If you sustained severe injuries in an Ontario accident, you may be able to receive housekeeping and home maintenance benefits, which can assist you in finding someone to help take care of your home.
However, such expenses are only available under certain conditions. You must be able to show that you have a catastrophic impairment or purchased optional coverage to claim these benefits.
Below, we discuss the eligibility requirements for housekeeping and home maintenance benefits and how these benefits may also be recovered in a lawsuit. Set up a free consultation with a member of our legal team to get answers to your legal questions. There is no upfront cost to retain our services.
Find out if you have a case: (866) 320-4770
What Are Housekeeping and Home Maintenance Benefits?
People who suffer severe injuries often find it difficult to return to normal life after an accident. They may be experiencing a number of changes due to an injury. These changes may include the ability to complete tasks at home. Injured accident victims may need the help, but do not have the money to pay someone to do the tasks. A loved one may be helping out while you recover.
Housekeeping and home maintenance benefits are part of the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS). The SABS is mandatory no-fault coverage included in standard Ontario auto insurance policies.
However, this coverage is not automatically issued to injured accident victims. You must meet specific requirements to be eligible for these benefits from your insurance company in a claim.
Who Qualifies to Receive These Benefits?
You may be able to receive housekeeping and home maintenance benefits – regardless of fault – under two conditions:
- If you suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of an accident
- If you purchased these benefits at an additional premium
These benefits can help cover someone to perform housekeeping and home maintenance duties that an injured victim normally performed prior to the accident, such as:
- Doing the laundry
- Cleaning the floors
- Making meals
- Buying groceries
- Cutting the grass
- Shoveling snow
The maximum benefit amount covered in a standard auto insurance policy is up to $100 per week for reasonable and necessary expenses for home care services. You may be able to claim housekeeping and home maintenance benefits for life if the accident caused catastrophic impairment.
Purchasing Optional Benefits Coverage
There is an option to purchase a housekeeping and home maintenance benefit that will apply whether or not an accident-related impairment is deemed catastrophic by the SABS.
These benefits will only be paid by the insurance company for household expenses incurred within two years after the onset of your disability (The date at which you became unable to carry on a normal life.)
Recovering Housekeeping and Home Maintenance Costs
If you were seriously injured in an accident through no fault of your own, you may be able to recover the costs of housekeeping and home maintenance from the at-fault party’s insurance company in a lawsuit.
Housekeeping and home maintenance are different for every person, so the value of a case will depend on one’s particular circumstances. For instance, say you suffered a significant back injury in an accident. You cannot bend over to pick anything up or carry large items due to your back pain. An experienced lawyer may be able to argue your case requiring payment to complete some household tasks.
Housekeeping and home maintenance benefits can be claimed for two years from the accident date.
Call for a Free and Confidential Consultation
During a free consultation, learn more about your eligibility for housekeeping and home maintenance benefits after being injured in an accident. Our Windsor auto accident lawyers are well-versed in these types of claims and the strict deadlines that accompany them. We are ready to handle your claim and communicate with the insurance company so you can focus on your recovery.
We also work on a contingency basis, so there are zero upfront fees. We only get paid if we help you recover compensation. Our firm is available anytime, day or night, to take your call or chat online.
Call (866) 320-4770 for your free case review.