Every driver in Ontario should know about OPCF 27, especially if you’ll be renting a car. Yes, OPCF 27 has a strange and slightly confusing name, but it’s actually an extremely useful additional piece of auto insurance coverage. It provides additional insurance and peace of mind if you’ll ever be driving a car that isn’t yours, such as a rental car or other non-owned vehicle. 

Let’s get into it! Here are answers to the most common questions about OPCF 27:

What does OPCF mean in auto insurance?

OPCF stands for Ontario Policy Change Form. There are a lot of these OPCF forms, so they’re numbered — OPCF 20, OPCF 27, etc. — with each one providing a different type of insurance coverage. In some cases, certain OPCF endorsements are mandatory, but when it comes to OPCF 27 it’s completely optional.

What is an OPCF 27 endorsement?

If you’re wondering what OPCF 27 specifically is, you’re not alone! OPCF 27 is officially known as “Liability for Damage to Non-Owned Automobile(s)” or the “Rental Vehicle Insurance Endorsement.” It extends car insurance coverage to non-owned vehicles, including rental cars. You can read the OPCF 27 form on the website of The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), the provincial agency responsible for regulating insurance companies. 

With Sonnet, OPCF 27 is available to drivers in Ontario through the Enhanced Protection Bundle, which includes not just rental car coverage, but roadside assistance reimbursement and other useful protections. In the unfortunate event you need to make an auto insurance claim as a result of a collision in a rental car, having OPCF 27 coverage could save you a lot of money.

What does OPCF 27 cover in auto insurance?

Typical car insurance only covers the car(s) named in the policy, but OPCF 27 extends insurance coverage to non-owned vehicles, including rental cars, borrowed vehicles and leased cars. OPCF 27 generally covers loss or damage (to a vehicle comparable to your own) while driving in the U.S. or Canada, and extends third-party liability and accident benefits coverage to you and your passengers while driving a non-owned vehicle.

Insurance policies differ, so be sure to read yours carefully to see what’s included. (If you still have questions, Sonnet’s helpful insurance advisors are available via phone, chat, or email to answer your questions.)

What does OPCF 27 not cover?

Renting a car in Europe or elsewhere overseas? OPCF 27 doesn’t cover that, only incidents that occur in the U.S. or Canada. Long rentals exceeding 30 days are typically not covered either, nor are vehicles used for business purposes. Additionally, if the non-owned vehicle is not comparable to your own, or if it is very large (ie. anything with a GVWR over 4,500 kg) then it is probably not covered under OPCF 27. 

What are the benefits of OPCF 27 coverage?

It can help take some of the stress out of driving a rental car, and provide peace of mind knowing you’ve got insurance coverage if anything happens. OPCF 27 is great for drivers who occasionally rent cars, or anyone who might find themselves driving cars they don’t own. It can also be cheaper than paying the rental car companies’ daily rate for their optional “collision damage waiver” or “loss damage waiver” coverage.

Is OPCF 27 mandatory?

No. In Ontario, OPCF 27 is not mandatory. It’s optional extra coverage (often called an “endorsement” or “add-on” in insurance-speak) that drivers can add to their existing policy. 

That said, you do need insurance to drive a rental car in Ontario. Ontario’s FSRA has an excellent guide to protecting yourself when renting a vehicle, but, in short, you’ll need coverage through one of the following:

• The rental car company. You can purchase insurance from the rental company at extra cost. But, it might not cover everything, so be sure to ask for details.
• Your personal auto policy. If you’re a car owner, you can add OPCF 27 (a.k.a. rental car coverage) to your policy, but remember that there are limits to this coverage too, and it only applies in the U.S. and Canada.
• Your credit card. Some credit cards provide limited coverage for rental cars. (Be sure to check what is and isn’t covered before you get to the car-rental desk.) Remember that most credit cards require you to put the full cost of the rental on the card in order to be eligible for coverage. 

Does OPCF 27 count as rental car insurance?

Yes, OPCF 27 does count as rental car insurance, but, as mentioned above, there are limits to what (and where) it covers. If you decline the “collision damage waiver” or the insurance offered by the rental car company, they may want to see proof of alternative insurance. For proof in that case, you can show them your insurance policy including the OPCF 27 endorsement.

Is OPCF 27B the same thing as OPCF 27?

Most drivers will want OPCF 27, not OPCF 27B. The “B” version is for business, and is officially titled, “Business Operations - Liability for Damage to Non-Owned Automobile(s) in Your Care, Custody or Control”. It’s meant to protect businesses and business owners when renting vehicles and equipment. 

How much does it cost to add OPCF 27 to your auto insurance policy?

It varies, but it could be as little as $50 per year. Ontario’s FSRA advises consumers that, “If your auto insurance policy does not include the OPCF 27, you may want to consider adding it. The yearly cost of adding it to your policy is usually quite reasonable, making it an economical alternative to purchasing a collision damage waiver offered by an auto rental company.”

How can I get started with OPCF 27 on my auto insurance policy?

To get OPCF 27 added to your auto insurance policy, or to get a new policy including OPCF 27, start by getting a free quote from Sonnet online, or by speaking to one of our helpful insurance advisors via phone, chat, or email.

In Ontario, OPCF 27 is included in Sonnet’s Enhanced Protection Bundle, which includes not just rental car coverage, but rental car costs after an at-fault collision, a hit-and-run deductible waiver and limited roadside assistance reimbursement. If you need more help or have any more questions about rental car insurance, get in touch with us. We’re here for you!