Darcy Merkur Comments on Ontario Auto Insurance Reforms in Insurance Portal

Thomson Rogers LLP partner Darcy Merkur was recently featured in Insurance Portal, discussing Ontario auto insurance reforms and what the changes mean for drivers, accident victims and their families. Merkur explained why reduced standard accident benefits may leave many injured Ontarians without the financial support they need after a collision.

What changed in Ontario auto insurance on July 1, 2026

As of July 1, 2026, several accident benefits that were previously included in a standard Ontario auto insurance policy became optional add-ons. These include income replacement benefits, caregiver benefits, non-earner benefits, housekeeping and home maintenance benefits, death benefits, and funeral benefits.

Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory. However, the broader package of supports available to many people injured in motor vehicle accidents has been narrowed unless drivers choose to buy optional coverage. Merkur says the new standard policy “doesn’t provide a lot of other bells and whistles that people who are involved in accidents truly need to a much greater extent.”

Why Ontario drivers should review their accident benefits coverage

Merkur notes that the reforms have “gutted what was intended to be a social safety net.” He warns that drivers who decline optional accident benefits to reduce premiums could face serious financial hardship if they are seriously injured in a crash. He also notes that the people most affected may include Ontarians who do not own vehicles and those already facing economic vulnerability.

Darcy Merkur’s advice to Ontario drivers is clear: review what your auto insurance policy no longer automatically covers and speak with your insurance broker before you renew.

Read the full article on the Insurance Portal website to learn more about Ontario auto insurance changes, optional accident benefits and the impact on injured people across the province.

Darcy Merkur is a partner at Thomson Rogers LLP, practising in motor vehicle litigation and catastrophic injury claims. He is recognized in Lexpert® and Best Lawyers™ in Canada in the area of personal injury law. Darcy can be reached at 416-868-3168 or by email.

About Thomson Rogers LLP’s Personal Injury Group

Thomson Rogers LLP is a Toronto-based law firm with more than 90 years of experience representing plaintiffs in personal injury, medical malpractice and civil litigation matters across Ontario. The firm’s Personal Injury Group is recognized as a leading Ontario personal injury practice, known for guiding clients through the province’s evolving insurance landscape with skilled and compassionate advocacy.