Guide to Ontario’s OPCF 44R: Family Protection Coverage
What is OPCF 44R?
Ontario Policy Change Form 44R, better known as Family Protection Coverage, is a standard endorsement included in most auto insurance policies in Ontario to ensure coverage for your expenses if you’re seriously injured or killed by a driver with insufficient third-party liability coverage.
In Ontario, first-party accident benefits through your own insurer are the first line of coverage for car accident injuries, along with public and private health insurance coverage. But in cases of serious injury or death, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance can help to cover your costs.
However, medical expenses after a serious injury can quickly blow past the other driver’s third-party liability limit if they only carry the minimum $200,000 required by provincial law. Enter Family Protection Coverage, which fills in coverage gaps and covers you up to the liability limit on your own policy if you or a family member is injured or killed by an underinsured driver.
You can download OPCF 44R from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) website.
What does OPCF 44R cover?
OPCF 44R covers compensatory damages for the named insured and eligible family members that would normally be paid by the at-fault driver’s insurance company if the at-fault driver’s liability limit is insufficient.
OPCF 44R covers medical expenses not covered by the at-fault party’s liability insurance or by your own accident benefits and health insurance. Compensatory damages may also include funeral costs, lost wages, and other costs associated with motor vehicle injuries. OPCF 44R claims will cover up to the liability limit on your own auto insurance policy or to the limit listed on your family protection endorsement form, if applicable.
For the purposes of OPCF 44R, eligible family members include:
- Your spouse, including common-law spouses
- Any dependent relatives of yourself and your spouse
OPCF 44R covers you and your family members whether or not you’re a vehicle occupant at the time of the injury. If you’re walking on the street and get hit by a car, your family protection coverage applies.
Is OPCF 44R mandatory?
OPCF 44R is not mandatory. Like all auto insurance endorsements, family protection can be removed from your policy if you choose.
That said, it’s such a valuable and common endorsement that insurance companies typically include it by default in all policies. If you buy car insurance online, you may not have the option to remove this coverage from your quote without calling an agent to request its removal.
While it’s possible to remove family protection coverage from your policy, insurance experts recommend keeping it. OPCF 44R is designed to ensure that all your expenses are covered in the event of a catastrophic motor vehicle accident, which can happen to anyone.
What does OPCF 44R not cover?
It’s important to understand the restrictions and limitations that apply to OPCF 44R as well as the difference between family protection coverage and uninsured automobile coverage:
- Uninsured vs. underinsured motorist coverage: All auto insurance policies in Ontario include uninsured automobile coverage, which applies to accidents where the at-fault driver is either unidentified (e.g., a hit-and-run) or uninsured entirely. OPCF 44R, on the other hand, applies to cases where the at-fault driver is insured but has insufficient liability limits to cover your costs.
- Bodily injury only: Family protection coverage only applies to bodily injury cases, not to vehicle damage.
How much does it cost to add OPCF 44R?
Because OPCF 44R is included by default in most auto insurance policies in Ontario and can’t be removed without consulting an agent, we don’t have sample rates for comparison; however, this optional endorsement typically only raises your premium by a few dollars a month.
Who needs OPCF 44R?
OPCF 44R is a good option for every driver in Ontario, because any driver has the potential to sustain serious injuries in a car accident.
As auto insurance rates in Ontario continue to rise, underinsured drivers may make up a greater percentage of operators on the road. Medical costs are rising as well, meaning that even higher limits of liability may be insufficient in the event of a serious accident.
With OPCF 44R, a few dollars a month can mean the difference between struggling to cover your costs in the event of a serious accident and peace of mind knowing your policy has your back even in catastrophic circumstances.
FAQ: OPCF 44R
This article is for general information only and is not insurance or legal advice. Examples and any sample quotes or rate ranges are illustrative and do not constitute an offer or guarantee of coverage, price, or eligibility. Actual coverage, discounts, and premiums depend on your individual circumstances and the insurer provider; if there is any discrepancy, your policy and insurer documentation govern. For advice about your situation, speak with one of our licensed insurance professionals.