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Residents in Ontario, Canada might wonder if their insurance policies cover them for accidents outside of the province. This is a valid question. Those who travel want to have the peace of mind knowing that, should the unexpected happen and an accident occur, they can focus on dealing with the aftermath of the accident without the additional strain of financial concerns.
This can be such a significant concern for Ontario residents that it’s a common question that teams of personal injury lawyers hear. Drivers want to know if their insurance will cover them if they’re involved in a vehicle accident in other areas of Canada or across the border in the United States. This is of special concern to those who frequently drive throughout North America since the risk of a road accident is higher, the more times you drive.
It’s important to make sure you are aware of what your insurance policy will cover and what it will not. This applies to frequent road travelers as well as those who may only go on road trips occasionally through North America. A devastating accident can happen even during the occasional short trip out of province, and knowing what your insurance policy will cover will make sure you don’t experience unexpected surprises in the event of a vehicle accident.
In Ontario, all drivers are required to carry at least $200,000 liability coverage. The same holds true for many other Canadian provinces. The United States has no laws in place regarding minimum liability insurance. This means there is the increased chance of more drivers on the roads in the States who don’t have enough liability coverage or no coverage at all. Your Ontario insurance coverage will cover you while operating a motor vehicle outside the province. This holds true for all standard Ontario vehicle insurance policies. These policies contain safeguards to protect the driver and the driver’s passengers if they were to be injured in a motor vehicle accident outside of Ontario.
Ontario Motor Vehicle Policy Basics
Motor vehicle policies in Ontario are regulated to make sure there is consistency between the coverage in different policies. Most policies have a clause that contains no-fault benefits, which is a fixed collection of accident of benefits. This means that drivers who are insured are covered regardless of where the accident occurs. Drivers of this type of insurance will be covered in other provinces and throughout the United States. They are also covered on a ship traveling between ports of Canada and the United States.
The following accident benefits are usually included in these types of insurance policies:
• Attendant care
• Medical/rehabilitation
• Death and funeral
• Income replacement
• Non-earner/caregiver replacement
• Reimbursement for damaged clothing
• Housekeeping and home maintenance expenses
• Glasses and medical devices
• Expenses for visitors
• Lost education expenses
This is extensive coverage. The level of coverage depends on the extent of the injury. More severe injuries will qualify for more coverage expenses. Ontario drivers who have up to date insurance coverage on the vehicles they drive will be covered for the above expenses regardless of who is at fault for the vehicle accident. Ontario drivers who want additional coverage also have the option to purchase an enhanced accident benefits coverage which provide additional funds, if needed.