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Do I have enough car insurance to protect my family?
Car insurance used to be “one size fits all.” The government has changed this. The standard policy provisions have been reduced. The decision to get these benefits back is left up to you. Statistics show that less than 1% of consumers have purchased these now optional benefits.
The amount payable in income replacement benefits by your insurance company is 70% of your gross pre-accident income if you cannot work. If you earn more than $30,000, have no other insurance, and have not purchased one of the available optional benefits, your insurance company will only pay up to a maximum of $400 a week.
As of June 1, 2016, the standard motor vehicle insurance policy changed, with many benefits being reduced. The most significant changes were as follows:
| Benefit | Policy before June 1, 2016 | Policy as of June 1, 2016 |
| Medical and Rehabilitation for non-catastrophic injuries | $50,000 | These benefits have been combined and reduced to a total of $65,000 |
| Attendant Care for non-catastrophic injuries | $36,000 | |
| Medical and Rehabilitation for catastrophic injuries | $1,000,000 | These benefits have been combined and reduced to a total of $1,000,000 |
| Attendant Care for catastrophic injuries | $1,000,000 |
As well, the optional benefits available for Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care have also changed. The combined Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care benefit is now $130,000.00 for non-catastrophic injuries. The combined Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care benefit is now $1,000,000.00 for catastrophic injuries only. (Note: you are unable to purchase together with the $130,000.00 combined coverage for non-catastrophic injuries and the $1,000,000.00 all injuries coverage.)
You can pay a lawyer to fight for some of these additional benefits, or you can pay a modest additional premium to ensure that your family has better coverage. Most policies have the protection of $1 million if anyone driving your car issued by anyone claiming to be injured. The cost to increase this coverage to $2 million is modest but can help protect your personal assets from any claims. In order to be effective, optional benefits can only be purchased before a car accident occurs. London Police Services statistics show more than 10,000 motor vehicle collisions every year, with 11,000 collisions in 2017.
Protecting your family by getting the proper coverage requires choice and advice. Everyone who purchases car insurance is well advised to discuss these choices with their insurance broker.
This article was written by personal injury lawyer Michelle McLeod.
