What are Statutory Accident Benefits?
Statutory Accident Benefits (SABS) provide financial support if you are injured in a car accident. These benefits are available regardless of who caused the accident and can cover things like medical treatment, rehabilitation and income if you can’t work because of your injuries.

What coverage is staying the same?
Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits will continue to be included in all auto insurance policies. These benefits help cover essential recovery support after an accident.

You’ll still have the option to purchase additional or increased benefits and coverages, such as supplementary medical, rehabilitation and attendant care, dependant care and indexation benefits.

What’s becoming optional?
Starting July 1, 2026, the following benefits will no longer be automatically included. You can choose to add them based on your needs:

• Income replacement offers compensation for lost wages due to an accident.
• Non-earner: if you're a student or unemployed and an accident keeps you from leading a normal life, this provides financial support while you recover.
• Caregiver benefits offers caregiving expenses if you or another covered person is injured and can no longer provide care for a household member such as a child or aging parent.
• Lost educational expenses provides coverage if you have a car accident and can’t attend school or an education program.
• Visitor expenses covers reasonable and necessary expenses of visitors if you or another covered person is injured in an accident
• Housekeeping and home maintenance helps cover costs if you or another covered person is unable to perform the housekeeping and home maintenance tasks.
• Damage to personal items covers the repair or replacement of personal items damaged in an accident (e.g., clothing, prescription eyewear, hearing aids, etc.) that were damaged in the accident.
• Death benefits: compensates family members if you or a covered person dies due to an accident.
• Funeral benefits help cover some funeral costs.

Who is covered under Statutory Accident Benefits (SABS)?

• the named insured.
• the spouse of the named insured.
• dependants of the named insured and of the named insured’s spouse.
• persons specified in the policy as drivers of the automobile.

This means that some people, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and certain passengers who may have been covered in the past may no longer be eligible for accident benefits unless they are included in the categories listed above.

What does this mean to you?

• If you’re an existing customer your current coverage will automatically continue as they are today unless you notify your agent that you’d like to make any changes to your auto insurance policy.
• If you’re a new customer starting July 1, 2026, new customers can choose which optional accident benefits they would like to purchase. Talk to your local agent to see which benefits suit your needs and budget.
• If you’re a commercial customer or employee, speak to your agent to learn more about how this change impacts you or your employees.

What steps should I take?
- • Review your current coverage (if you are an existing customer). Know what benefits you already have today through your auto insurance policy.
- • Review your workplace or private benefits plan. Avoid duplication. You may already have coverage through your workplace, private benefits plan, or life and health insurance providers.
- • Think about your needs. Consider which coverage is right for you and your budget.
- • Speak to your agent who can explain your options.