Ontario

Having the right auto insurance coverage is essential for everyone who relies on a car to get around. But this peace of mind comes at a cost. Everyone who wants to drive a car in Ontario must, by law, buy aminimum amount of insurance. In Ontario, over 140 private insurance companies offer auto insurance to customers and compete on the basis of:

• price
• coverage
• service

In addition to the minimum amount of insurance required by law, Ontarians have the option of buying more coverage to suit their needs. When Ontarians are involved in accidents, insurance companies:

• help them get well
• support them if they are unable to work
• protect them financially if they hurt someone else and are sued for it

• Minimum Required Auto Insurance Coverage in Ontario

  
  As of May 1, 2013
  

  Compulsory minimum third-party liability:	$200,000 is available for any one accident; however, if a claim involving both bodily injury and property damage reaches this figure, payment for property damage will be capped at $10,000
  Medical payments:	Up to $3,500 for minor injury; up to $50,000/person for non-minor and non-catastrophic injury for up to 10 years; up to $1 million for catastrophic injury; attendant care up to $36,000 for non-minor and non-catastrophic injury up to 104 weeks; up to $1 million for catastrophic injury
  Funeral expense benefits:	$6,000 (if optional indexation coverage is purchased, this amount may be higher)
  Disability income benefits:	Income Replacement Benefit: 70% of gross wages to maximum $400/week, minimum $185/week for 104 weeks (longer if victim is unable to pursue any suitable occupation); nothing is payable for the first seven days of disability Non-earner Benefit (disabled unemployed persons, students enrolled in education full time, or students who completed their education less than one year before the accident and are not employed): $185/week for 104 weeks; 26-week wait; limit two years; if student (as defined above) is still disabled after 104 weeks, Non-earner Benefit is $320/week. Not available if the insured is eligible for, and elects to receive, the income replacement or caregiver benefit
  Death benefits:	Death within 180 days of accident (or three years if continuously disabled prior to death); $25,000 minimum to spouse, $10,000 to each surviving dependant, $10,000 to each parent/guardian (if optional indexation coverage is purchased, these amounts may be higher)
  Impairment benefits:	Through tort action
  Right to sue for pain and suffering?	Yes, if injury meets severity test (called “threshold”), and subject to deductible. Lawsuit allowed only if injured person dies or sustains permanent and serious disfigurement and/or impairment of important physical, mental or psychological function. The court assesses damages and deducts $30,000 ($15,000 for a Family Law Act claim)
  Right to sue for economic loss in excess of no-fault benefits?	Yes. Income replacement award above no-fault benefit is based on net income after deductions for income tax, Canada Pension and Employment Insurance. Injured person may sue for 70% of net income loss before trial, 100% of gross after trial; also for medical, rehabilitation and related costs when injury meets severity test for pain and suffering claims
  Administration:	Private insurers

• Steps Required to Become a Fully Licensed Driver in Ontario

  
  Introduced September 1, 2005
  

  How do I enter the first stage (Class G1)?

  To get a Class G1 licence, you must:

  • Be at least 16
  • Take a vision test
  • Take a driving knowledge test

  How long will I be in the G1 stage?

  You will be in the G1 stage for 12 months. However, if you successfully complete a ministry-approved beginner driver education course, this can be reduced to eight months. You can leave the G1 stage no earlier than age 16 years and eight months. You must finish both the G1 stage and the G2 stage within five years.
  

  What are the restrictions while I am in the G1 stage?

  You must drive with an accompanying driver, who has to be a fully licensed driver with at least four years of experience and a blood alcohol level of less than .05, and who is the only other person in the front seat. You cannot have more people in the back seat than you have working seatbelts. You cannot drive on 400-series highways or other high-speed expressways such as the Queen Elizabeth Way, Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway, E.C. Row Expressway and the Conestoga Parkway, unless you are with a licensed driving instructor. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. You cannot drink when you are driving – your blood alcohol must be zero.
  

  What else should I know?

  If you get two demerit points, you will receive a warning letter. If you get six demerit points, you may have to go for an interview. If you get nine demerit points, your licence will be suspended for 60 days. You can also get a 30-day suspension if you get a ticket for a violation of your licence use conditions.
  

  How do I enter the G2 stage?

  To enter the G2 stage, you must pass the Class G2 road test.
  

  How long will I be in the G2 stage?

  You must be in the G2 stage for 12 months.
  

  What are the restrictions while I am in the G2 stage?

  You cannot drink when you are driving – your blood alcohol must be zero. You must not have more passengers in the vehicle than the number of working seatbelts.
  Also, if you are 19 or under, the number of young passengers you can carry is limited between midnight to 5 a.m.  For the first six months, G2 drivers 19 or under can carry only one passenger aged 19 or under. After the first six months, and until you earn a full G licence or turn 20, you can carry only three passengers aged 19 or under. These restrictions do not apply if a full G-licensed driver with at least four years’ experience accompanies you in the front seat, or if your passengers are immediate family members.
  

  What else should I know?

  If you get two demerit points, you will receive a warning letter. If you get six demerit points, you may have to go for an interview. If you get nine demerit points, your licence will be suspended for 60 days. You can also get a 30-day suspension if you get a ticket for a violation of your licence use conditions.
  To graduate to a full G licence, you must pass the Class G road test. The earliest you can do this is age 17 years and 8 months.

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