Certain Accident Benefits limits under O.A.P. 1 Owner's Policy can be increased or extended at the option of the insured. What benefit CANNOT be…

The Ontario Automobile Policy (O.A.P. 1) includes Statutory Accident Benefits (SABS) with prescribed limits. Insureds can purchase optional benefits to increase many of these limits. Available options include increasing the Income Replacement Benefit, Death and Funeral Benefits, and Medical, Rehabilitation, and Attendant Care Benefits. An option also exists to add a Caregiver Benefit for non-catastrophic injuries. However, there is no specific optional benefit available to alter the rules or amounts applicable to disability benefits for claimants after they reach age 65.

A. Optional benefits are explicitly available to increase the standard amounts for Death and Funeral Benefits.

B. The standard weekly Income Replacement Benefit can be increased to higher weekly limits by purchasing an optional benefit.

C. The Caregiver Benefit, standard only for catastrophic injuries, can be purchased as an optional benefit for non-catastrophic injuries.

1. Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). (2022). Ontario Automobile Policy (O.A.P. 1). Section 4, Accident Benefits Coverage, and OPCF 48 (Added Coverage to Reduce Income Replacement Deductible). The policy form and endorsements outline which benefits can be optionally increased.

2. RIBO (Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario). (2023). Level 1 Licensing Course Materials. Module on Ontario Automobile Insurance, Section on Accident Benefits. The materials list the available optional benefits, which do not include a specific "Disability Benefit after Age 65" modification.

3. Government of Ontario. (1990). Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, Ontario Regulation 34/10. Part III, Optional Benefits. This regulation specifies the optional benefits that insurers must offer.