How to Apply for Accident Benefits in Ontario: The Deadlines, Step by Step
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Accident benefits are paid by an insurance company regardless of who caused the crash. To receive them, you follow a specific process with fixed deadlines. Here is the order that matters.
Step 1. Tell the insurer within 7 days
Notify the auto insurance company within 7 days of the accident, or as soon as you reasonably can if your injuries make that hard. Usually this is your own insurer. If you have no auto policy, it may be the insurer of a family member's policy, or of the vehicle involved. Here is the full order of insurers. A phone call is enough to start.
If more than 7 days have passed, contact the insurer as soon as you can. The insurer may ask you to explain the delay.
These deadlines come from Ontario’s accident benefits regulation, so they are the same whichever company insures you, such as Intact, Definity, Aviva or TD Insurance.
Step 2. Receive the application package
After you notify them, the insurer sends you the application forms. The main form is the Application for Accident Benefits (OCF-1).
Step 3. Submit the OCF-1 within 30 days
Complete and return the OCF-1 within 30 days of receiving it. This form tells the insurer who you are, what happened and which benefits you are claiming. Mistakes here can delay or limit benefits later, so it is worth having it reviewed before you send it.
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Get a free application review →Step 4. Disability certificate for income support
If you cannot work, care for someone or carry on your normal life, your doctor or another health professional completes a Disability Certificate (OCF-3). It supports claims for income replacement, non-earner or caregiver benefits, if your policy includes them.
Step 5. Treatment plans from your providers
Physiotherapy, psychological treatment and other services beyond the basic soft tissue program are requested through a Treatment and Assessment Plan (OCF-18), prepared by your provider. The insurer then decides whether to approve it.
Step 6. Watch for the Minor Injury Guideline
Many claims start under the Minor Injury Guideline (MIG), which caps medical and rehabilitation funding at $3,500 for sprains, strains and similar soft tissue injuries. Injuries such as fractures or concussion, and psychological conditions supported by medical evidence, can be a reason to move a claim out of the MIG. This decision affects how much treatment you can receive.
Step 7. Keep a record
Keep copies of every form, letter and receipt. Write down the date and the name of the adjuster for each call. If the insurer later denies a benefit, these records support your dispute.
Deadlines at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
Does it matter who caused the accident?
Accident benefits are no-fault. You can claim them even if you caused the crash.
I am a passenger. Whose insurer do I contact?
Usually your own auto insurer, if you have a policy. If not, a family member's policy or the policy of the vehicle you were in may apply.
What if I already missed the 30 days?
Contact a licensed representative as soon as possible to review what can still be done.
VIA Legal Services Professional Corporation. Naira Velumyan is a Licensed Paralegal in Ontario (LSO #P21370). This article is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation.
Naira Velumyan is a Licensed Paralegal in Ontario and the principal of VIA Legal. She holds a PhD in psychology and is a Registered Psychotherapist, which shapes how she handles psychological injury claims. Read more about Naira