Ontario auto-insurance guide

Ontario's 2026 auto-insurance first-payer rule

Ontario now requires auto insurance to pay eligible accident-related medical and rehabilitation expenses before supplementary health insurance is used.

First payerMedical/rehab

Updated for Ontario rules in force August 11, 2026 · Megan R. Fairview

Why the order changed

The province described the change as a way to simplify claims and preserve workplace or private health benefits for other medical needs.

This is not a statement that every expense is automatically covered

Eligibility, policy limits and the SABS still apply.

Health-plan terms still matter

A workplace or private plan may still be relevant for services or amounts not covered by auto insurance.

Keep records

Claims can involve both auto and health benefit systems, so retaining insurer correspondence and treatment records is useful.

Ontario-specific educational summary. Your actual rights and coverage come from the Insurance Act, regulations, the current Ontario Automobile Policy (OAP 1), your certificate, endorsements and the facts of the claim. Do not change coverage based only on a general web article.