Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule In Ontario - SABS

What are Statutory Accident Benefits?

Statutory Accident Benefits pay for expenses related to car accident injuries. This feature of Ontario car insurance pays for health costs not covered by OHIP or the government to help you recover from injuries and assistance with income related expenses.

What is the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule?

The Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, also referred to as SABS, is a form of no-fault insurance. It is mandatory and included as standard automobile coverage.

Certain benefits are available to anyone injured in a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. They are regulated under the Ontario Insurance Act. All SABS benefits claims are resolved by the Automobile Accident Benefits Service (AABS).

2026 auto insurance reforms: changes to SABS

Major changes to Ontario's automobile insurance accident benefits, under Regulation 383/24, are set to take effect on July 1, 2026. This overhaul of the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule is one of the most significant in decades. A key point of discussion among drivers and insurers is that many benefits, long included in standard auto policies, will transition to an elective basis.

Which benefits stay mandatory vs. become optional under the 2026 changes to SABS

Under the 2026 changes to the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits will remain mandatory. However, several benefits that were previously automatically included, such as income replacement, non-earner benefits, and caregiver benefits, will become optional.

Who can get optional benefits under SABS in 2026?

Under the new SABS reform, optional coverages will be limited to the named insured, their spouse and dependents (or spouse's dependents), and any drivers specifically listed on the policy. This change means that many individuals who currently have access to benefits, such as pedestrians, cyclists, or passengers without their own policy or not listed, may find themselves without coverage for numerous benefits unless optional coverages are purchased.

What types of benefits are available with SABS in Ontario?

When you are searching for an auto insurance quote, you'll want to be clear on what the benefits are available with SABS:

• Income replacement: replaces lost income as a result of not being able to work.
• Caregiver: If you can no longer provide full-time care to a dependent from catastrophic injuries, you may qualify for expenses to hire help.
• Non-earner: If injuries prevent you from a normal lifestyle (such as disability), and you don't qualify for income replacement because of being a student or self-employed, you may be eligible for this.
• Medical and rehabilitation: Pays for expenses towards surgical, hospital, medication, physio etc.
• Attendant care: Covers services covered by long-term aid.
• Death and funeral: Provides assistance with funeral related expenses.

Additional SABS are also available to assist those recovering:

• Childcare expenses for stay at home parents if they are unable to care for their children.
• Costs to assist an injured person while at home.
• Housekeeping costs.
• Repair or replacement of eyeglasses, clothing and other personal items damaged in the accident.

You can also add additional coverage to your policy for dependent care and indexation.

SABS Catastrophic Impairment Benefits

Suppose you suffer a catastrophic injury (loss of limb, brain damage, paralysis) due to an auto accident. In that case, you will be provided with up to $1 million combined for medical, rehab, and attendant care. You have the option to increase this to $2 million.

Review SABS In The Insurance Act

The SABS is part of the Insurance Act in Ontario. You can review the statutory accident benefits schedule here.

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Speak to ThinkInsure brokers to learn more about SABS changes

If you reside in Ontario or are covered by an Ontario auto insurance policy, changes to basic policy limits will impact your coverage choices, risk assessment, and premiums. It is advisable to review your current policy, consult your auto insurance broker before July 2026, and carefully consider which optional benefits you may wish to keep.