The "Benefits" to Whiplash

If injured in an auto accident, you are entitled to these benefits:

Income Replacement: If you are unable to work, your policy covers 80% of your income up to a maximum $400 per week, and you can purchase a higher limit if needed. If you are not working, and you are unable to carrying on a "normal life", the policy also provides financial assistance.

Caregiver Benefits: If you take care of the children and are unable to do so, the policy provides financial assistance of $250 per week, and you can purchase a higher limit up to $325.

Medical, Rehabilitation Benefits: The standard maximum amount for such items as physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, dental expenses etc is $100,000, unless your injuries meet the definition of catastrophic, where the limit is $1,000,000. You can also purchase a higher limit of up to $1,000,000 for non-catastrophic and $2,000,000 for catastrophic injuries.

Attendant Care Benefits: If you need someone to look after you, for non-catastrophic injuries, the cap is $72,000, which is raised to $1,000,000 if the loss is catastrophic.

Minivans - Which Passed For Whiplash

Head restraints in several minivans inadequately protect people against whiplash in rear-end crashes, says, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Earning Poor Overall Ratings:

The 2004-2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with fixed head restraints.

The 2004-2006 model years of the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town & Country.

A version of the 2005-2006 Toyota Sienna;

Four GM minivans from the 2005-2006 model years - the Chevrolet Uplander, Buick Terraza, Pontiac Montana SV6 and Saturn Relay.

The 2005-2006 Honda Odyssey.

The 2003-2005 Chevrolet Astro.

The 2003-2005 GMC Safari.

The 2004-2006 Mazda MPV.

The 2004-2006 Nissan Quest.

The 2005-2006 Toyota Sienna models without adjustable lumbar.

The Best Ratings:

The 2004-2006 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey and an edition of the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country.

Frontal and Side Crashes:

The Grand Caravan and Town & Country are the best for frontal and side impact crash tests.

You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.

outRATEgous

As insurers announce record profits, many people feel they've made this money from the pocketbooks of the drivers.

The Financial Services Commission "2005 Rate Guide" shows the vast difference between insurance companies' rates.

Here's the government's rate comparison, showing the lowest to highest rates for 4 driver profiles, with rate differences of over $15,000.

Toronto Driver Profiles Lowest Highest 19 Years-Old, Clean Record $5,750 $15,551 Driver, 1 Ticket & Accident $2,051 $17,468 2 Drivers, Clean Record $1,763 $6,992 70 Years-Old, Clean Record $970 $2,576

To see for yourself "All" the insurance companies and their rates click here.