(Photo credit: andyreis/SXC)
When you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, your automobile insurance is expected to help cover the cost of your recovery and any damage done to your vehicle or anyone else involved.
Unfortunately, the Ontario government has introduced changes that will restrict the amount of coverage a victim will be entitled to from their insurance provider.
The definition of catastrophic injuries is expected to become restrictive and follow medical evidence, which unfortunately means that clients who once qualified for this coverage by combining physical and psychological damages will no longer be able to do so.
Also, the coverage available to those with catastrophic injuries will be effectively cut in half since victims will be limited to $1 million for both med/rehab AND attendant care together. In the past, victims had a $1 million limit for med/rehab and a separate $1 million limit for attendant care. There will be optional coverage offered to boost coverage to $2 million, but it’s not expected many people will choose this option. Along with that, med/rehab benefits will be reduced to five years from 10 years, except for children.
Non-catastrophic injury coverage will also be reduced with the limit for med/rehab and attendant care dropping to $65,000 from $86,000. There will be optional coverage made available to increase this coverage to $1 million.
These changes to attendant care and medical and rehab benefits comes after the government already quietly added restrictions to these claims.
Also, non-earner benefits, which is when a victim doesn’t qualify for income replacement benefits and isn’t able to carry on with their normal life, will only be provided for two years after the accident.
The Insurance Act will see further amendments, which will tie the deductible amount to inflation, and will affect the tort deductible. These changes will all affect a victim’s recovery.
The personal injury and accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers have been handling motor vehicle accident injuries for clients throughout Ontario for over 45 years. We understand the impacts injuries can have on your life and know how to help you. Call us at 416-920-4242. Set up a free consultation and come talk with us.
Greg Neinstein
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