The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, June 12, edition that if you are an Ontario driver shopping for car insurance, you will soon encounter a word you need to get familiar with: "optionality." The Globe's guest columnist John Shmuel writes that starting July 1, Ontario will overhaul its auto insurance system, making most accident benefit coverages optional for new policies. Benefits like income replacement, care giver support and housekeeping assistance will no longer be automatically included and must be actively chosen and paid for by policy-holders. While this offers the potential to save money, it also introduces new risks when it comes time to renew or purchase car insurance. CAA Insurance spokesman Elliott Silverstein says the challenge lies in people removing coverages they currently have, often to save money or because they think they do not need the coverage. If you are a renewing customer, your policy will automatically renew with your current coverage and limits unless you provide written notice to decline or change them. After July 1, new policies will only include mandatory minimums by default. You will need to choose any additional benefits at the time of purchase.