What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured automobile insurance provides drivers with protection if they were involved in an auto accident with an uninsured motorist or a hit and run driver. The coverage is included as part of your mandatory car insurance in Ontario.

Uninsured motorist coverage will pay benefits to the driver and passengers involved in the accident. It will cover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and provide you with medical costs to recover from injury as a result of an accident with an uninsured driver.

Uninsured Motorist Protection Definition

As outlined in your Ontario Automobile Policy (OAP 1) and the Insurance Act (Ontario), uninsured motorist protection extends coverage if someone is injured to killed in an accident with an uninsured driver or in a hit and run accident.

The FSCO auto insurance regulations document describes what is covered :

• Protects you if you are injured or killed by an uninsured motorist or by a hit-and-run driver.
• Covers damage to your automobile caused by an identified uninsured motorist.

Yes. It’s estimated that about 2% of all drivers on the road in Canada are uninsured. Uninsured automobile coverage ensures you are covered if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.

However, even with minimum coverage in Ontario, you may not be covered for all damages caused by an uninsured driver. This is why it’s recommended to increase your coverage limits.

Ontario uninsured automobile coverage is mandatory. It is included in all car insurance policies. Making this coverage mandatory ensures you have some coverage and protection if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or the victim of a hit and run.

If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, call the police to file a police report. It’s illegal to drive without insurance. Drivers who drive without insurance coverage face fines starting at $5,000. Visit your local collision reporting centre and call your insurance provider to open a claim and notify them you were in an accident with an uninsured driver.

Since Ontario operates under a no fault insurance system, you will deal directly with your insurance company for the claim.

No. Not all provinces have mandatory uninsured automobile protection. In addition to Ontario, the following provinces offer this coverage :

• British Columbia
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island
• Nova Scotia

All insurance policies in Ontario have uninsured motorist coverage limits. With minimum coverage the limits are $200,000. This may or may not be enough coverage depending on the type of accident and damages. Drivers have the option to increase coverage limits. Using the Family Protection Endorsement, OPCF 44R, you can get additional coverage up to $1 million.