If you’re looking at the title of this blog and feeling a little puzzled by what OPCF 44R means, rest assured – you’re not the only one! Not many people actually know what OPCF 4RR family protection coverage is, or how it works when it comes to your car insurance. We’re here to explain just that, and how it applies if you’re in an accident and need to make an auto insurance claim.

Heads up! Family protection coverage can get pretty complicated. We hope this helps if you’re ever in a situation where you need to use this coverage. If you need more details, reach out to your insurance company – they’ll be happy to help.

What is OPCF 44R family protection coverage?

OPCF 44R is an optional coverage that protects you if you get into an accident with an underinsured driver and they’re at fault. (This coverage also applies if the person who hit you is in an unidentified automobile.) It provides you and eligible family members with extra third-party liability in case you or a family member is injured, or if someone passes away from the accident.

Although in Ontario it’s called the OPCF 44R endorsement (the letters stand for Ontario Policy Change Form), if you live in Alberta and Atlantic Canada, it’s called SEF44. This coverage isn’t offered in Quebec.

Did you know? Adding an endorsement changes or adds to your existing coverage. You might also hear it called a rider. In Ontario, another common rider is OPCF27, or damage to non-owned vehicles coverage. This covers you if you cause damage to someone else’s vehicle while you’re driving it.

What does OPCF 44R cover?

Let’s say you’re hurt in a car accident, and it’s the other driver’s fault. If your injuries are serious, it could result in costly medical bills and even lost income – sometimes going into the millions of dollars. Under normal circumstances where the at-fault driver is properly insured, their liability would kick in to cover your medical costs. But what if they don’t have enough liability coverage to cover your expenses?

Here’s where things can get tricky – and mostly for you.

If the driver has $200,000 liability, you’ll only receive up to that amount to cover your medical expenses. This means you could be left with high bills to pay out of pocket and a whole lot of stress. But if you have the OPCF 44R family protection endorsement and a higher limit of liability, you’ll be covered for the difference between the at-fault driver’s limit and your own.

So in the above case, if your family protection endorsement limit is set to $2 million, you’ll be covered up to that amount – not the driver’s $200,000.

Is family protection coverage mandatory?

OPCF 44R isn’t mandatory for drivers in Ontario. It’s an optional endorsement that you can purchase and add to your auto insurance – and it’s worth considering for your peace of mind. You never know what might happen on a busy road or highway – or if other drivers have enough insurance. With the family protection endorsement, at least you know you’ll have enough coverage to pay for medical treatment if you or your family are injured in a car accident.

How much liability should I have on my policy with OCPF 44R?

With liability, more is always better. You should have at least the bare minimum required by your province. In Ontario, for example, you must have at least a $200,000 limit. A $1 million limit is the norm. And in fact, $2 million is what most insurers want you to have. The safety OPCF 44R offers is just one great reason to keep at least a $1 million limit on your auto insurance policy.

Will adding family protection raise my premium? 

Yes, but usually by only a few dollars. That little bit of extra cash is worth it for the safety and peace of mind you’ll have.

How can I add family protection coverage?

Although it’s optional, family protection endorsement is something you should have. You can’t control what other drivers choose to do with their insurance. What you can do is make sure you have the right limits and coverages in place on your own auto insurance policy.

At Sonnet, we’re always looking for ways to make sure our customers are protected. But while OCPF 44R might sound confusing at first, we hope we’ve managed to explain it thoroughly! You’ll be able to find the family protection endorsement included in the quote stage for your auto insurance policy, so don’t hesitate to ask us any additional questions you might have.