This question addresses the 2026 SABS (Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule) Reform, a major shift in the Ontario insurance landscape. As of July 1, 2026, many benefits that were previously "mandatory" or restricted to "catastrophic" injuries have changed. Under the Consulting and Advising competency, a broker's role is not simply to facilitate the cheapest price, but to conduct a thorough Needs Analysis.

The reform made Caregiver, Housekeeping, and Home Maintenance benefits optional for all claimants. Crucially, it also removed the requirement that an insured must be "catastrophically impaired" to access them. Now, if purchased as an optional benefit, the insured only needs to suffer an "impairment" to qualify. For a retired client, these benefits could be highly valuable: if they are injured and can no longer clean their home or maintain their property, the policy would pay for these services.

The broker must guide the client through this "choice" by explaining the trade-off. Option C is the only professional response that aligns with the RIBO Code of Conduct and the Fair Treatment of Consumers principle. The broker must disclose that while the benefits are now an "add-on" cost, the barrier to using them has actually lowered (impairment vs. catastrophic). This ensures the client makes an informed decision based on their actual life circumstances rather than a generalized assumption about their age. The RIBO Blueprint expects Level 1 brokers to be the primary source of education for consumers regarding these 2026 changes, ensuring that the shift toward "consumer choice" does not result in unintended "consumer underinsurance."