Auto Insurance Renewal in 2026: 7 Questions Every Ontario Driver Should Ask

If you are an Ontario driver renewing your auto insurance in 2026, the timing matters more than you may realize. Major changes to Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) take effect on July 1, 2026, and these reforms will directly impact the accident benefit coverage available after a motor vehicle accident.

Many drivers assume their policy will protect them the same way it always has. Unfortunately, that assumption may lead to reduced benefits, higher out of pocket expenses, or unexpected disputes with insurers following a serious collision. Understanding these changes now gives you the opportunity to make informed decisions before an accident happens.

Below are 7 essential questions to ask your insurance broker before renewing your policy and why each one matters.

1. How Will the 2026 SABS Changes Affect My Accident Benefit Coverage?

The first question should be the most direct. Ask your broker exactly how the upcoming SABS reforms will alter your accident benefit coverage.

As of July 1, 2026, Ontario’s auto insurance system will introduce new benefit structures, eligibility criteria, and optional coverage choices. Certain benefits that were formerly standard may become optional, capped, or subject to stricter qualification requirements. This includes benefits tied to income replacement, non-earner benefits, death and funeral benefits, etc.

Understanding these default changes is critical, as many drivers may receive less coverage simply by renewing without adjustment.

2. What Accident Benefits Are No Longer Included by Default in 2026?

Historically, many Ontario auto policies included a baseline level of accident benefits unless drivers actively changed them. Under the 2026 framework, more responsibility shifts to the policyholder.

Ask your broker which benefits are no longer automatic, and which now require an explicit opt in. Optional benefits may include enhanced medical and rehabilitation limits, income replacement benefits, housekeeping and home maintenance benefits,  caregiver benefits, increased coverage for catastrophic injuries, etc.

Failing to elect optional accident benefit coverage could leave you underinsured in a serious accident.

3. Are Medical and Rehabilitation Benefits Being Reduced or Restructured in 2026?

Medical and rehabilitation benefits are often the most heavily used accident benefits following a serious collision. These benefits pay for physiotherapy, psychological treatment, occupational therapy, and other essential care.

There are caps and duration limits for medical and rehabilitation benefits.

This is a critical discussion point with your broker, especially if you or your family members have preexisting health conditions that could complicate recovery after an accident. It is important that you speak with your broker to ensure you have adequate coverage for medical and rehabilitation benefits.

4. Will Income Replacement Benefits Still Protect Me If I Cannot Work?

Income replacement benefits provide financial support if you are unable to work due to accident-related injuries.  While income replacement benefits are currently mandatory, the changes in 2026 will mean that these benefits are now optional and you will need to opt-in to be eligible for these benefits.

If you do not have access to long-term disability benefits or other income replacement benefits, it is really important you have access to income replacement benefits to protect you if you are in an accident.

An experienced accident benefits lawyer in Ontario drivers rely on often sees disputes arise where income replacement coverage was misunderstood at renewal.

5. What Happens If I Need Attendant Care or Long-term Assistance?

Serious injuries can require personal care assistance for basic daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and mobility. Attendant care benefits help cover those costs.

Ask your broker whether standard attendant care limits are changing in 2026 and whether you should consider increasing them through optional coverage. The cost of long-term assistance can be substantial, and inadequate coverage often leads to disputes between injured parties and insurers.

6. How Do These Changes Affect My Right to Dispute Insurer Decisions?

SABS reforms do not only affect benefit amounts. They also influence how claims are assessed and disputed.

The Ontario courts have repeatedly emphasized the importance of a fair and remedial interpretation of benefit entitlement. In Kusnierz v. Economical Mutual Insurance Co., 2011 ONCA 823, the Ontario Court of Appeal highlighted that the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) should be interpreted broadly to ensure victims receive necessary support. The court famously ruled that physical and psychological impairments must be combined to determine if a claimant meets the "catastrophic impairment" threshold, preventing strict technicalities from unfairly limiting access to enhanced benefits. This landmark case continues to be a cornerstone for how adjudicators and insurers evaluate complex entitlement claims under the SABS.

As the rules change in 2026, understanding how disputes may arise becomes even more important. 

7. What Happens If I Get Into an Accident and Did Not Have Adequate Coverage?

This is something that Ontario drivers should be concerned about and take proactive steps to avoid. That said, most people will rely on insurance brokers for advice when determining the insurance benefits that they should purchase. Insurance brokers have an obligation to act in your best interests. If an insurance broker has failed to properly explain the options available to you and, as a result, you did not have appropriate coverage, there is the possibility to bring a claim against the broker who provided the negligent guidance.

Preparing for 2026 Starts Now

Renewing your auto insurance in 2026 is not a routine task. The July 1st SABS reforms mark one of the most significant shifts in Ontario accident benefit coverage in years.

By asking the right questions now and understanding your options, you place yourself in a much stronger position if the unexpected occurs. If you are unsure how these changes affect you, speaking with a legal professional who has experience with accident benefits can help clarify your rights and protect your future. Contact us today to obtain further clarification.