Many Ontarians rely on public transit instead of owning a vehicle. While you may not think about auto insurance very often, Ontario's new accident benefits rules mean your insurance situation is still important if you're injured in a collision.
Whether you have access to your own auto insurance policy or are covered under a policy through a spouse or parent, now makes a significant difference in the benefits available following a collision.
Why this matters
Different rules apply when someone is injured while travelling on public transit.
If a bus or other public transit vehicle collides with another vehicle, an injured passenger may have access to basic accident benefits. However, benefits that became optional on July 1, 2026, including income replacement benefits, will only be available if the passenger is covered under a personal auto insurance policy that includes those benefits.
This means public transit users who are not covered under a personal auto insurance policy may have significantly less coverage following a collision.
What benefits could be affected?
If you do not have your own automobile insurance policy, you no longer have access to benefits that can help with:
- Income replacement
- Non-earner benefits
- Caregiver benefits
- Housekeeping and home maintenance
- Death and funeral benefits
- Other optional accident benefits
If the public transit vehicle collides with another vehicle, you may still have access to medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits. These benefits remain mandatory under Ontario’s standard auto insurance policy.
The benefits available and the insurer responsible for providing them will depend on the circumstances of the collision and the insurance policies involved.
Does public transit provide insurance?
Public transit vehicles are insured. However, this does not mean passengers will automatically have access to every type of accident benefit following a collision.
The benefits available to an injured passenger can depend on:
- The circumstances of the collision
- The insurance policies involved
- Whether the passenger is covered under a personal auto insurance policy
- Whether that personal policy includes optional accident benefits
Understanding your own insurance situation before a collision occurs can help you better understand the protections available to you.
What should you do?
If you regularly use public transit:
Find out whether you're covered under an automobile insurance policy through yourself, your spouse or a parent.
Review what accident benefits are included in that policy.
Speak with your insurance professional if you're unsure how the new rules apply to your situation.
Transportation habits may be changing, but the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle collision remains. Understanding your coverage today can help you prepare for the unexpected.
Important: This page provides general information about Ontario's auto insurance changes and is not legal or insurance advice. Coverage depends on the circumstances of your collision and the terms of the applicable insurance policies. Speak with your insurance broker or insurer to understand your coverage.
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