I hit something with my car. What should I do?

Safety first – if you hit something and anyone is injured, always call the police as soon as possible. Assuming no injuries, here are some steps you can take to get things taken care of. Don’t stress, we’re here to help. As with any collision: Exchange information with the other people involved. Pro tip: take a photo of the other party’s driver’s licence, pink slip and the licence plate and you have all the info you need! (Important info: name, contact details, licence plate number, vehicle information [year, make, model], insurance company name and policy number). If the other party doesn't cooperate, try to get at least the licence plate number. If the other person isn’t around, be sure to leave a note with your contact information. If you don’t, there are some pretty hefty consequences; like being charged with failure to remain on the scene, or potentially being deemed at fault. Report your claim to us as soon as possible. You can reach the Claims team at 1-844-472-7905. They will guide you to your nearest Collision Reporting Centre, and the next steps. Think the claim is small, and want to see if you can take care of the damages yourself? See our question on "What is a minor claim?"

I've been in a collision with someone who doesn't have insurance or hasn't provided the info. What do I do?

Here are some steps you can take in a scenario like this: Get the driver’s license information of the other driver. If the driver is not willing to provide this, take a photo of the license plate / write it down. Take photos of the damage, and of the other car if you can. Call the police. Even if the accident is minor, collisions with an uninsured driver must be legally documented. The police officer may direct you to a Collision Reporting Centre where you must provide all the information you have about the car and the plate number. Contact your insurance carrier to get your claim started. Call 1-844-472-7905 and choose the Claims option. Alternatively, you can find your carrier's direct number on your pink slip or certificate of insurance.

Someone hit my car and drove off. What should I do?

There are two scenarios to consider when someone hits your car and drives off. You have no idea who hit you: Report the damage to the Collision Reporting Centre, preferably within 24 hours but no later than 48 hours. Keep in mind you MUST report to the nearest Collision Reporting Center in the jurisdiction where the collision took place, and not the location closest to your home address. You can consult your policy documents to confirm if you have coverage for Collision and take note of your deductible. Report a claim and your insurance company will take care of you! Call 1-844-472-7905, choose the Claims option and select your insurance company. Alternatively, you can find your provider's direct number on your pink slip or certificate of insurance. You have the information of the person who hit you (e.g. they left a note, or there was a witness): Same as above. If it is possible to identify the person who hit you, AND they have insurance, we may be able to settle the claim using your Direct Compensation Property Damage coverage, which has a deductible of $0. A small silver lining: if you are the victim of a hit and run the claim is considered a ‘not at fault’.

My vehicle was stolen. What do I do?

We’re sorry to hear this happened to you! Please notify us as soon as possible about the incident. Simply give us a call at 1-844-472-7905 and select the Claims option. You should also fill out a police report as soon as possible. Note: If the vehicle is recovered, please contact your insurance carrier's claims department before driving it.

I'm getting sued / received a statement of claim. What do I do now?

If you receive a notice that you are being sued, be sure to let your insurance carrier know right away. Call 1-844-472-7905, choose the Claims option and select your insurance carrier. Alternatively, you can find your provider's direct number on your pink slip or certificate of insurance. When you are at fault for an auto collision, the other party damaged has the right to sue you for bodily injury and/or property damage. They normally send you a letter to advise that they are holding you responsible, including a description of the damage and the amount sought. Sometimes, a Statement of Claim is the first notice you receive instead of a letter. This is an official legal document advising you that there is a suit filed against you. It must be served by a process server. We will review the Statement of Claim and hire a lawyer to defend any covered claim. During discoveries, we will uncover all the verified information to present to the court. FYI: Do not discuss anything with the other party or their lawyer(s), and do not sign anything! Your insurer is responsible for representing you.

What happens if I get sued because of a collision?

We all hope these things never happen, but they do — that’s why you buy insurance. Assuming you had a valid auto insurance policy at the time of the collision, your liability coverage would respond up to the limit you have purchased. If you are being sued, call 1-844-472-7905 and select the Claims option. Alternatively, you can find your provider's direct number on your pink slip or certificate of insurance.

Do I have to use my insurance company's people to fix my car?

There is no legal requirement to use your insurance carrier's preferred vendor if you don’t want to. However, preferred vendors offer key benefits: • They have a solid history of quality work. • Their work is audited regularly. • Repairs are warrantied. Your insurer cannot warranty work done by non-preferred shops. Need more info? Call your carrier's Claims team via 1-844-472-7905.

What is the difference between a minor, major and criminal conviction?

In Ontario, there are three categories of driving convictions: minor, major, and criminal. Minor convictions: Failing to signal Failing to wear a seat belt Speeding Major convictions: Distracted driving Failure to report an accident Speeding in a school zone Criminal convictions: Impaired driving Racing or stunt driving Driving with a suspended license

When is my car totalled?

Your insurance company will assess several factors when considering whether to repair or replace your vehicle: • Whether it can be safely repaired • Whether repair costs exceed the vehicle's market value If the car is a total loss, settlement is made on the actual cash value.

