Ontario runs a "no-fault" system for motor-vehicle accident injuries. That name causes confusion, so it is worth being clear about what it means. It does not mean no one is at fault, and it does not mean you cannot sue. It means that, for a defined set of benefits, you claim from your own insurer regardless of who caused the accident. Those benefits are the Statutory Accident Benefits, usually called the SABS.
Why SABS exist
The idea is to get injured people access to treatment and income support quickly, without first having to prove who was to blame — which can take years in court. So SABS provide a baseline of support that begins soon after the accident, while any separate lawsuit against an at-fault driver proceeds on its own track.
What SABS can include
- Medical and rehabilitation benefits — funding for treatment, therapy, assistive devices, and related care that is reasonable and necessary.
- Attendant care benefits — help with personal care where the injuries require it.
- Income Replacement Benefits (IRB) — partial replacement of lost income if the injuries prevent you from working, subject to eligibility rules and limits.
- Non-earner and other specified benefits — support for those who were not employed, and various other defined benefits such as certain expenses.
How you start a claim
You begin by notifying your insurer and completing an Application for Accident Benefits — a set of standard forms known as the OCF forms (for example, forms identifying the applicant, employment information, and a disability certificate completed by a health practitioner). There are time limits for reporting the accident and submitting these forms after the collision, and missing them can jeopardise benefits, so prompt action matters.
What changed on 1 July 2026
Ontario changed the standard accident-benefits package on 1 July 2026. Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory on every policy. Most of the rest became optional, including income replacement, non-earner and caregiver benefits, housekeeping and home maintenance, lost educational expenses, visitor expenses, damage to personal items, and death and funeral benefits.
There is a second part that catches people out. The benefits that became optional now reach a defined group: the named insured, their spouse, dependants of either, and drivers listed on the policy. A passenger, pedestrian or cyclist who does not fall into one of those categories can still claim the mandatory medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits, but not the optional ones.
The practical consequence is that two people injured in the same collision can now end up with very different entitlements depending on whose policy responds and what that policyholder chose to buy. Check your own declaration page, and check it before you need it.
The version of the SABS matters
The SABS have been amended several times, and the benefits available — and their limits — depend on the version in force on the date of your accident and on the coverage you purchased. Two people with similar injuries can have quite different entitlements because of when their accidents happened or what optional coverage they bought. This is why it is essential to check the rules that apply to your specific accident.
Practical points
- Report the accident to your insurer promptly and keep records of your injuries and treatment.
- Complete the OCF forms carefully and on time.
- Understand that SABS are separate from any lawsuit against the at-fault driver — you may have both.
For education only. Benefit amounts and eligibility depend on your policy and the version of the SABS that applies to your accident date.
This article is general information for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For advice on your situation, book a consultation.