Provinces, Prices & 2026 Rules
Car insurance in Quebec: what the SAAQ covers and what your private policy is for
How Quebec's hybrid auto insurance system works: SAAQ no-fault injury coverage, the mandatory $50,000 property damage liability, chapter B coverage and the direct compensation agreement.
In Quebec, bodily injury from a car accident is covered by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), whoever caused it, and you generally cannot sue for those injuries. Your private policy covers something else: your civil liability for property damage you cause to others (legal minimum $50,000) and, if you choose, damage to your own vehicle. So when you compare Quebec renewals, you are comparing the private policy only: the civil liability limit, the chapter B coverages for your car, the deductibles and the endorsements.
This guide explains the split, the standard policy structure, how claims between drivers are settled and what to check at renewal. Prices in examples are illustrative.
What the SAAQ covers
Under the Automobile Insurance Act (Loi sur l'assurance automobile), the SAAQ compensates people injured in automobile accidents on a no-fault basis. For Quebec residents this applies to accidents in Quebec and elsewhere. Compensation can include income replacement, reimbursement of certain expenses, and compensation for permanent impairment, within the SAAQ's rules and maximums. It is financed largely through the insurance contribution included in your driver's licence and registration fees, not through your private premium.
Because injuries are handled publicly, your private insurer does not sell accident benefits for your injuries in Quebec, and a Quebec quote should not be compared line by line with an Ontario quote.
The private policy: chapter A and chapter B
Quebec uses a standard owner's policy form, the Police d'assurance automobile du Québec (FPQ No. 1), approved by the AMF. It has two main parts:
| Part | What it covers | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter A: civil liability | Damage you cause to other people's property, and liability for injuries outside Quebec | Yes, minimum $50,000 |
| Chapter B: damage to the insured vehicle | B1 all risks; B2 collision or upset; B3 all perils except collision; B4 specified perils | No, you choose |
Most drivers buy a chapter A limit of $1 million or $2 million, not the $50,000 minimum, because property damage claims involving several vehicles, buildings or a truck, and liability for injuries when you drive outside Quebec, can be large. Endorsements (identified by FAQ numbers, formulaires d'avenant du Québec) add options such as replacement cost for a new vehicle or rental coverage. Read the endorsement list on each quote.
How damage claims between drivers work
When two or more insured vehicles collide in Quebec and the owners can be identified, the Direct Compensation Agreement (Convention d'indemnisation directe) means you claim damage to your vehicle from your own insurer, which then applies the industry's fault rules to decide your share. If you are not responsible, your insurer pays without applying your deductible. If you are partly or fully responsible, your chapter B coverage (if any) pays your share, minus the deductible. Without chapter B, you bear your share of the damage yourself.
Claims are recorded in the Fichier central des sinistres automobiles, the industry claims file used by insurers. You can request your own record to check it.
Worked example: chapter B choice for an older car (illustrative)
Sophie in Sherbrooke drives a 2014 hatchback worth about $7,000. Her renewal:
- Chapter A $2 million: $520
- Chapter B2 collision, $500 deductible: $310
- Chapter B3 all perils except collision, $250 deductible: $140
- Total: $970
Should she drop B2 collision? If she causes a crash and the car is written off, B2 would pay about $7,000 - $500 = $6,500. If the car is damaged for $3,000, B2 pays $2,500. Without B2 she saves $310 a year.
Break-even: dropping collision pays off if, over the years, the at-fault collision losses she absorbs average less than $310 a year. A rough test: $310 / $6,500 = 4.8%. If she thinks the chance of an at-fault write-off in a year is below about 5% and she could absorb a $7,000 loss, dropping B2 is reasonable. If losing the car would leave her without transport she cannot replace, keeping B2 makes sense. Keeping B3 (theft, fire, glass, hail) at $140 is usually good value on a car that is parked outside.
Note that a not-at-fault collision with an identified insured vehicle is handled under direct compensation without B2, so dropping collision mainly affects crashes you cause, single-vehicle crashes and hit-and-runs.
Quebec-specific points at renewal
- Winter tires are mandatory on passenger vehicles registered in Quebec from 1 December to 15 March under the Highway Safety Code. Not having them can also matter in a claim.
- Language. Policies and renewal documents are provided in French, with English often available on request.
- Brokers and agents. Damage insurance representatives must hold a certificate issued by the AMF. Check the AMF register before you buy.
- Driving outside Quebec. Your SAAQ coverage follows you as a Quebec resident, but your liability to others outside Quebec (including for injuries) is covered by your private chapter A limit. That is another reason not to stay at $50,000.
- High-theft vehicles. Some insurers require an approved anti-theft or tracking system for certain models, or apply surcharges. Ask before you buy a vehicle.
How to compare Quebec quotes
- Same chapter A limit on every quote.
- Same chapter B options and deductibles.
- Same endorsements (replacement cost, rental, etc.).
- Same drivers and use.
- Then test a realistic at-fault claim with the quote comparison tool.
When to get advice
For a serious injury, contact the SAAQ about your claim and consider advice from a lawyer if you disagree with a decision; the SAAQ has a review process and decisions can then be contested before the Tribunal administratif du Québec. For a dispute with a private insurer, see the complaints guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay for SAAQ coverage in my private premium?
No. The SAAQ insurance contribution is charged with your driver's licence and vehicle registration. Your private premium pays for chapter A and any chapter B coverage.
Is $50,000 of civil liability enough?
It is the legal minimum, but it can be exhausted quickly by damage to several vehicles or property, or by liability for injuries outside Quebec. Most drivers buy $1 million or $2 million.
Am I covered by the SAAQ if I am injured in Ontario?
As a Quebec resident, SAAQ compensation applies to accidents outside Quebec too, subject to its rules. Liability to others is a separate question handled by your private policy.
Can I drop chapter B on an old car?
Yes, it is optional. Weigh the premium against what you would lose if the car were damaged in a crash you caused, and keep at least theft and fire coverage if the car is parked outside.
More guides
- Car insurance by province: overview
- What determines your car insurance rate
- ICBC in BC, the other province where injury lawsuits are largely removed
- Choosing liability limits and coverages
- $500 or $1,000 deductible
Sources
- SAAQ — public bodily injury insurance and winter tire rules
- Autorité des marchés financiers — insurer and representative supervision, register, complaints
- Groupement des assureurs automobiles — direct compensation, fault rules and the claims file
- Tribunal administratif du Québec — appeals of SAAQ review decisions
