Auto Insurance: Educate and Protect Yourself Before It’s Too Late
Ontarians were hit hard with another cutback to mandatory auto accident benefits coverage on June 1, 2016. There were drastic reductions in the mandatory limits for medical treatment, rehabilitation costs and funds to provide care for those unable to care for themselves. These reductions have left car accident victims to suffer both physically and financially. Thankfully, you have the right to purchase affordable optional accident benefits to protect yourself and loved ones.
There are many benefits that you can choose to increase. The cost to purchase these increased benefits is surprisingly low. It is recommended that everyone purchase at least the following optional accident benefit increases:
– Medical and Rehabilitation coverage for both Non-Catastrophic and Catastrophic Injuries
– Income Replacement Benefits
– Attendant Care Benefits
Other benefits, such as coverage for Housekeeping and Home Maintenance can also be purchased and are also recommended.
The importance of this issue was recently made clear to me when a call was made to my own insurer. We were calling to add an auto policy and optional benefits for a family member. Shockingly, the agent had minimal knowledge of the purpose of accident benefit coverage and the importance of purchasing the increase in optional accident benefit limits.
While we want to trust that our insurance company is providing the best of service and knowledge, we ultimately bear the burden of ensuring that we and our loved ones are protected. Take time and read your policy to understand what coverage you have and what it means before it’s too late. These optional benefits will only protect you if they were purchased before an unfortunate accident. Review your policy and consider your options. Contact your agent and ask questions. You’ll be relieved to know that you can have the best of coverage in case of devastating accident for only pennies a day.
About the Authors
Prior to joining Oatley Vigmond in 2008, Kimberly worked in the insurance industry for 10 years with experience in the management of catastrophic injury claims. Now, as an advocate for clients, she’s the primary liaison with the accident benefits insurer, and helps clients understand and obtain from their own insurance companies the statutory accident benefits to which they are entitled. She is highly involved with discharge planning from hospital to home, and works closely with our clients and family members to assemble reliable teams of community rehabilitation and long-term care providers. Kimberly regularly participates and contributes to firm-sponsored seminars in both hospital and community settings. Understanding the residual impacts on family and social life resulting from brain injury, Kimberly is an advocate in our community to increase brain-injury awareness and prevention.