To drive in Ontario, you must secure coverage through a private insurer that meets the minimum provincial regulations. In the province, $200,000 in third-party liability coverage is mandatory.
The chart below provides a summary of minimum coverages required by the Ontario government. Please refer to the list of sources for more details.
This information is for educational purposes only. We recommend you consult a qualified insurance professional for further assistance.
As of January 1, 2017
Compulsory minimum third-party liability: | $200,000 is available for any one accident; however, if a claim involving both bodily injury and property damage reaches this figure, payment for property damage will be capped at $10,000 |
Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD) Required: | Yes |
Medical payments: | Up to $3,500/person for minor injury; up to $65,000/person for combined medical and attendant care for non-minor and non-catastrophic injury for up to 5 years (longer for children; paid only as long as person remains medically eligible); up to $1 million for combined medical and attendant care for catastrophic injury |
Funeral expense benefits: | $6,000 (if optional indexation coverage is purchased, this amount may be higher) |
Disability income benefits: | Income Replacement Benefit: 70% of gross wages to maximum $400/week, minimum $185/week for 104 weeks (longer if victim is unable to pursue any suitable occupation); nothing is payable for the first seven days of disability. Non-earner Benefit (disabled unemployed persons, students enrolled in education full time, or students who completed their education less than one year before the accident and are not employed): $185/week for 104 weeks; four-week wait; limit two years; Not available if the insured is eligible for, and elects to receive, the income replacement or caregiver benefit |
Death benefits: | Death within 180 days of accident (or three years if continuously disabled prior to death); $25,000 to spouse, $10,000 to each surviving dependant, $10,000 to each parent/guardian (if optional indexation coverage is purchased, these amounts may be higher) |
Impairment benefits: | N/A |
Right to sue for pain and suffering? | Yes, if injury meets severity test (called “threshold”), and subject to deductible. Lawsuit allowed only if injured person dies or sustains permanent and serious disfigurement and/or impairment of important physical, mental or psychological function. The court assesses damages and deducts $37,385.17 ($18,692.59 for a Family Law Act claim) |
Right to sue for economic loss in excess of no-fault benefits? | Yes. Income replacement award above no-fault benefit is based on net income after deductions for income tax, Canada Pension and Employment Insurance. Injured person may sue for 70% of net income loss before trial, 100% of gross after trial; also for medical, rehabilitation and related costs when injury meets severity test for pain and suffering claims |
Administration: | Private insurers |
Sources:
All online sources were accessed on April 1, 2017.
On April 11, 2017 the Ontario government released a report on auto insurance, which recommends a major overhaul of the current system.
Fair Benefits Fairly Delivered: A Review of the Auto Insurance System in Ontario (by David Marshall)
Studies about the auto insurance system in Ontario: