up with the client, family and appropriate professionals. Revisit the plan when needs or confirmed funding change.
This work takes time. Rehabilitation professionals often help families make sense of unfamiliar benefit terms while also delivering care. Clear responsibilities across the treatment team, insurer and legal team can reduce repeated calls and conflicting explanations.
How Anchor supports MVA rehabilitation referrals
Anchor Rehabilitation Support Services brings rehabilitation and behavioural support together for people living with traumatic brain injury and complex needs across Ontario. From our Burlington base, we collaborate with occupational therapists, physicians, case managers, legal teams and insurers.
Our Rehabilitation Therapy Assistants in Ontario help implement individualized programs under the direction of regulated healthcare professionals. They support practical skill development and track how strategies work in everyday environments.
Our behaviour consultation for traumatic brain injury supports clients with emotional regulation, adaptive skills and behavioural challenges that affect daily functioning. Registered Behaviour Analysts collaborate with the wider team to develop and review individualized strategies.
We also provide caregiver education and tailored progress documentation to support clinical communication and legal and insurance files. The aim is consistent implementation of the rehabilitation plan, with useful information shared across the team.
If you are an OT, case manager or personal injury lawyer coordinating an MVA file, submit a rehabilitation referral or book a consultation with Anchor to discuss the client’s needs and potential service fit.
Frequently asked questions about Ontario accident benefits
Is rehabilitation still covered after a car accident in Ontario
Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory after the July 2026 changes. Payment for a particular service still depends on the applicable rules, coverage limits and approval requirements. FSRA’s reform overview explains which benefits remain mandatory.
Are income replacement benefits mandatory in Ontario
Income replacement benefits are now optional. Existing coverage continues at renewal unless the policyholder agrees to changes in writing, so a client’s policy should be checked before assuming the benefit is absent. See FSRA’s guidance.
Who can refer a client to Anchor for rehabilitation support
Occupational therapists, case managers, personal injury lawyers, other healthcare professionals and families can contact Anchor about rehabilitation support. Use our referral form to connect with the intake team.
A rehabilitation plan needs to work in the life a person is returning to. Understanding the available benefits early helps us coordinate support around that reality and keep the client’s independence at the centre of care.
This article provides general information. Ask an insurance broker or insurer about policy options and a qualified legal professional about entitlement or a disputed claim. Coverage depends on the applicable policy and accident benefits rules.
By Sean McGhie, Service Director, Anchor Rehabilitation Support Services Inc.
September 10, 2026
