Auto insurance Information in clear and simple language

If you own or enter into a long-term lease for a vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, etc.), you are required to have automobile insuranceAutomobile insurance is insurance that covers civil liability related to a vehicle (for example, the damage caused by the insured’s vehicle). This insurance can also cover damage or loss related to the insured’s vehicle, for example in the event of an accident or theft..

Automobile insurance consists of two parts:

  1. Civil liability

    This part of automobile insurance is mandatory in Québec. It covers you when your vehicle damages the property, injures or causes the death of another person.

    This coverage is dealt with in Section A of your automobile insurance contract.

  2. Damage to your vehicle

    In Québec, you’re not required by law to have insurance covering damage to your own vehicle. However, if you borrow money or enter into a long-term lease for a vehicle, your financing or lease agreement will likely require you to have this type of insurance.

    This coverage is dealt with in Section B of your automobile insurance contract.

    Your automobile insurer can also offer you additional protections known as “endorsements.” These endorsements are called “Q.E.F.s,” or “Québec Endorsement Forms.” Three of the most common Q.E.F.s are:

    • Q.E.F. No. 20: lets you do such things as temporarily rent a vehicle at the insurer’s expense in the event of loss.
    • Q.E.F. No. 27: provides coverage if you are liable for damage caused to a vehicle that is rented or borrowed by you in Canada or the United States.
    • Q.E.F. No. 34: provides benefits in the event of death, dismemberment or loss of sight caused by an automobile accident.

    The replacement cost endorsement (Q.E.F No. 43) and replacement insurance (Q.P.F. No. 5) are offered to cover any loss in your vehicle’s value resulting from an accident or other covered damage. Find out about the features of these two products.

    Before entering into an automobile insurance contract, check all the protections offered by your insurer, the maximum amounts payable in the event of a claim, and the applicable deductibles.

Who can sell automobile insurance?

Damage insuranceDamage insurance is insurance that covers property (home, automobile) or a liability, such as in the event of a fire or accident, for example. agents and damage brokers are both authorized to offer automobile insurance products. Brokers must be able to obtain quotes from at least three insurers, whereas agents offer the products of a single insurer.

Damage insurance firms are also authorized to offer automobile insurance via the Internet.

An automobile dealer may, under certain conditions, offer you replacement insurance when you buy or lease a vehicle.

Insight

Shop around!

The cost of insurance can vary from insurer to insurer for exactly the same coverage and conditions. You could save a lot by shopping around.

End of the insight

Is your damage insurance representative or damage insurance firm authorized to offer you an automobile insurance product?

Proof of automobile insurance: electronic or paper?

You must be able to provide proof that the vehicle you’re driving is insured whenever someone like a police officer, for example, asks for it. Which is better: electronic proof of insurance you can display on your mobile phone when you need it or paper proof of insurance you keep within easy reach? It’s up to you! Presenting electronic proof of insurance instead of paper proof does not constitute an offense in Quebec.

Attention, however, you must:

  • be able to provide this proof at any time, even if your phone battery is dead!
  • make the proof of insurance accessible to anyone who drives your car, for example by sending it by e-mail.
  • hold proof of insurance in paper format for travel outside Quebec, until electronic proof of insurance is accepted everywhere.