If you or someone you know has ever been in a car accident, you may already know all the time and money that can be eaten up while trying to deal with it. Finding out who is at fault, finding out what the extent of the damage is, and dealing with the authorities are just the beginning. Vehicle and property damages must be paid for, as well as whatever medical bills may arise from the accident. Without the right insurance coverage and provider, these problems and costs could fall right onto you.
Although insurance for your car can be expensive, Ontario’s new auto insurance reforms were implemented to help drivers get the coverage they want and need. It is now easier to customize an insurance policy to fit you and your family, so that it can cover everything from medical expenses to house cleaning, in the event of a catastrophic injury.
A Standard Accident Benefits Policy
The medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care part of the standard accident benefits package now covers $50,000 for non-catastrophic injuries, and can be increased to $100,000 or even $1,100,000. In the event of a catastrophic injury, medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care covers $1,000,000 and can be increased by another $1,000,000.
A breakdown of accident benefits insurance can be found here:
Caregiver Benefits
For drivers that have children or family that depend on them, there is a caregiver benefit that will help to provide for your loved ones if you are hurt in an auto accident. The standard coverage offers $250 per week for one dependent, with an additional $50 a week for each additional dependent, if you sustain a catastrophic injury. However, drivers will have the options to increase their coverage to include non-catastrophic injuries, if they so choose.
Home Maintenance
If a car accident leaves the driver in need of help around the house, there is a house keeping and home maintenance option that will help. This option will pay $100 a week for the upkeep of your home, in the event that you receive catastrophic injuries in an accident. Again, customers have the option to increase this coverage to include non-catastrophic injuries if they choose.
Replacing your Income
Income replacement is another option that is there to help drivers, if an accident causes them to miss work and lose wages. This option will pay 70 percent of your current wages, up to $400 per week. Drivers have the option to increase their coverage to $600, $800, or even $1000 per week.
Care of your Dependents
Dependent care is another option that can be chosen to help provide for childcare in the event that you are injured in a car accident. This option offers $75 a week for the first child and $25 a week for each additional child, up to $150 per week.
Funeral Costs
If the worst is to happen, the death and funeral benefit will provide $25,000 to your eligible spouse, $10,000 for each dependent, and up to $6,000 for funeral costs. As with other options, this can be increased depending on your specific needs.
Indexation
Indexation is an option that can be chosen and will adjust your benefits annually, according to the Canadian Consumer Price Index.
