Alberta auto insurance is changing
What Care‑First auto insurance means for you
Auto insurance in Alberta is evolving. A new Care-First auto insurance system will change how injury claims are handled for collisions that happen on or after January 1, 2027.
At Wawanesa, we’re here to help you understand what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what this could mean for you if you’re involved in an accident.
What’s Care‑First auto insurance?
Care-First is a new auto insurance system that focuses on access to care and prioritizes recovery after an accident without the need for lengthy legal processes in most cases.
If you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident, Care-First is designed so that you get access to benefits for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and income replacement directly through your auto insurance policy—regardless of who caused the accident.
The goal is to help people recover sooner by providing faster, more predictable access to care and financial support.
What’s changing under Care‑First?
A stronger focus on recovery
Under Care-First, accident benefits are structured to support recovery. Benefits will include:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Income replacement if you can’t work
- Support for daily living activities while you recover
- Support for dependants and caregivers
- Coverage for certain treatment-related expenses
These benefits are available to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists—no matter who is at fault.
| Care-First benefits | Benefit limits[1] |
|---|---|
| Care-First benefits Medical and Rehabilitation | Benefit limits[1] Unlimited for all reasonable and necessary expenses, until maximum medical recovery. |
| Care-First benefits Personal Care Assistance |
Benefit limits[1]
Catastrophic injuries:
$6,964 / month
Non-catastrophic injuries:
$5,824 / month
|
| Care-First benefits Income Replacement | Benefit limits[1] 90% of net income up to a maximum annual gross income of $128,000. |
| Care-First benefits Caregiver Weekly Indemnity |
Benefit limits[1]
1 dependant:
$562 / week
2 dependants:
$622 / week
3 dependants:
$682 / week
4 or more dependants:
$738 / week
|
|
Care-First benefits
Childcare Expense Reimbursement (Receipts required) |
Benefit limits[1]
1 person:
$147 / week
2 people:
$193 / week
3 people:
$243 / week
4 or more people:
$291 / week
|
|
Care-First benefits
Permanent Impairment Benefit (Lump sum payment) |
Benefit limits[1]
Catastrophic injuries:
$306,580
Non-catastrophic injuries:
$971 to $194,159 (maximum)
|
| Care-First benefits Funeral Benefit |
Benefit limits[1]
Funeral:
$10,586 (maximum)
|
| Care-First benefits Death Benefit |
Benefit limits[1]
Spouse or partner:
Based on gross yearly income of the deceased. $77,665 to $615,000 (maximum)
Dependant:
Based on dependant’s age at the time of the accident. $35,919 to $67,956 (maximum)
|
- Benefit limit amounts are maximums—actual benefits paid depend on your situation and eligibility. Benefit limits shown are 2026 maximums and are subject to indexing and annual changes.↩
Fewer injury lawsuits
Care-First significantly reduces the need to sue for pain and suffering following a motor vehicle accident. The right to sue is available in specific circumstances when an at-fault driver is convicted of a serious driving offence, such as impaired driving.
By reducing legal disputes, the system is designed to direct resources towards care and recovery instead.
What’s staying the same?
While injury benefits are changing, important parts of your auto insurance remain the same:
Vehicle damage coverage
(repair or replacement of your vehicle)
Optional coverages
you choose to add to your policy
Fault still matters
for determining responsibility and how the cost of your insurance is impacted over time
What this means for employers (if applicable)
If your business owns, operates, or insures vehicles for business purposes—and if your employees use vehicles for work—Care-First will change how injury-related claims are handled.
- If an employee who is listed on the insurance policy is injured in a work-related auto collision, they may be eligible to receive defined benefits directly from the commercial auto insurance policy, regardless of fault.
- This will provide faster access to care and income support, which can support earlier return-to-work outcomes.
When does this change take effect?
Care‑First applies to collisions that take place on or after January 1, 2027, regardless of when your policy renews.
- Collisions before January 1, 2027, will continue to be handled under the current system.
- Collisions on or after January 1, 2027, will follow Care‑First.
How Wawanesa will support you
If you’re insured with Wawanesa,we’ll be your main point of contact for injury benefits following a collision that takes place on or after January 1, 2027.
If you're injured, we'll help guide you through the claims process and connect you with the support and services available under Care-First. Our goal is to make it easier to access care and benefits so you can focus on your recovery.
Once you’ve submitted your claim, we’ll help you:
- Understand what benefits are available to you and how they apply to your situation.
- Get quick access to high-quality medical treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery services.
- Coordinate support related to your recovery.
- Answer your questions and explain what to expect throughout the process.
- Navigate your claim with clear explanations and ongoing support.
As a mutual insurer, we’re guided by what’s best for our members, and we’ll provide care-focused, compassionate support.
What this could mean for insurance costs
Care‑First is designed to improve access to care while helping create a more stable insurance system.
How much you pay for your insurance will continue to be based on your individual circumstances, including factors such as your driving history, vehicle, and how you use your car.
As individual circumstances vary, some people may see lower premiums, while others may see moderate increases.
What you need to do
Starting January 1, 2027, Care-First benefits will automatically be included in your auto insurance—you don’t need to contact your broker to have these coverages added.
We strongly recommend you review your coverage to ensure it still meets your needs and contact your insurance broker if you need advice or have any questions.