Ontario Drivers: Do You Know about These Recent Reductions to Your Auto Insurance Coverage?

By Roger Foisy on November 1st, 2016

Did you know your auto insurance benefits were reduced on June 1, 2016?

I have found many of my motor vehicle accident (MVA) personal injury clients are not aware of the recent changes to automobile insurance; I am writing this article because it is very important for every Ontario driver to know about them, as optional benefits are available that will ensure you are covered in the case of a collision.

Unfortunately, coverage for those injured in car crashes has been eroding in Ontario since 1990. Auto insurance companies’ profits are increasing while coverage diminishes for victims. Just last year, Bill 15 passed, which slashed rights and benefits for auto accident victims.

Now, benefits have been further reduced.

Auto Insurance Reductions as of June 1, 2016

Non-Catastrophic Injuries:

Previous: $50,000 for medical and rehabilitation benefits; $36,000 for attendant care benefits.
Now: $65,000 for both medical/rehabilitation benefits and attendant care benefits combined.
Outcome: Victims will have to choose between rehabilitation and personal care assistance, as there is not enough to cover the typical recovery expenses of both.

Catastrophic Injuries:

Previous: $1 million for medical and rehabilitation benefits; $1 million for attendant care benefits.
Now: $1 million for both medical/rehabilitation benefits and attendant care benefits combined.
Outcome: Severely injured victims have had their coverage cut in half and will not have enough funds to cover the high level of care they will require.

Understand Your Auto Insurance Coverage

Whenever your policy renews after June 1, 2016, these changes will be in effect.

As a personal injury lawyer, I can tell you that these reduced benefits are likely not sufficient to cover the costs you will have if you are seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident. You may want to consider purchasing extra, optional benefits to bring your coverage back up to the previous levels.

For more reading, I encourage you to check out the following resources:

“Optional Benefits Are Now Less “Optional” Than Ever” by the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
Information about changes to auto insurance from the Financial Services Commission of Ontario
The Truth About Insurance informational website by the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association

Roger R. Foisy is an Ontario Personal Injury Lawyer with extensive experience in motor vehicle accident cases. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, please contact us for immediate support and a free consultation.

More on Motor Vehicle Accidents from Roger R. Foisy:

Patricia Branden

18:13 15 Aug 22

I cannot thank Roger and his entire team enough for the support, professionalism and guidance that they provided. I... would not be where I am today without you!You masterfully managed a complicated case with 3 insurance companies, LTD and CPP; and came out exactly where you anticipated. I am still blown away at the final result. I absolutely love your Project Management approach and how you manage your practice. I believe you are the most organized law firm in Canada, and your results prove it. Listening to you and your team communicate with other lawyers representing insurance companies during stressful discoveries and mediation, always brought a smile to my face. You are witty, sharp and straight forward; but at the same time, compassionate and patient. Your passion for injury law is very evident. I feel very fortunate to have had you as my representative and strongly recommend you and your team to anyone else who has the misfortune of injury and needs help and guidance through the complicated, unhelpful and degradating insurance system.Once again, Thank you from the bottom of my heart!read more

Amal Khalaf

18:42 06 Apr 22

Highly professional and understanding. A special "thank you" to Harpreet!

Paula Laing

22:30 20 Mar 22

Roger Foisy and his diverse team understood my needs and my fears.Undergoing any kind of MVA is traumatic but having... to deal with a brain injury and all the assessments and insurance nonsense is exhausting !I am thankful I had the expertise of Roger’s team and I never felt alone.My settlement was a journey and I made it with the help and support of Roger and his team! I would recommend them to anyone dealing with an MVA and needing support! Thank you !read more

Vera Nincevic

19:37 11 Feb 22

I would highly recommend Roger Foisy and his staff.His team are very nice people easy to talk to…I received excellent... service and am very happy with the outcome .Special thanks to Manjot who stood by my side through everything and helped bring my case to a successful resolution. I was very happy how he handled everything and how hard he worked to protect my future.Thanks Manjot for all your support.read more

Lorraine Fraser

23:16 09 Feb 22

Harpreet Sidhu seems to know the field of PI law well. He listens attentively, provides sound advice, and is caring... about your concerns. Highly recommended. He is also well aware of the many unethical lawyers in this field. If you are with one, close the file and move your file to Harpreet. I wish Harpreet many years of successful practice, and may he improve the overall landscape of PI law in Canada so families are not harmed as they are by many PI lawyers.read more

James Cleland

20:37 04 Jan 22

Best lawyer on the planet!!! I used him 100% satisfaction guaranteed!!! Hes well prepared and always wins Against... those pesky insurance companies that try and take advantage of the people. They care about you and your family unlike other firms. This place is very special.read more

Heidi Johns

13:05 21 Dec 21

Roger and his team have been so very helpful as well as supportive during my time with them. When I have been... overwhelmed and unsure of what was going on, they patiently helped me understand the different options available to me and worked hard to get to the destination that I decided I wanted to aim for.To have people that make you feel supported and in your corner and that take the time you need to help you understand things is truly a blessing. Especially when you face difficult situations. My time with Roger and his team has truly been an eye opening experience and has helped me in so many different and unexpected ways.read more

