A car accident can easily disrupt your life and bring in severe challenges that change your life forever. The best thing you can do is to identify how to approach such a situation and ensure that you receive accident benefits. There are approximately 1700 people that die in car crashes in Canada every year, and in Ontario alone there are upwards of 35,000 accidents every year. That’s why it’s very important to what to do if you are dealing with an accident and what accident benefits you can access.
What are accident benefits?
These are included in auto insurance policies for people that live in Ontario. Accident Benefits offer rehabilitation and medical expense coverage for injured car accident victims. They also cover death and funeral benefits as well as loss of income benefits. The coverage will kick in in the case of any accident where pedestrians, drivers or passengers are injured. The best part – regardless of who is at fault, even if you are, accident benefits will protect you.
Things to keep in mind regarding accident benefits
You will have some things to keep in mind in the case of accident benefits. For example, accident benefits will only cover you after private healthcare plans or government healthcare plans are used. Examples of common insurers are SunLife, Manulife and OTIP. Also, most accident benefits claims will start off with only $3,500 worth of medical and rehabilitation benefits for treatment. Keep in mind that your limits for medical and rehabilitation benefits can increase to $65,000 if the insurer determines that your injuries are more severe than either a simple whiplash, sprain, strain, etc.
Some examples of benefits or treatment that you can receive completely paid for by the insurance company include psychology treatments, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic treatment, speech language therapy, amongst many others.
Another thing to note is that every province, such as Ontario, has their own legislation regarding accident benefits and these can be changed at any given moment without much notice.
Income replacement benefits
Accident Benefits can include income replacement as well. In Ontario this will cover 70% of your gross income up to a maximum of $400 per week. You can pay a premium and get optional benefits to receive up to $1000.00 per week in income replacement benefits.
Other expenses benefit
Accident benefits can also include other expenses benefits too. That means the insurer might also be able to pay for various expenses like lost educational expenses, costs for bringing the family members to visit, clothing that was damaged or lost in the accident, costs related to home maintenance/housekeeping.
It’s important to note that accident benefits are very helpful if you want to cover some expenses after dealing with an injury after a car accident. Ultimately many accident benefits claims result in a settlement if the insurer believes that it is in their best interest to resolve the claim to save on costs such as paying for treatment plans, expenses and insurers examinations.