My car is a total loss or write off. What's next?

Refer to your pink slip for your insurance carrier's phone number to notify them of the total loss. You then need to either call us to cancel the policy, or let us know if you intend to substitute the vehicle with a new one. If you're using a rental car in the meantime, don't cancel your policy until you return your rental vehicle.

Will I have to pay a deductible to repair my windshield?

Typically windshield repairs are covered by your comprehensive insurance, but it depends on your insurance company and the extent of the damage.

Where can I get my windshield repaired?

Please contact your insurance carrier listed on your pink slip for details on where to get your windshield repaired.

How do you determine at fault after a collision?

In Ontario, insurers must follow the Fault Determination Rules set out by law. If the exact scenario isn’t covered by these rules, insurers apply the ‘rules of the road’ in the local jurisdiction. If you disagree with their determination, contact your insurance company’s Claims team for clarification.

How do you calculate the value of my vehicle?

If a car is considered a total loss, several factors determine value: • Year, make, model • Kilometres • Non-custom modification details • Recent repairs with documentation • Market value of similar vehicles • Depreciation Your claims adjuster can walk you through the specifics.

What is a minor claim?

A minor claim is defined as: • Combined damage to all vehicles/property under $2,000 • No bodily injuries • No insurer pays for damages If these conditions are met, you may choose not to submit a claim. FYI: If classified as minor by your carrier, it usually will not impact your premium.

I've heard that most parking accidents are at fault. Is that true?

Parking collisions follow Fault Determination Rules. Common examples: • Leaving a parking space — driver is usually at fault • Hitting a legally parked car — always at fault • Ignoring traffic signs in lots — often at fault For help after a parking collision, call 1-844-472-7905 and select your insurance provider in the Claims menu.

2026 Accident Benefit Reforms

General questions about SABS optionality changes

Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario is making changes to auto insurance to give drivers more choice and flexibility. Drivers will be able to choose benefits to fit their needs. Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits will remain mandatory to ensure everyone has access to essential recovery support. All other accident benefit coverages, such as income replacement, will become optional. Who is covered for these optional benefits under your policy will also change.
Starting July 1, 2026, newly optional 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
Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits will continue to be included in all auto insurance policies. These benefits are available regardless of who caused the accident. They cover medical expenses, therapy, and personal care assistance for injuries from an accident including doctor visits, physiotherapy, and help with daily activities like bathing and dressing.
To provide drivers with more choice and flexibility, all other accident benefits will be optional, including:
· Income replacement: Helps replace income you or another covered person may lose because of an auto accident.
· Non-earner: If you or another covered person is a student or unemployed and an auto accident keeps you from leading a normal life, this benefit can provide financial support while you recover.
· Caregiver benefits: Helps cover caregiving expenses if you or another covered person is injured in an auto accident and can no longer provide care for a household member, such as a child or aging parent, who needs it.
· Lost educational expenses: If an auto accident keeps you or another covered person from attending school or an education program, this benefit can help cover the costs you have lost.
· Expenses of visitors: Helps cover reasonable and necessary expenses of visitors, such as a sibling or parents, if you or another covered person is injured in an auto accident.
· Housekeeping and home maintenance: Helps cover costs if you or another covered person is unable to perform the housekeeping and home maintenance tasks normally done before an auto accident.
· Damage to personal items: Helps cover the cost to repair or replace personal items (e.g., clothing, prescription eyewear, hearing aids, etc.) damaged in an auto accident.
· Death benefits: Compensates some family members if you or another covered person die due to an auto accident.
· Funeral benefits: Helps cover some funeral costs if you or another covered person die due to an auto accident.
Supplementary medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits, dependant care benefits, and indexation will continue to be optional.
Every policyholder can add or remove optional accident benefits from their policy.
Some Ontarians already pay for benefits through their employer or private insurance plans. These reforms eliminate a one-size-fits-all approach, and consumers will no longer have to pay for benefits they may already have elsewhere or do not want to buy.
Starting July 1, 2026, you can tailor your auto insurance to fit your personal situation. That means you will not have to pay for optional benefits you do not need, and you can choose to add optional benefits that provide extra protection for you and your family.
Ontario’s is making changes to auto insurance that puts consumers in the driver’s seat – providing you with more choice and control over your coverage to fit your needs. If you choose to remove benefits that have now become optional from your existing coverage, it may impact your premium.
Before deciding to remove or add optional benefits, you should take the following steps:
· Review your current coverage (if you are an existing customer)
· Know what benefits you already have today through your auto insurance policy.
· Review your workplace or private benefits plan
· You may already have coverage through your employer, private benefits plan, or life and health insurance providers.
· Think about your needs
· Consider which coverage is right for you and whether opting out is practical.
· Speak to your insurer, agent or broker
· They can help explain your options in relation to your auto insurance coverage.
Make informed decisions; choose the benefits that best fit your needs.
To learn more about optional benefits, speak with your insurer, agent or broker. You can also contact us via live chat or call 1-844-472-7905 to explore custom insurance solutions with our licensed brokers.
You can also visit What Ontario Drivers Need to Know about 2026 Accident Benefits Reforms for more information.
Before speaking with your insurer, agent or broker, you should review your current auto insurance policy to better understand what coverage you currently have and think about your needs. Thoroughly review your personal or work benefits to see if they already provide similar coverage.
To help you get started, you can take our self-assessment checklist quiz here.
Yes, if you’re a renewing customer, all accident benefits except medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care will become optional. Your policy will renew automatically with your current coverage and limits, unless you agree with your insurer in writing to decline certain benefits or make changes to them. You can review and update your coverage based on your needs. Before making changes, check if your personal or work benefits already provide similar coverage.
Although your current policy will renew with the same coverage and limits, who is covered for newly optional accident benefits under your policy will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of renewal effective date.
Customers who are purchasing or renewing a policy on or after July 1, 2026, can choose which optional accident benefits they would like to purchase. Ask your insurer, agent or broker which benefits are included in your quote. You may want to add optional benefits to your policy based on your needs.

