Your Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 1-888-404-5167
Preszler Injury Lawyers

Common Damages Many Ontario Auto Insurance Policies Don’t Cover


Auto insurance can be confusing, and many people aren’t very clear about what their policies cover. After an accident, drivers are often shocked to learn that their insurance won’t cover many of their damages.

Below, we discuss the types of damages that a lot of bare bones policies do not cover, the basic types of coverage that every policy must have, and a sampling of add-on coverages drivers can purchase to augment their policy.

What Many Basic Auto Insurance Policies Don’t Cover

If you have a basic auto insurance policy, your insurer may not compensate you for the following damages if you file a claim.

  • Theft: Unless you have comprehensive coverage, if your car is stolen or vandalized, you cannot recover the loss of your car.
  • Damage to your car: Unless you have collision coverage, if you were at fault for the accident, your insurance will not cover your damage.
  • Damage from the elements: If your car is damaged by the weather, acts of nature, or an animal, your insurance company will not cover the damages unless you have comprehensive.
  • Damage to a rented car: If you rent a car and cause an accident, your policy will not apply to the rented vehicle damage, unless you have pre-purchased an endorsement.
  • All of your lost wages: Even if your accident has left you unable to work, there is a cap on the amount of wages that will be replaced by your own insurance policy. (The balance will have to be sought through a negligence claim or lawsuit against the responsible party. However, the law places restrictions on how much can be obtained for past loss of income.)
  • Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other emotional and psychological damages are generally not covered in your auto policy. (Although, these types of damages are compensable if you file a negligence claim or lawsuit against the responsible party.)

Required Auto Insurance in Ontario

Many drivers just purchase the minimum amount of insurance that Ontario law requires. The following four coverages are mandatory.

  • $200,000 of Liability: Bodily Injury (pays for the other party’s injuries and property damage)
  • Accident Benefits (provides you with a portion of lost wages, medical benefits, and other related payments regardless of fault)
  • $200,000 Uninsured Automobile (pays for your damages if you are hit by an uninsured driver)
  • Direct Compensation: Property Damage (pays for damage to your vehicle caused by somebody else)

Additional Coverage worth Considering

You can better protect yourself by purchasing additional coverage and endorsements. Some of the coverage you might want to consider is below.

  • Comprehensive
  • Collision/Upset
  • All Perils
  • Specified Perils
  • Increased Liability
  • Increased Accident Benefits
  • Rented or leased vehicles (OPCF 5)
  • Added coverage to offset tort deductibles (OPCF 48)
  • Loss of use (OPCF 20)
  • Liability for damage to non-owned automobile(s) (OPCF 27)
  • Family protection coverage (OPCF 44R)

You can speak to your insurance agent about what types of coverage might be suitable for your specific needs.

Discuss Your Accident with a Lawyer at Preszler Injury Lawyers in Ontario

If you’ve been in an accident in Ontario and you’re unsure of what your policy covers, you should obtain a copy of your policy and discuss it with an auto accident lawyer. For legal assistance in Ontario, please call Preszler Injury Lawyers today. Contact us at 1-800-JUSTICE®.

related videos


 

Car Accident Lawyers
 

Hit and Run Injury Claims
 

Statutory Accident Benefits & Car Accident Claims
 

Types of Damages in Car Accident Cases
 

Understanding Statutory Accident Benefits: Your Guide to Ontario’s Insurance Claims
 

What Insurance Cuts Mean For Drivers in Ontario
 

Who to Contact Following a Car Accident
 
Call us now at
1-800-JUSTICE
®

151 Eglinton Ave W,
Toronto, ON
M4R 1A6
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
4145 N Service Rd
Burlington, ON
L7L 4X6
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
2 County Ct Blvd #400,
Brampton, ON
L6W 3W8
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
105 Consumers Drive
Whitby, ON
L1N 1C4
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
92 Caplan Ave #121,
Barrie, ON
L4N 0Z7
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
380 Wellington St Tower B, 6th Floor,
London, ON
N6A 5B5
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
2233 Argentia Rd Suite 302,
East Tower Mississauga, ON
L5N 6A6
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
1 Hunter St E,
Hamilton, ON
L8N 3W1
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
459 George St N,
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3R9
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
22 Frederick Street,
Suite 700
Kitchener, ON N2H 6M6
Fax: 1-855-364-7027
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
116 Lisgar Street, Suite 300
Ottawa ON
K2P 0C2
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
10 Milner Business Ct #300,
Scarborough, ON
M1B 3C6
Toll Free: 1-888-608-2111
*consultation offices

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that the header image and other images throughout this website may include both lawyer and non-lawyer/paralegal employees of Preszler Injury Lawyers and DPJP Professional Corporation and unrelated third parties. Our spokesperson John Fraser, or any other non-lawyer/paralegals in our marketing is not to be construed in any way as misleading to the public. Our marketing efforts are not intended to suggest qualitative superiority to other lawyers, paralegals or law firms in any way. Any questions regarding the usage of non-lawyers in our legal marketing or otherwise can be directed to our management team. Please also note that past results are not indicative of future results and that each case is unique and that case results listed on site are from experiences across Canada and are not specific to any province. Please be advised that some of the content on this website may be out of date. None of the content is intended to act as legal advice as each situation is independent and unique and requires individual legal advice from a licensed lawyer or paralegal. For legal advice on your individual situation – we can provide legal guidance after you have contacted our firm and we have established a lawyer-client relationship contractually. Maximum contingency fee charged is 33%. Finally, our usage of awards and logos for awards does not suggest qualitative superiority to other lawyers, paralegals or law firms. All awards received from third party organizations have been done so through their own reasonable evaluative process and do not include any payment for these awards except for the use of the award logos for our marketing assets. We are also proud to service additional provinces like Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia.