Statutory Accident Benefits Explained: What They Cover and How They Work
What are statutory accident benefits (SABS)?
Statutory accident benefits (SABS) are a form of no-fault auto insurance coverage that permits drivers to file claims for medical costs, rehabilitation, income replacement, and more if they’re injured in a car accident.
- Accident benefits are a mandatory part of Ontario car insurance.
- Accident benefits apply regardless of fault—you don’t have to wait for an adjuster to make a fault determination to file an accident benefits claim with your insurance company.
Accident benefits can be increased beyond the minimum required limits.
What do statutory accident benefits cover?
Statutory accident benefits cover a wide range of medical expenses and related costs if you’re injured in an automobile accident. This includes everything from your ambulance and hospital bills at the time of the accident to income replacement, childcare expenses, and tuition reimbursement if your injuries cause a significant disruption to your daily life.
Accident benefits exist to reduce the financial burden of car accident injuries on individuals—and to keep that burden out of courtrooms. Because accident benefits operate as no-fault insurance (that is, your own insurance company covers your costs no matter who’s at fault), you can have your expenses covered without resorting to a personal injury lawsuit or drawn-out third-party liability claim.
We’ll break down the exact benefits included in the Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule in the sections below.
Medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits
The key benefits included in SABS are medical and rehabilitation benefits, which will cover:
- All medical, surgical, ambulance, hospital, and nursing services required as a result of the accident
- Medication
- Physiotherapy, chiropractic, psychological, and occupational therapy services
- Dental services, including dentures
- Wheelchairs and other mobility devices
- Prescription eyewear
- Transportation to treatment sessions
- Rehabilitation services including family counseling, life skills training, financial counseling, and vocational training
- Modifications to your workplace, home, or vehicle
The primary goal of statutory accident benefits for rehabilitation is to “facilitate the person’s reintegration into his or her family, the rest of society and the labour market.” In other words, these benefits will pay for the counseling or accommodations you need to get back to normal life and your regular job.
If the impairment you sustained as a result of the accident wasn’t minor, you’ll also qualify for attendant care benefits: reasonable and necessary expenses for services of an attendant, aide, or long-term care home
As of July 1, 2026, medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits are the only statutory accident benefits required by law in Ontario. All other accident benefits are technically optional benefits—even if they’re offered by default by your insurance company.
Income replacement, non-earner, and caregiver benefits
If you were employed at the time of the accident and suffer a “substantial inability” to perform your essential job functions as a result of car accident injuries, you may be eligible for income replacement benefits.
Duration of income replacement benefits: Your insurance company is only required to pay income replacement benefits after the first week of disability. After the first 104 weeks, if you’re able to engage in any form of employment that you’re reasonably suited and qualified for, your insurance company’s obligation to continue income replacement ends.
Amount of income replacement benefits: Income replacement benefits typically entitle you to 70% of your gross income, up to a minimum limit of $400 per week; however, recent changes to the law mean that your income replacement benefits may be subject to your insurance policy’s specific terms.
For accident victims who aren’t employed on the date of the accident, including students and stay-at-home parents, non-earner benefits are available to provide financial assistance if the insured person suffers “a complete inability to carry on a normal life.”
Finally, if you’re responsible for caregiving services to a person in your household and aren’t able to continue giving care as a result of your injuries, the caregiver benefit will provide some additional payment.
Other expenses
Your accident benefits may cover a range of other costs associated with car accident injuries, including:
- Lost educational expenses if you’re unable to continue your studies
- Housekeeping and home maintenance costs
- Travel and accommodation for family members visiting you in the hospital
- Damage to your clothing, eyewear, or medical equipment such as prostheses
- Death and funeral benefits
- Childcare expenses
You may also choose to add an optional indexation benefit, which ensures that your accident benefits will keep pace with inflation as healthcare costs rise over time.
Summary: What do accident benefits cover?
What statutory accident benefits don’t cover
Statutory accident benefits cover an astonishing host of expenses, but they won’t pay for everything. Key exclusions from SABS include:
- Any costs that exceed your stated policy maximums
- Experimental medical treatments
- Full income replacement
- Most expenses beyond 104 weeks after the accident unless the injury was catastrophic
- Property damage, including any damage to your vehicle
- Any costs covered by other primary insurance (such as provincial healthcare or a private health insurance plan)
Statutory accident benefits exist to provide reliable, time-limited coverage for necessary costs associated with car accident injuries to reduce the number of personal injury lawsuits. They’re not intended to cover all of your expenses in perpetuity, so it’s essential to understand where and when your coverage ends.
