Do pedestrians have coverage under automobile insurance in Ontario?

In Ontario, pedestrians are indeed covered under automobile insurance through accident benefits, which apply regardless of fault. This coverage is a significant aspect of the insurance system designed to protect all individuals involved in an accident, including those who are not drivers or passengers in a vehicle.

Accident benefits provide compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, income replacement, and other related costs that a pedestrian may incur as a result of being involved in an accident with a motor vehicle. This ensures that pedestrians have access to the necessary support and care after an accident, irrespective of whether they were at fault or if the driver of the vehicle was insured.

This aspect of the automobile insurance framework emphasizes the importance of safety for all road users, fostering a collective responsibility to ensure that pedestrians, who are often the most vulnerable, receive protection in the event of an accident. Thus, the provision that grants accident benefits to pedestrians without the requirement to establish fault is a fundamental principle of the Ontario auto insurance model.