Shawn Sweeney

01:10 14 Oct 21

Roger and his office were fantastic to deal with and helped me so much from accident, until settlement... and... afterwards. I am very thankful for Roger being a part of my "team" through rehab and would highly recommend him to anyone.read more

Rashmi TAILOR

20:08 03 Aug 21

Roger and team has been amazing in representing my case. I appreciated, professional, comprehensive yet empathetic... representing. Roger personally takes time to meet and get to know the clients. Visual understanding of what happens to body in accidents was very helpful and explained many symptoms I had. Thank you and keep up the good work.read more

Nadira Boulazreg

20:25 29 Jun 21

During the last 2 and a half years since Roger Foisy and Associates have represented me, I have felt looked after, well... prepared, and have had clear expectations of the work and processes ahead. Throughout our time together, Roger Foisy, Harpreet Sidhu, and the surrounding legal team have demonstrated their professionalism and expertise every step of the way, and they have always made themselves available to listen to my concerns and communicate any and all questions and queries of mine. Integrity, sincerity, and the ability to identify my needs have underpinned all the work that they do, and time and time again, it has been made evident that my well-being is at the forefront of their intentions when representing me as their client. As a result, not only have Roger and his staff done immaculate work as my legal representatives, but they have also been an immense sense of support for my family and I. I am forever grateful for having Roger Foisy and Associates represent me, and I would very highly and strongly recommend their services.read more

Pat O'Brien

15:45 11 Apr 21

After speaking with a few lawyers, I decided Roger Foisy was the correct choice when I required legal representation. ... Roger sounded very positive, supportive and professional. He did not disappoint! On my initial visit to the law office, Roger explained the process in detail. Through the three year process, Roger, Harpreet Sidhu and the administrative staff were extremely helpful, quick to respond to my inquiries. I was going through an extremely sad and painful experience and I would like to thank Roger and Harpreet for their support and for a successful outcome. I would highly recommend Roger R. Foisy Professional Corporation.read more

peter tullio

01:05 08 Apr 21

Roger Foisy and his team are amazing. We were originally with a previous lawyer that we were not fond of and had our... case transferred to Roger and his team- we are so grateful we made the decision to switch over to Roger! From the start Roger Foisy and his team took the time to go through our case and clean it up. They clearly answered all of our questions and were able to explain step by step the process and what to expect. I wasn’t left in the dark- I always knew what was going on with my case. The communication and knowledge from Roger and his team are phenomenal. I highly recommend Roger Foisy and his team!read more

Mary-lynn Collins

15:55 14 Aug 20

Mr. Roger Foisy and all of his team have been very kind and understanding to me during the duration of my proceedings.... I knew from the first time that I met him that I was in very competent, knowledgeable and caring hands. Through the mediation process I was so relieved to have him representing me.I highly recommend Roger Foisy to anyone that has been denied long term disability. He truly is very knowledgeable in these matters.read more

irfan amir

23:17 10 Aug 20

Throughout our case Roger was very emotionally supportive, friendly and honest. He explained everything in detail. He... was very accessible when needed and had open communication. Roger went beyond in answering all our questions and helped provide resources to educate us.read more

Dinovsky Solamente

16:27 20 Apr 20

I've known Mr.Foisy for over a decade now.Took excellent care of two litigation cases for the family.My own was a... lengthy one, but the firm was able to negotiate a fair settlement,out of court...Roger is a great professional,listener,and goes straight to the point.Honesty has also to be mentioned...his numbers,upon finalization,were also spot on,with a detailed and accurate expenses narrative presented at the time...Highly recommended !!! Thanks for everything, Roger and courteous staff...!Cheers !!!read more

Joanne Fechner

20:25 18 Mar 20

When we were in litigation, the ease and confidence that Mr.Foisy put forward was very comforting and he knew that we... were going to have satisfactory outcome. When his Associate, Harpreet was stating the facts of my case, he was “bang on”and so very professional in helping put my case together. I would not hesitate to recommend Mr. Foisy and his team. I’m a very satisfied client.read more

Eileen Gould

11:51 18 Jan 20

I was very happy. The firm went above and beyond and were really professional. I was very pleased from the moment I... walked in until the end. -E. Gould.read more

Cameron Freelen

21:00 17 Jan 20

I can’t stress enough how helpful and empowering it was to have Roger Foisy in my corner. From feeling powerless under... the heel of a large corporation, not getting the justice/benefits my employer promised. Roger was my first contact to help with my claim and it was the right one. He told me to be patient as these can be lengthy dealings but sure enough Roger got the justice I deserved and settled my case. If you are in need of legal advice Roger will understand and represent you to the best of his ability.Thank you to everyone at Roger R. Foisy Professional CorporationPersonal Injury Lawread more

Lothar Wieland

23:51 15 Jan 20

When we first came in, Roger was very helpful and explained everything.He was very approachable by phone and email and... was always there for us.Communication was always open. In any case, I’d recommend him to anybody. Thank you again Roger Foisy. - L.W.read more

Jason Hensen

01:42 15 Jan 20

You couldn’t find a better lawyer. Roger truly looks out for his client. You will not be dissatisfied.

Ontario Drivers: Do You Know about These Recent Reductions to Your Auto Insurance Coverage?

Auto Insurance Reductions as of June 1, 2016

Understand Your Auto Insurance Coverage

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