Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, O. Reg. 34/10, as amended July 1, 2026
Your Essential Guide to SABS in Ontario
What are SABS
What are Statutory Accident Benefits?
SABS are the benefits attached to an Ontario auto insurance policy, designed to provide immediate financial and medical support after an accident. Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care are mandatory on every policy. Income replacement, non-earner, caregiver, housekeeping and home maintenance, death and funeral, dependant care and indexation are optional purchases, and since July 1, 2026 they reach only the named insured, that person’s spouse, dependants of either, and drivers listed on the policy. Because Ontario uses a “No-Fault” system, you apply through your own insurance company, even if the other driver caused the crash. Your auto insurer now pays medical and rehabilitation costs first, ahead of any extended health or employer plan.
“The SABS system is designed to be a safety net, but for many, it feels like a maze. Our job is to cut through the red tape so you can focus on healing.” — Avi Vaturi, Partner
Funding tiers
How Much Funding is Available?
These three tiers are the mandatory medical, rehabilitation and attendant care coverage, so they apply to everyone injured in a collision, including a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a car who has no policy of their own. How much you can access depends on the “Classification” of your injury:
Minor Injury Guideline (MIG)
Covers strains, sprains, and whiplash. Funding is typically capped at $3,500.Non-Catastrophic Injuries
Covers more serious fractures or psychological trauma. Medical, rehabilitation and attendant care funding is capped at $65,000 combined, and generally stops 5 years after the accident.Catastrophic Impairment (CAT)
Covers life-altering injuries such as brain damage or paralysis. Funding rises to $1,000,000 combined, with no 5-year cut-off, and case management is funded from it.
Essential benefits
More Than Just Medical Bills
The SABS schedule covers a wide range of expenses that many victims overlook. Read each one against your own policy, because only the mandatory benefits are automatic:
Income Replacement Benefits (IRB)
Optional since July 1, 2026. Where the policy purchased this coverage, it pays 70% of your gross weekly income, capped at $400 per week under the standard option, and higher weekly limits can be bought.Non-Earner Benefits
Optional since July 1, 2026. For students, retirees and others who suffer a complete inability to carry on a normal life. Where the policy purchased this coverage, the standard non-earner benefit is $185 per week, payable after a 4-week waiting period for up to 104 weeks.Attendant Care Benefits
Mandatory on every policy. Funding for someone to help you with personal grooming, dressing, or bathing.Housekeeping & Home Maintenance
Optional since July 1, 2026. Funding for cleaning, snow removal, and lawn care where the policy bought it.Death & Funeral Benefits
Optional since July 1, 2026. Where the policy purchased this coverage, the standard option pays $25,000 to a surviving spouse, $10,000 to each dependant, and up to $6,000 in funeral expenses.
Critical deadlines
4 Critical Deadlines You Cannot Miss
Missing a deadline can result in a permanent denial of benefits.
- You must notify your insurance company of the accident.
- 7 Days
- You must submit the completed OCF-1 (Application for Accident Benefits).
- 30 Days
- This one is your insurer’s obligation, not yours: under Section 44 it must give you at least five business days’ notice of an insurer’s examination. Attend it, because an unreasonable refusal can suspend your benefits.
- 5 Business Days
- If your benefits are denied, you generally have two years to dispute the decision through the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT).
- 2 Years
Why hire a lawyer
Don’t Let the Insurer Decide Your Future
Insurance adjusters are often under pressure to keep claims within the “Minor Injury” cap. At VC Lawyers, we use a data-driven approach to fight for higher classifications:
Medical Evidence Network
We connect you with experienced Ontario specialist physicians and assessors who can provide the evidence needed to move you out of the MIG.Collision Evidence
We use collision reconstruction, vehicle damage records and municipal traffic data to demonstrate the severity of the impact.LAT Advocacy
If your benefits are cut off, we represent you at the Licence Appeal Tribunal to restore your funding.
Get in touch
Looking for legal help? Speak directly with a lawyer
Tell us what happened and a lawyer will personally review your case. Personal injury consultations are free and there are no fees unless we win. For all other practice areas, a consultation fee applies.
- $30M+ recovered for injury clients
- Available 24/7, including weekends
- Service in English, Korean, and 6+ more languages
Prefer to call? (416) 661-4529
Take the next step