Quebec Accident Benefits Explained

Public or Private?

Quebec has public insurance through the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). This means the provincial government is responsible for issuing and regulating automobile insurance policies for the citizens of that province.

No fault or Tort-based?

Quebec has no-fault liability rules. This means an automobile insurer will pay certain benefits prior to determining who was liable and the parties cannot sue one another in court for a civil claim (usually negligence).

Accident benefits in Quebec

How to claim accident benefits in Quebec

Under the public automobile insurance plan, all Quebecers are covered in the event of a traffic accident in Québec or anywhere else in the world, regardless of whether they were responsible.
If you sustained bodily injuries in an accident, you must take the following actions as quickly as possible:

• See a physician and ask him or her to complete the initial medical report - If you are required to pay for the initial report, SAAQ will reimburse those fees up to a maximum of $30 on presentation of the receipt. The physician can also invoice his or her professional fees directly to SAAQ. You can Find a physician here.
• File your claim - File a claim for compensation as soon as possible after the accident, or have someone else file it for you if you are unable to.
  • The easiest way to report your claim is to use the SAAQ’s website.
  • This form is also available in all SAAQ service centres if you prefer to file your claim using a paper form. 
  • You can also phone SAAQ to report your accident and open your claim file at 1-800-463-6898
  • Remember to Phone your private insurer about any property damage to your vehicle
• The SAAQ will provide all the necessary documentation, including the Claim for Compensation form. Be sure to include the required documents with your claim. These may include:
  • The initial medical report
  • Proof of the accident, such as the accident report or a copy of the joint report of the traffic accident.
  • Supporting documents, such as receipts for expenses incurred
• Once you have filed your compensation claim along with the required documents, SAAQ will send you a receipt confirmation on which the name of the compensation officer assigned to your case will be indicated.
  • If necessary, your compensation officer will contact you within 10 business days after receiving your compensation claim to inform you about the steps and processing times involved in your file.
• If your claim is accepted, your compensation officer will indicate to you, in writing, the benefits to which you are entitled and the amounts you will receive.
• If you disagree with a decision by your compensation officer, phone him or her for additional explanations. If you still disagree with the decision, you have the right to contest that decision.

Remember:

If you have been injured in a crash and have coverage from another provider (for example, extended health care from your employer or individually purchased disability insurance), your other insurance will be the primary payer for most medical expenses and/or income replacement.

Want to Learn More?

Read or download  The Insurance Policy for all Quebecers in the Event of Injury or Death due to an Automobile Accident (gouv.qc.ca) from the SAAQ website.
You can also view a copy of Québec’s Public Automobile Insurance Plan - SAAQ (gouv.qc.ca)
‍You can also call SAAQ at 1-800-361-7620 for general information or visit SAAQ - Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (gouv.qc.ca)
‍If you have further questions about this process, or your benefits, contact your claims adjuster. If you do not know who your claims adjuster is, contact the insurance company.
You can also contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-844-227-5422 or the General Insurance Ombudservice at 1-877-225-0446.