Will You Get Compensated if Involved in an Accident Outside Your Province?

When involved in an accident abroad, one frustrating turn of events when you return home can be the insurance company rejecting your claim. You’re likely to get stuck with hefty medical bills as a result. To avoid this, it’s always advised that you take travel insurance when planning a trip outside your province. The lack of it can result in life-altering debt. Travel insurance is not the only policy that will provide you with the coverage you need should you sustain an injury outside your province. There are other types of insurance that you can access.

Filing a Claim for an Accident That Occurred Out of Province

Auto insurance policies are regulated for a particular province. This means that for an out-of-province claim, the rules will differ. In general, it’s wise to check with your insurance claim and understand what type of coverage is offered before you go on a road trip. Find out if you’ll need to buy extra coverage before you travel.

For Ontario residents who have the Ontario Automobile Owner’s Policy, coverage will be provided for incidents that occur in Canada and the USA. This is the policy that most of the drivers in Ontario have.

The Ontario law provides strict guidelines for insurance policies in the area. According to the Ontario law, all policies must:

• Offer liability coverage which caters to the cost of settling a claim if someone is injured or killed in a car accident.
• Offer accident benefits, which include medical care, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. These benefits should be offered to the policyholder regardless of who is at fault.
• Offer uninsured automobile coverage, which covers the cost of damage to your car if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or when a fatality results in situations like a hit, and run accident.
• Offer direct compensation for property damage. This means that Ontario drivers who lose property inside the car or the car itself is damaged, the insurance cover should cater for these expenses.

In most cases, the laws of the jurisdiction in which the auto accident took place will govern the insurance claim. If the case is taken to court, the legal proceedings will have to be done in the state or province where the accident occurred.

Should You Buy Additional Coverage When Traveling?

The decision to buy travel insurance is a personal one and should depend on the circumstances of your travel. For instance, if you are traveling to the US, keep in mind that the minimum coverage threshold for them is much lower. If you’re involved in an accident with an American driver, their insurance may not be able to cover the costs. That’s when extra coverage may come in handy. Having adequate coverage when you go outside your province can help avoid additional expenses. Discuss the options available with your insurer before leaving for your trip. You should be in a position to get the best insurance coverage for your needs.