As of July 1, 2026, all optional SABS benefits will only apply to:
- The named insured
- The spouse and dependents of the named insured (and/or their spouse)
- Anyone specifically listed on the policy as an insured driver
This excludes a number of people who were previously covered by all SABS benefits, such as non-listed drivers (e.g. a friend borrowing your car), extended family members, and passengers not directly related to you.
Your medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits will still apply broadly to anyone involved in an accident involving your insured vehicle, regardless of their relationship to you as the named insured.
How statutory accident benefits work
Let’s look at an example of how accident benefits actually work in the event of a motor vehicle accident.
Walter and Sharon are in a motor vehicle crash in the middle of rush hour. Walter sustains several non-catastrophic injuries, including bruises, lacerations, whiplash, and a partial dislocation of his shoulder. Sharon sustains a traumatic brain injury and crush injuries that require amputation of both legs above the knee.
How to customize your accident benefits coverage
Ontario law establishes minimum coverage requirements for accident benefits. Any auto insurance policy you purchase in Ontario will include this standard SABS package, but you can increase your coverage limits, add optional coverage, and tailor your benefits to meet your specific needs and priorities.
The option to customize accident benefits isn’t always obvious, and you may need to work directly with an advisor to make sure you’re getting the right level of coverage.
Standard accident benefits package
A standard accident benefits package will include the following mandatory minimum coverage for medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits:
- For minor injuries: Up to $3,500
- For non-catastrophic injuries: Up to $65,000
- For catastrophic impairments: Up to $1 million
After July 1, 2026, all other accident benefits are considered optional and may not be included with your standard coverage.
Custom limits for accident benefits
* If you raise your policy limits to $1 million for non-catastrophic injuries and $2 million for catastrophic injuries, you’ll be able to access a combined total of $3 million for catastrophic injuries.
The options to increase or customize your accident benefits vary from insurer to insurer and may be complex to understand. It’s a good idea to speak directly with a licensed insurance advisor to make sure you’re choosing the right limits and not overlooking any opportunities to protect your finances or save on premiums.
Are statutory accident benefits enough to cover real-life costs?
Statutory accident benefits exist as a safety net to keep car accident victims out of immediate financial collapse in the event of a serious crash. A key goal of SABS is to reduce personal injury lawsuits, not to cover all of your post-accident costs.
The reality is that statutory accident benefits often aren’t enough to cover all of your real-life costs following a car accident. Take income replacement benefits, which are typically capped at 70% of your gross income and can’t exceed $400 per week if you chose the standard option. That’s a fraction of the median after-tax income in Ontario—a significant step down for most households.
When it comes to medical and rehabilitation costs, the standard limits of $65,000 for non-catastrophic injuries and $1 million for catastrophic impairment might seem generous, but ongoing healthcare and rehabilitation costs can add up quickly, especially with rising healthcare costs.
How to apply for statutory accident benefits
After a motor vehicle crash, you must apply for statutory accident benefits promptly. Follow these steps.
1. Notify your insurance company
Contact your insurance broker or advisor and let them know that an accident took place. You’ll need to be ready to share:
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- Your description of the crash, including the vehicles involved
- Contact information and insurance details of any other drivers
- A description of your injuries
By law, you have 7 days after the accident to notify your insurance company of the crash. If you’re unable to make the report within 7 days, let your insurer know as soon as possible.
2. Fill out your accident benefits forms
When you notify them of the crash, your insurance company will send you a package of accident benefit forms to complete. These may include the following:
3. Stay on top of receipts and communication
Accident benefits claims can take a while, because recovery from car accident injuries is not always a quick process. If your injuries were significant enough to require ongoing treatment or interruption to your work and daily life, be prepared to keep careful records of any services associated with the crash as well as any communication with your insurance company.
The more diligent you are in keeping track of your expenses and correspondence related to your SABS claim, the easier it will be to resolve the financial side of your recovery.
FAQ: Statutory accident benefits
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.