What to Do If You Have an Accident in Ontario as an Out-of-Province Driver: Key Differences Between Provinces

Mar 10

If you’re visiting Ontario from another Canadian province and you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA), navigating the insurance and healthcare systems can be confusing. Each province has different auto insurance laws, which affect how accident benefits, liability, and medical treatments are handled. This guide explains what out-of-province drivers should do if they have an accident in Ontario and highlights key differences between Ontario’s system and other Canadian provinces.

What to Do If You’re an Out-of-Province Driver in an Ontario Car Accident

If you are from British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, or any other Canadian province and experience a car accident in Ontario, follow these steps:

1. Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 if there are serious injuries.
Seek medical treatment immediately, as delays can impact both your health and insurance claims.

2. Report the Accident

If the damage is over $2,000, you must report the accident to the police.
In Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, and other major cities, you may need to visit a Collision Reporting Centre.

3. Gather Important Information

Exchange driver’s license, insurance details, and vehicle registration with the other party.
Take photos of the accident scene, damages, and any road signs or signals.
Get witness statements if possible.

4. Contact Your Insurance Provider

Notify your home province’s insurance provider about the accident.
Ask about coverage differences since Ontario operates under a no-fault insurance system, which may not be the same as your home province.

5. Seek Physiotherapy and Medical Treatment in Ontario

Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) applies to all accidents in the province, meaning you are eligible for medical and rehabilitation benefits regardless of fault.
Choose a physiotherapy clinic that specializes in MVA recovery to ensure your treatments are properly documented for insurance purposes.

How Ontario’s Auto Insurance System Differs from Other Provinces

Each Canadian province has different auto insurance models, which affect how accidents are handled when you’re in Ontario.

1. Ontario: No-Fault Insurance System

Ontario follows a no-fault insurance model, meaning each driver’s own insurance company pays for their medical and rehabilitation expenses, regardless of who was at fault.
Accident victims can still sue for additional damages, but lawsuits are restricted unless there is a serious injury.

2. British Columbia: ICBC Public Insurance

BC operates under a government-run insurance system (ICBC).
Unlike Ontario, BC residents involved in an Ontario accident may face challenges coordinating claims between ICBC and Ontario’s private insurance companies.
BC has limited legal action rights compared to Ontario.

3. Alberta: Private Insurance with Minor Injury Cap

Alberta uses a private insurance system but has a cap on minor injury compensation.
Ontario drivers are used to higher accident benefits, but Alberta residents involved in an Ontario accident may have their compensation limited under their home province’s rules.

4. Quebec: Public No-Fault System

Quebec follows a full no-fault insurance system, meaning residents cannot sue for personal injuries in an accident.
However, if a Quebec driver is in an Ontario accident, they may need to deal with both Ontario’s SABS benefits and Quebec’s Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).

5. Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Government-Run No-Fault Systems

These provinces have public, no-fault insurance systems.
If a driver from these provinces is injured in Ontario, their home province’s insurance may cover them differently than Ontario’s SABS benefits.

How to Get Physiotherapy Treatment in Ontario After an Accident

If you’re from another province but injured in Ontario, you may be eligible for rehabilitation benefits under Ontario’s SABS system. These top physiotherapy clinics in Ontario specialize in treating MVA patients:

1. CBI Health – Multiple Ontario Locations

Specialty: Comprehensive pain management, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. (cbihealth.ca)

2. Lifemark Physiotherapy – Ontario Wide

Specialty: Concussion management and chronic injury recovery. (lifemark.ca)

3. ProActive Physiotherapy – Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor

Specialty: Active rehabilitation programs to restore mobility and function. (proactivephysio.ca)

4. GRSM (Grand River Sports Medicine) – Kitchener & Cambridge

Specialty: Multidisciplinary care, including physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and orthopedic rehabilitation. (grsm.ca)

5. Niagara Orthopaedic Institute – Niagara Region

Specialty: Manual therapy and concussion rehabilitation for MVA patients. (niagaraorthopaedic.com)

Legal Considerations for Out-of-Province Drivers in Ontario

1. Accident Benefits Are Based on Ontario’s SABS System

If you’re injured in an Ontario accident, your medical and rehabilitation benefits are processed under SABS rules, even if your home province has different benefits.

2. Lawsuits and Liability Differ by Province

If you’re from a no-fault province (Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan), you may not be used to Ontario’s rules, which allow lawsuits in certain cases.
If you’re from a fault-based province (Alberta, British Columbia), you may need legal advice on whether you can sue for damages in Ontario.

3. U.S. Accidents for Ontario Drivers Differ from Canadian Accidents

If you’re from another province but injured in Ontario, Ontario’s insurance system applies.
However, if you’re injured while driving from Ontario to the U.S., the rules of the U.S. state you were in will apply, leading to potential legal complications.

Conclusion

If you’re visiting Ontario and involved in a motor vehicle accident, it’s important to understand how insurance benefits, legal rights, and physiotherapy treatment differ from your home province. Ontario operates under a no-fault system, meaning that your rehabilitation and accident benefits are handled differently than in Alberta, Quebec, British Columbia, or other provinces.

If you need physiotherapy treatment after an accident in Ontario, reach out to one of the top clinics listed above and consult your home province’s insurance provider to ensure a smooth claims process. If the accident involves serious injuries, consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer experienced in interprovincial claims to protect your rights.