All about auto
insurance in Quebec
Own a car?
Here’s what you need to know.
QUEBEC’S AUTO INSURANCE PLAN
A Mixed Public-Private Plan
Private insurers cover your civil liability and damage to your vehicle for your travel in Canada and the U.S.
The public plan, administered by Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), covers you all over the world if you’re injured.
3 STEPS TO ENSURE
MANDATORY: Civil Liability Coverage
Own a car? In Quebec, you must have civil liability coverage of at least $50,000. This is Section A of your policy. Most often, individuals choose coverage for $1 million or $2 million.
Section A Coverage- Material damage to your vehicle, following a collision in Quebec, for which you aren’t at fault.
- Material damage and bodily injury, following a collision outside Quebec.
- Damage caused unintentionally to a third party for which you’re held responsible.
RECOMMENDED: Coverage for Material Damage to Your Vehicle Following a Collision, Theft, Vandalism, etc.
If you want, you can choose between different types of coverage. This is Section B of your policy.
Section B Coverage?- Collision, if you’re at fault.
- Vandalism, theft, attempted theft, fire.
- Wind, hail, flood, etc.
Your insurance agent or broker can advise you. If you took out a car loan, you very likely need coverage for all.
HANDY TO HAVE: Add the Options for Specific Needs
Your car is at the garage and you need to rent a car for a short period? You’d like to have the damage repaired or have your car replaced, without taking into account its depreciation?
Additional coverage is available in these cases, depending on how you use your vehicle.
What Are these Endorsements?- Endorsement 20 : reimburses the rental of a car for a short period of time if yours is at the garage.
- Endorsement 27 : cover damage in case of an accident for a car that doesn’t belong to you and that you often borrow or rent.
- Endorsement 43 ou Replacement insurance : allows the damage to be repaired or your car replaced based on replacement cost without taking into account its depreciation.
Check with your insurance agent or broker to find out what options you might have.
AND DON’T FORGET THE DEDUCTIBLE!
The deductible is the amount you pay when you file a claim.
Low or High Deductible?It can reduce your premium, but remember you’re better off choosing an amount you can afford to pay if you have an accident.
HOW MUCH DOES AUTO INSURANCE COST?
It all depends…Your auto insurance premium is based on a number of factors: your model of car, your driver profile, your coverage, your deductible, etc.
Shop Around and Compare Quotes!
Main Factors that Affect the Premium- What car you drive: make, model, year, value, repair costs, etc.
- Your driver profile: age, sex, what you use your car for, where you live and where you use your car, your FCSA claims file, your SAAQ driving record, your credit information, etc.
- Coverage chosen
- Deductible amount
- Changes in the insurance market impacts premiums across the board, from one year to the next, either up or down, regardless whether you filed a claim or not:
- Natural disasters, winter conditions, new technologies, all of which drive up the number and cost of claims.
- Loss experience can improve and make the insurance market more competitive.
4 STEPS IN CASE OF ACCIDENT
AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION
Collision with injuries or hit-and-run? Call the police.
Fender bender? Just complete a Joint Report. Don’t have one? Then exchange your complete information with the other driver (name, phone number, driver’s licence number, proof of insurance).
Joint Report at a glance
CLAIM
Call your insurer as soon as possible. In case of a collision, he’ll establish whether or not you’re at fault, using the Direct Compensation Agreement (DCA).
At-fault or Not At-fault for a Collision?To find out, your insurer uses the Direct Compensation Agreement (DCA), which describes every possible collision scenario to establish each driver’s responsibility.
- At-fault? You’ll be indemnified if you have collision coverage (Section B); however, you have to pay the deductible chosen.
- Not at-fault? You’ll be indemnified even if you don’t have collision coverage, and there’s no deductible to pay.
DAMAGE APPRAISAL
Your insurer will assess the cost of repairs, which lets you know whether your car can be repaired, or if it has to be declared a total loss.
REPAIRS
You can use the repair shop of your choice, or the one recommended by your insurer. New parts or recycled parts? That depends on your coverage.
YOUR CLAIMS FILE
The Fichier central des sinistres automobiles (FCSA) is a database that your insurer consults to track your claims history for the past six years (accident, theft, vandalism, etc.). This information is also used to establish your auto insurance premium.
Consult or verify your Claims File: You can do it for free if you believe there is a mistake.
Go to your Claims history statement