TERMS TO UNDERSTAND

Accident Benefits
Accident Benefits refer to coverage that is paid when an insured is injured or killed in an automobile accident. This coverage is provided regardless of who was at-fault in the accident.

Assessment Costs
These are fees that are paid to health professionals to complete certificates, examinations and reports for the purpose of establishing eligibility for benefits.

Attendant Care Benefit
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident and require an aide or attendant to look after you – either at home or in a healthcare facility – this benefit is intended to cover the associated expense.

Caregiver, Housekeeping and Home Maintenance Benefit
If you are providing full-time care to dependants and can no longer do so as the result of a car accident, the caregiver benefit reimburses you for the expense of hiring someone to provide that care. If you are unable to perform your usual housekeeping or home maintenance duties, this corresponding benefits pay for someone to complete them.

Catastrophic Injury

"catastrophic impairment" means

• Paraplegia or quadriplegia

• The total and permanent loss (or loss of use) of an arm or leg

• Total loss of vision in both eyes

• A brain impairment that results in a score of 9 or less on the Glasgow Coma Scale

• A brain impairment that results in a score of 2 or 3 on the Glasgow Outcome Scale

• Impairment of 55% or more of the whole person.

Collision or Upset Coverage
When your vehicle is involved in a collision with another vehicle or object (or rolls over), this benefit is intended to pay for its repair or replacement.

Comprehensive Coverage
This benefit is intended to repair damage to your car not arising from an accident, such as falling or flying objects and vandalism.

Death and Funeral Benefit
If you die as a result of a car accident, this benefit provides a lump sum payment to your spouse and dependants, with an additional payment to cover funeral expenses.

Deductible
An agreement included in your policy for you to pay the first portion of any loss.

Dependant Care Benefit
If you are employed and have dependants (i.e. people relying on you for financial support), this optional benefit is intended to pay additional expenses incurred for their care. These dependants may include, for example, your children or elderly persons in your care.

Direct Compensation – Property Damage (DCPD) Coverage

If another licensed Ontario driver is at fault in a car accident, this benefit provides for your own insurer to cover the repairs of damage to your vehicle and its contents.

Income Replacement Benefit
This benefit replace a portion of your income if you cannot work as the result of a car accident.

Indexation Benefit
This optional benefit provides for the automatic adjustment of Income Replacement, Medical and Rehabilitation, Attendant Care and other benefits, in response to the amount of inflation, determined according to the Consumer Price Index of Canada.

Liability Coverage
If you are found to be at fault in a car accident, this benefit is intended to insure you against the costs of claims or lawsuits made against you.

Loss of Use Coverage
In car insurance, Loss of Use coverage will have the insurance company pay for the use of a rental car while the insured’s car is being repaired.

Medical and Rehabilitation Benefit
This benefit covers the cost of medical and rehabilitation expenses (e.g. physiotherapy, prescriptions, and many of the costs outlined in our Reality Check) that are not covered by OHIP or a disability insurance plan.

Minor Injury
"Minor injury" means a sprain, strain, whiplash associated disorder, contusion (bruise), abrasion (scratch), laceration (gash) or subluxation (joint dislocation) and any clinically associated sequelae (secondary issue caused by injury).

Non-Earner Benefit
If you are not employed and suffer a complete inability to carry on a normal life as a result of an injury from a car accident, non-earner accident benefits can be paid out for the first six months after your injury.