Well we have just had our first snowfall of the season here in Ottawa and I suspect many of you Ontario snowmobile riders are clicking your heels in excitement.  It is somewhat confusing and most people do not know how snowmobiles are insured in the event of an Ontario snowmobile accident. By law, snowmobiles must be insured, like  any other motorized vehicle which is used on a  highway. Most Ontario snowmobile insurance policies are  the basic  motor vehicle insurance policy. Any insurance claim in Ontario that involves an accident between 2 snowmobiles, a snowmobile and a pedestrian or a snowmobile and another type of vehicle is typically  treated  as an automobile insurance claim and  Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits are  available to the drivers and passengers involved in the accident. If the accident involves just a single snowmobile, the driver and passengers on the snowmobile are still entitled to Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits.

In September of 2010, Ontario changed its insurance policy. Some basic coverages were reduced, while optional benefits were made available to allow people to customize their Ontario insurance coverage. New optional benefits plans became available , leaving Ontario residents to decided for themselves if the they were willing to reduce their coverage as well as premiums. In my opinion, as an Ottawa personal injury lawyer, this is dangerous. It is particularly dangerous for  snowmobile drivers. I caution everyone to carefully think about whether they should opt for the additional insurance benefits which would allow for more  Statutory Accident Benefit in the event of an accident resulting in serious personal injury,  non-catastrophic injury and catastrophic injury.

Snowmobile drivers put themselves at the risk of numerous hazards and therefore need more insurance protection in the event of an accident. Snowmobiling has become an extremely popular winter sport event in Ontario. With its increasing popularity also comes an increase in the number of personal injuries and death. Snowmobile accidents are the most severe winter recreational injury in Canada, surpassing snowboarding and skiing. Between Canada and United States, there are over 4 million snowmobiles which are registered. It is estimated that over 360, 000 snowmobiles are in use in Ontario alone, which surpasses the rest of North America’s statistics.  However, the deaths related to snowmobiling in North America are high. The fatality rate of 200 persons annually with an additional 14,000 emergency room visits for snowmobile related injuries are frightening. In Ontario alone, approximately 7000 people are injured in yearly snowmobile related accidents. This number is said to be underestimated,  as many injuries and accidents go unreported. It is inevitable that as the popularity of snowmobiling increases, so do the number of associated personal injuries and deaths.

Often times, personal injuries arising from snowmobile accidents are so severe and “catastrophic”. This is where the additional optional benefits become so incredibly important. The catastrophically injured required a great deal of support, rehabilitation, therapy, home modification, counselling, loss of income etc… to help rehabilitate from their catastrophic injury.

We can’t insure everything and accidents happen without warning.  It is however so important snowmobile drivers to be informed of the Ontario Accident Benefits coverage limitations and exclusions within their motor vehicle and homeowner’s insurance policies. Yes, it will cost you more yearly to top up; however in the event of a serious accident, that top up will affect the rest of your and your family’s lives.  Ok, enough from me.  Please think about what I have said. Get ready to enjoy this wonderful winter that is coming.  Ride safely !

———————- The  Ottawa Injury Blog is written regularly by Ottawa personal injury lawyer David Hollingsworth. Since 1999, David has been an Ottawa personal injury lawyer representing Ottawa accident victims and the families of accident victims who have lost a loved one in an Ontario accident, including snowmobile accidents. This blog reports on accidents in eastern Ontario, personal injury issues, local Ottawa news and events and various news that relates to Ottawa, accidents and personal injury.  Visit www.ottawainjury.ca for more information. If you have a question, feel free to call or email david@ottawainjury.ca  (613) 978-9549 

Ontario Accident Benefits, Ontario Insurance Coverage, Ontario Snowmobile Accident Lawyer David Hollingsworth