Most Ontario drivers only think about their auto insurance at two moments: when the renewal arrives and when something goes wrong. In between, the policy usually sits in a drawer or an inbox while daily life shifts around it. A child gets their G2, a commute changes, or maybe a second car gets parked for the winter.
This fall, there is an added reason to take a closer look. Ontario’s accident benefits changed on July 1, 2026, and some of those changes apply to every policy, whether or not yours has renewed since. With winter driving season approaching, October is a good time to run through a few reminders before the first snowfall.
Check your accident benefits after the July 1 changes
Under Ontario’s updated rules, only medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits remain mandatory. Income replacement, non-earner, caregiver, housekeeping, death, and funeral benefits are now optional, along with a few smaller benefits.
If your policy renewed after July 1, it kept the benefits it already had unless you agreed in writing to remove them. If you bought a new policy or switched insurers since then, you chose which optional benefits to include, so it’s worth confirming what ended up on it. If you rely on your income to cover the mortgage and don’t have strong disability coverage through work, going without income replacement could leave a real gap after a serious collision.
Two other changes are easy to miss. Optional benefits now apply more narrowly: only to the named insured, their spouse, their dependants, and anyone listed as a driver on the policy. Pedestrians, cyclists, and some passengers who would have been covered before may not be. Auto insurance is also now the first payer for medical and rehabilitation costs after a crash, ahead of workplace health benefits. Medication is the one exception. Your broker can walk you through what you chose and whether it still fits.
Tell your broker about winter tires
Ontario insurers are required to offer a discount to drivers who use winter tires during the colder months, but the discount isn’t applied automatically. If you are putting your winter set on this month, let your broker know so it can be added to your policy. Insurers typically look for four winter tires installed for a set period, so ask what yours requires.
Update your policy when your household changes
Fall tends to bring changes that affect your premium, sometimes in your favour.
If a son or daughter has moved away for university and left the car at home, some insurers offer a discount for students who live more than a set distance away. If a teenager in the house has recently passed their G1 or G2 and is driving the family car, they need to be listed on the policy. Leaving a driver off can create problems at claim time.
The same goes for how much you drive. Retirement, a new hybrid work schedule, or a shorter commute can all lower your annual kilometres, and your rate is partly based on that number.
Check that your plate actually renewed
Since July 2024, Ontario has renewed most passenger vehicle plates automatically, but only when the vehicle is insured and there are no unpaid fines or tolls on file. A forgotten parking ticket can stop the renewal without you noticing, and driving with an expired plate can lead to a fine. Commercial vehicles and vehicles made before 1983 still need to be renewed manually. You can check your plate status on the ServiceOntario website in a minute or two. While you’re there, check your driver’s licence expiry date. Most drivers renew every five years, and drivers 80 and older every two.
Know what to do after a winter collision
Fender benders are more common once roads are iced over. In Ontario, if no one is injured and the combined damage looks to be under $2,000, you generally report the collision at a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours instead of waiting for police at the scene. If anyone is hurt or the damage is higher, call the police.
Keep your insurance card and your insurer’s claims number in the glove box or on your phone. Before you leave the scene, take photos of the vehicles, the road conditions, and the other driver’s licence, plate, and insurance details.
None of these reminders take long on their own, but together they can change what your policy pays out and what you pay for it. A short conversation before winter is far easier than finding a gap after a claim.
If you’ve bought or renewed a policy since July 1, or something in your household has changed this year, book an auto insurance review with an ICD Insurance broker. You can also call us at (905) 830-9000 or request a new auto insurance quote.
Disclaimer: At ICD Insurance, we aim to provide accurate, up-to-date information. However, insurance needs vary, and coverage depends on specific policies, locations, and providers. This content is for general information only and may not fully apply to your situation. Please contact your ICD Insurance broker to discuss your specific needs and coverage.