You may need to change your optional accident benefits if your situation changes, such as starting a new job, having children, or taking on caregiving responsibilities. You can change your optional benefits at any time, but only the coverage in place at the time of an auto accident will apply to your claim. To update your coverage, contact your insurer, agent, or broker to review your options and make sure your policy reflects your current needs.
Yes, you can choose to remove or update your auto insurance coverage by agreeing with your insurer in writing to decline certain benefits or make changes to them. Before deciding to remove or add coverage, review your current policy to understand what you’re covered for, think about your needs and thoroughly review if your personal or work benefits already provide similar coverage. Speak to your insurer, agent, or broker to explore your options and choose the benefits that best fit your needs.
If you are shopping for a new policy on or after July 1, 2026, you may choose which optional accident benefits you’d like to purchase. Ask your insurer, agent, or broker which benefits are included in your quote. You may want to add optional benefits to your policy based on your needs.
Speak to your insurer, agent, or broker to add the optional accident benefits to your auto insurance policy.
Yes, the changes to accident benefits optionality will impact all drivers and auto insurance policies in Ontario, including personal private passenger, commercial, motorcycle, snowmobile, and all-terrain vehicle policies.
You may be covered for certain accident benefits coverage when renting a car. Remember to review your auto insurance policy and the rental contract to understand what you’re covered for.
As of July 1, 2026, optional accident benefits coverage will only apply to the named insured, their spouse, dependants of the named insured and of the named insured’s spouse, and listed drivers. Passengers injured in an auto accident will not be covered for optional benefits unless they fall into one of these groups under an auto insurance policy that includes optional benefits. However, standard accident benefits will still apply to all passengers.
Standard accident benefits will still apply to uninsured pedestrians and cyclists. Optional accident benefits coverage will only apply to the named insured, their spouse, dependants of the named insured, the name insured’s spouse, and listed drivers. Pedestrians and cyclists injured in an auto accident will not be covered for optional benefits unless they fall into one of these groups under an auto insurance policy that includes optional benefits.
There is no impact to ongoing claims, the auto insurance coverage you had at the time of the accident applies to your claim.
If you are injured in an auto accident, you may have coverage through both your auto insurance and your supplementary health insurance plan. Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario is making changes to ensure that auto insurance will pay first for medical or rehabilitation benefits (except for medication costs) for any injury sustained in an auto accident. This means your auto insurance provider will cover these costs before your workplace or private health plan, helping you preserve those benefits for other life events.

Disclaimer

The descriptions of the statutory accident benefits in this document is 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 insurer, agent, or broker.

2026 Accident Benefit Reforms

General questions about SABS optionality changes

What changes are coming to accident benefits on July 1, 2026?

Who is covered?

Which accident benefits will become optional?

Which accident benefits will remain mandatory?

Who can purchase optional benefits under an auto insurance policy?

Why would someone choose to add or remove or decline optional benefits?

How does removing optional benefits affect my insurance premiums?

What steps should I follow to determine which optional benefits suit my needs and confirm if I have the appropriate coverage?

Where can I find more information about optional insurance coverage?

What information do I need to know before speaking to my insurer, agent or broker?

What if I have an existing policy? Will these changes affect me?

How will this impact me if I’m buying insurance for the first time or starting a new policy on or after July 1, 2026?

Can I change my optional benefits after I've selected them?

Can I remove optional benefits from my policy if I no longer need them?

Can I remove or add optional benefits if I start a new policy?

How can I add optional benefits to my policy?

Will these changes affect all drivers / types of auto insurance policies?

Do accident benefits, including the optional coverages I purchased, apply when renting a car?

Will passengers in my car still be covered if I opt-out of certain coverages?

What happens to uninsured pedestrians and cyclists?

What should I do if I have an ongoing claim when the changes take effect?

If I have both auto insurance and a supplementary health insurance plan, which one do I claim from first if I’m injured in an auto accident?

Disclaimer