What Is OPCF 20 Loss of Use Coverage?
OPCF 20, also called transportation replacement or loss of use coverage, may help pay for a rental vehicle, taxi, or public transportation when your insured automobile cannot be used because of covered loss or damage.
This page is educational only. Your actual coverage depends on your policy wording, certificate of automobile insurance, deductible, limits, insured perils, insurer rules, and claim facts.
What OPCF 20 is used for
OPCF 20 is designed to help with replacement transportation costs when your automobile cannot be used because of covered loss or damage.
Rental vehicle after a covered claim
If your insured vehicle is being repaired or replaced after a covered claim, OPCF 20 may help reimburse reasonable expenses for renting a similar substitute automobile.
Taxi or public transportation
OPCF 20 may also include reasonable expenses for taxicabs or public transportation, subject to your policy wording, limits, and claim details.
Loss of use
This coverage is often called “loss of use” because it helps when you lose the use of your automobile after an insured loss.
OPCF 20 is not a general travel rental benefit. It is connected to loss or damage to your insured automobile caused by a peril for which you are insured.
When OPCF 20 may apply
OPCF 20 usually matters after a covered claim when your vehicle cannot be used and you need another way to get around.
Your car is not driveable
If your vehicle cannot be operated under its own power after a covered loss, OPCF 20 may help from the time the loss or damage occurs, subject to the policy terms.
Your car is stolen
If your entire automobile is stolen, transportation replacement may begin after the theft is reported as required by the policy wording.
Your car goes in for repairs
In other covered situations, reimbursement may begin when your automobile is delivered for repair because of the loss or damage.
The key question is not just “Do I need a rental?” It is “Was the loss or damage caused by a peril for which I am insured?”
OPCF 20 limits can vary
OPCF 20 is not unlimited. Your policy may show a maximum amount payable per day and a maximum amount payable per occurrence.
Per-day limit
This is the maximum amount the insurer may reimburse per day for eligible transportation replacement expenses. If your rental vehicle costs more than the daily limit, you may be responsible for the difference.
Per-occurrence limit
This is the maximum amount the insurer may pay for one covered claim or occurrence. Even if the repair takes longer, the policy will not pay beyond the applicable limit.
Deductible condition
The OPCF 20 form states that payment applies only if the costs for loss or damage to your automobile exceed any applicable deductible shown on your Certificate of Automobile Insurance.
Time limit
OPCF 20 coverage does not run forever. Coverage generally ends when your automobile is repaired or replaced, or when the insurer offers payment to settle the claim.
Different insurers and policy options may offer different OPCF 20 limits. Always check the amount shown on your Certificate of Automobile Insurance or quote.
What OPCF 20 is not designed to do
OPCF 20 is useful, but it is often misunderstood. It is not the same as general rental car insurance.
Not for vacation rentals
OPCF 20 is for transportation replacement after covered loss or damage to your insured automobile. It is not the endorsement customers usually rely on when renting a vehicle for a trip.
Not for maintenance or breakdown
If your car is in the shop for maintenance, mechanical breakdown, worn parts, or routine repairs, OPCF 20 may not apply because there may be no covered insured loss.
Not unlimited coverage
OPCF 20 has limits. If your rental or transportation costs exceed the daily limit or total occurrence limit, you may have out-of-pocket costs.
OPCF 20 answers the question: “How will I get around while my car is being repaired or replaced after a covered claim?”
Can you add OPCF 20 with one-way coverage?
This is where customers need to be careful. OPCF 20 is tied to loss or damage caused by a peril for which your vehicle is insured.
If you have physical damage coverage
If your policy includes eligible physical damage coverage such as collision, comprehensive, specified perils, or all perils, OPCF 20 may be available depending on the insurer.
If you have liability-only coverage
If you choose true one-way or liability-only coverage and do not insure your own vehicle for physical damage, OPCF 20 may be unavailable or may not respond the way you expect.
Ask before removing coverage
Before removing collision, comprehensive, specified perils, or all perils, ask whether OPCF 20 will also be removed, limited, or unavailable.
