Policy
The WSIB may authorize modifications to a vehicle or reimbursement for a portion of the cost of a purpose-built accessible vehicle purchased by a worker to enable the worker to operate or travel as a passenger in a vehicle, where the work-related injury or illness affects the worker's ability to do so.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline the criteria for entitlement to vehicle modifications, which vehicles are eligible for modification, the circumstances in which reimbursement of a portion of the cost of a purpose-built accessible vehicle may be considered and responsibility for the maintenance, repair and replacement of vehicle modifications.
Guidelines
This policy applies in conjunction with 17-06-01, Independent Living and Quality of Life Measures - Overview and Definitions.
Definitions
Minor vehicle modifications are those that involve devices or equipment that integrate simply and directly onto a vehicle’s original design, including, but not limited to, assist straps or steps, seatbelt extenders, acceleration and braking extenders and steering wheel knobs or grips.
Vehicle for the purpose of this policy means a vehicle that meets the definition of 'motor vehicle' in the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and is primarily designed for year-round use on highways as defined in the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
For definitions of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and independent living, refer to 17-06-01, Independent Living and Quality of Life Measures - Overview and Definitions.
Entitlement criteria
The WSIB may allow entitlement to vehicle modifications where all the following criteria are met:
The worker has an injury or illness that impacts the worker's ability to enter, exit, operate or travel as a passenger in the vehicle.
The clinical evidence supports that vehicle modification is essential to the worker's ability to safely enter, exit, operate or travel as a passenger in the vehicle.
The vehicle is eligible to modify, refer to the "Eligible vehicle" section in this policy.
The eligible vehicle belongs to the worker, or where the eligible vehicle does not belong to the worker, it is readily available to the worker to carry out instrumental activities of daily living.
The claim file information supports that modifying the vehicle is a necessary, appropriate and sufficient means of facilitating the worker's independent living.
The WSIB generally only approves vehicle modifications in cases where the injury or illness that results in the need for vehicle modification is, or is expected to be, permanent. However, the WSIB may approve minor modifications where a worker has an injury or illness that is temporary if the impact on their ability to operate or travel in a vehicle is expected to last for an extended period of time. The WSIB considers entitlement to minor modifications for temporary injuries and illnesses according to the five entitlement criteria outlined in this policy.
Eligible vehicle
The WSIB must authorize the vehicle to be modified. The WSIB is not responsible for modification costs when WSIB authorization is not obtained in advance and the WSIB does not subsequently authorize the vehicle for modification.
To be eligible to modify, the WSIB must be satisfied that all of the following criteria are met:
The vehicle meets the definition of vehicle as set out in this policy.
The vehicle will be the worker's primary vehicle.
Modifying the vehicle is cost-effective given the age and condition of the vehicle.
The vehicle as modified will meet federal and provincial standards for being operated as a motor vehicle.
The vehicle as modified will facilitate a return to safe and independent driving and/or allow the worker to be transported safely as a passenger.
The intended driver of the vehicle is or will be able to legally operate the vehicle (i.e., licensed and insured).
The WSIB may request a Safety Standards Certificate or other documentation that demonstrates the vehicle is safe and operable. The WSIB reimburses the cost of this documentation.
Purchasing a vehicle to modify
Where the worker chooses to purchase a vehicle that is eligible to modify, in addition to providing vehicle modifications, the WSIB may reimburse the worker for features in the vehicle that:
are required due to the impact of the work-related injury or illness, and
are not standard features for the base model of the vehicle.
The WSIB determines the amount to reimburse for the features. The WSIB does not reimburse the cost of the vehicle itself.
Purpose-built accessible vehicles
The WSIB may reimburse a portion of the cost of a purpose-built accessible vehicle purchased by the worker. The WSIB does not reimburse the full cost or purchase vehicles directly.
The WSIB considers reimbursing a portion of the cost if both of the following criteria are met:
The worker has or plans to purchase a vehicle that is eligible to modify, refer to the "Eligible vehicle" section in this policy.
The cost of a purpose-built accessible vehicle is similar to or less than the value of that eligible vehicle and the cost of the required modifications.
The WSIB reimbursement generally takes into account the difference between the cost of the purpose-built accessible vehicle and the value of the eligible vehicle the worker owns or cost of the eligible vehicle the worker had planned to purchase. The WSIB reimbursement may not equal or exceed the full cost of the purpose-built accessible vehicle.
Modification process
The WSIB has vendor contracts in place for vehicle modification services. Where the WSIB authorizes vehicle modifications, the worker is expected to co-operate with the WSIB vendor and in any required assessments. The WSIB reimburses the cost of required assessments, instruction or training.
Refer to 17-01-07, Preferred Supplier of Health Care Products and Services for information about the circumstances in which the WSIB may approve products and services from a vendor other than a WSIB vendor.
Concurrent and subsequent vehicle modifications
The WSIB generally approves modifications for one vehicle at a time.
The WSIB may modify a subsequent vehicle for the worker in accordance with the guidelines in this policy in either of the following two circumstances:
The useful lifespan of the current modified vehicle expires.
Permanent changes in the work-related injury or illness affect the worker's ability to live independently to the extent that it is not practical to further modify the current vehicle.
Maintenance, repair and replacement
The worker is responsible for operating costs and normal maintenance of the vehicle. The worker is also responsible for complying with any inspection or warranty requirements for the vehicle modification itself. The WSIB pays for routine inspection, maintenance, repair and replacement of the vehicle modification. The WSIB may also pay for wear and tear or damage caused to the vehicle by the vehicle modification itself. The WSIB does not pay for damage to the vehicle modification that is due to misuse, failure to follow inspection or warranty requirements or failure to follow operating instructions.
Insurance
The WSIB does not arrange or pay for insurance for the modified vehicle. Workers who meet the entitlement criteria for the additional expenses allowance under 17-06-02, Independent Living Allowances may choose to use the allowance to pay for insurance cost increases due to the vehicle modification.
The worker is responsible for ensuring insurance is in place for the modified vehicle that both:
includes coverage for the person driving the vehicle, whether that be the worker or some other person where the worker is accessing the vehicle as a passenger, and
is sufficient to cover repair and replacement of the vehicle modification in the event of a motor vehicle accident; the WSIB does not pay for repair or replacement of the vehicle modification where the damage is due to a motor vehicle accident.
The WSIB may request proof of insurance at any time.
Transitional provisions
In claims with an accident prior to September 21, 2026, where the initial entitlement decision is made on or after September 21, 2026, this policy also applies to entitlement periods prior to September 21, 2026.
Application date
This policy applies to all decisions made on or after September 21, 2026, for entitlement periods on or after September 21, 2026, for all accidents. This policy also applies to entitlement periods prior to September 21, 2026, in the claims identified in the "Transitional provisions" section.
Document history
This document replaces 17-06-07 dated October 12, 2004.
This document was previously published as:
06-05-04 dated July 1989.
References
Legislative authority
Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997
Section 32(e)
Workers' Compensation Act, Revised Statutes of Ontario 1990
Section 52
Approval
Approved by the President and CEO on June 23, 2026.