Call your insurer or broker as soon as possible!
- Have your insurance policy number handy and clearly describe the circumstances of the accident.
Then send your supporting documents: Joint Report, photos of the accident scene and vehicles, towing bill, etc.
A claims adjuster will be allocated to your file.
He will investigate to establish certain elements, including:
- Validity of your auto insurance policy
- Coverage required to be compensated
- Your liability in the accident
This helps establish your policy’s claim terms and conditions, where applicable.
- Your insurer must compensate you within 60 days following receipt of your claims form or, if requested, of the information and supporting documents.
Call your insurer or broker as soon as possible!
- Have your insurance policy number handy and clearly describe the circumstances of the accident.
- Then send your supporting documents: photos, police report number, etc.
A claims adjuster will be allocated to your file.
He will investigate to establish certain elements, including:
- Validity of your auto insurance policy
- Coverage required to be compensated
This helps establish your policy’s claim terms and conditions, where applicable.
In case of theft, your insurer will generally wait 30 days before paying out compensation, in case your vehicle is found within this period.
In case of theft
- You will be compensated if you purchased coverage for theft (All Perils, Comprehensive – Excluding Collision or Upset, or Specified Perils). The insurer deducts the amount of the coverage deductible you chose.
Hit and run
- You will be compensated if you purchased coverage for damage to your vehicle (All Perils, or Collision or Upset). The insurer deducts the amount of the coverage deductible you chose.
- Was your vehicle found damaged? In most cases, your insurer will have it repaired.
- Property stolen from your vehicle? Give your insurer a list of the objects that were in your car:
- Your auto insurance policy covers you for vehicle accessories (i.e., booster cables, luggage rack, winter or summer tires).
- Your home insurance policy covers you for other objects, like a laptop or golf bag. If you do not have a home insurance policy, you won't be compensated for the lost of these objects.
- Your insurer must compensate you within 60 days following receipt of your claims form or, if requested, of the information and supporting documents.
In a hit and run, an individual involved in a collision leaves the scene of the accident before identifying himself or herself.
Assessing your liability in a collision
Your insurer uses the Direct Compensation Agreement (DCA) to assess your degree of liability. The DCA illustrates the main possible accident scenarios (based on the Highway Safety Code).
Impact of liability on compensation
Under the DCA, each insurer is responsible for the compensation paid out to its policyholder.
If you’re liable, you’ll receive compensation if your insurance policy covers collision (Section B of the policy). You’ll have to pay the deductible.
If you’re not liable, you’ll receive compensation under civil liability coverage (Section A of the policy). You’ll not be required to pay the deductible.
The DCA* only applies to collisions that occur in Quebec and which meet the following conditions:
- The collision involves at least two vehicles.
- The owners of the vehicles involved identified themselves.
- The vehicles belong to different owners.
- The owner did not hit his own vehicle.
* The DCA also covers less frequent situations. Click here to find out more.
Why can’t I sue the driver responsible for the collision for compensation?
Under the provisions of section 116 of the Automobile Insurance Act, each policyholder is compensated by his or her own insurer in the case of a collision to which the DCA applies. The only recourse available is against the insurer. This provision, which has existed for a long time, simplifies and streamlines the claims settlement process.
Fichier central des sinistres automobiles:
your claims file
Once your claim has been settled, your insurer registers the loss in the Fichier central des sinistres automobiles (FCSA). This file contains all losses incurred during the past six years.
The loss is attributed to the custodian of the vehicle. This is the person who had charge physically of the car at the time of the loss (not necessarily the owner of the vehicle).
Whether you file a claim or not, declare all accidents to your insurer so that your version is entered in the FCSA.
You can obtain a copy of your FCSA claims statement online.