Broker wording: if there is no insured physical damage peril for your own vehicle, do not assume you can keep transportation replacement coverage.
OPCF 20 vs. OPCF 27: do not confuse them
OPCF 20 and OPCF 27 both involve rental or temporary vehicles in some way, but they solve different problems.
OPCF 20
OPCF 20 helps with transportation replacement costs after covered loss or damage to your insured vehicle. It helps you get around while your vehicle is being repaired or replaced.
OPCF 27
OPCF 27 is about liability for damage to non-owned automobiles, such as certain rental or borrowed vehicles, subject to the endorsement wording, deductible, limits, territory, and eligibility rules.
Operator eligibility matters
Do not assume every operator is covered by OPCF 27. The driver must be an insured person under the endorsement. On personal policies this may include you, your spouse, and listed drivers. On business or entity policies, the person may need to be specifically named on the form.
Simple difference: OPCF 20 helps pay for replacement transportation after a covered claim. OPCF 27 may help protect you when you rent or borrow a vehicle you do not own.
Examples where OPCF 20 may matter
Your vehicle is in the repair shop after a covered collision
If the claim is covered and your vehicle cannot be used while repairs are completed, OPCF 20 may help with eligible rental or transportation expenses, subject to the daily and occurrence limits.
Your entire vehicle is stolen
If your vehicle is stolen and the policy requirements are met, OPCF 20 may help with temporary transportation while the claim is being handled.
Your repair takes longer than expected
If parts are delayed or repair time increases, your OPCF 20 limit becomes important. Once the total limit is used, extra rental days may become your responsibility.
Questions to ask about OPCF 20
OPCF 20 is worth reviewing before a claim happens. These questions can help you understand whether your transportation replacement limit is enough.
Do I have OPCF 20?
Ask your broker whether OPCF 20 is listed on your policy and which automobile it applies to.
What are my limits?
Ask for the maximum amount payable per day and per occurrence. These amounts can vary by policy and insurer.
Do I also have OPCF 27?
OPCF 20 and OPCF 27 are different. If you rent vehicles outside of a claim, ask whether OPCF 27 is available and who is covered as an insured person.
The best time to review OPCF 20 is before your vehicle is in the shop after a claim.
Continue learning about Ontario auto insurance
OPCF 27: Rental Car Coverage
Learn how OPCF 27 may apply when you rent or borrow a vehicle you do not own, and why operator eligibility matters.
Collision Coverage
Learn how collision coverage may protect your own vehicle after a covered collision and how the deductible works.
Comprehensive Coverage
Learn how comprehensive coverage may apply to theft, fire, hail, glass, rising water, vandalism, and falling objects.
OPCF 20 FAQs
What is OPCF 20?
OPCF 20 is an Ontario auto insurance endorsement for transportation replacement. It may help reimburse reasonable rental vehicle, taxi, or public transportation expenses after covered loss or damage to your insured automobile.
Is OPCF 20 the same as rental car coverage?
Not exactly. OPCF 20 helps with transportation after a covered claim involving your insured vehicle. OPCF 27 is the endorsement more commonly associated with damage coverage for certain rental or borrowed vehicles.
Does OPCF 20 have a limit?
Yes. OPCF 20 usually has a per-day limit and a per-occurrence limit. The exact amounts depend on the policy and insurer.
Does OPCF 20 apply if my car breaks down?
Usually no. OPCF 20 is tied to covered loss or damage caused by a peril for which you are insured. Regular maintenance, mechanical breakdown, or routine repairs are generally not what this endorsement is designed for.
Can I keep OPCF 20 if I remove collision and comprehensive?
You should ask your broker before removing coverage. If you remove the physical damage coverage that OPCF 20 depends on, the endorsement may be unavailable or may not respond as expected.
For OPCF 27, does the operator need to be a named insured?
The safer wording is that the operator must be an insured person under the OPCF 27 endorsement. On personal policies this may include you, your spouse, and listed drivers. On business or entity policies, the people may need to be specifically named on the form.
