The Fichier central des sinistres automobiles (FCSA), Québec’s automobile claims database, came into operation on July 1, 1990. The database belongs to the AMF but is managed by the Groupement des assureurs automobiles (GAA).

Since July 1, 1991, the FCSA has been giving authorized insurers in Québec access to information on all automobile losses that Québec drivers have been involved in during the past six years. When insureds report automobile accidents to their insurers or file claims with them, the insurers transmit the information to the FCSA.

The information entered in the database following an accident, prescribed under section 179.1 of the Automobile Insurance Act (CQLR, c. A-25), is subject to the provisions of the Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information (CQLR, c. A-2.1), as it includes personal information concerning the drivers involved.

The database does not include any information regarding violations of the Highway Safety Code or demerit points.

Guide to compliance audit program and use of FCSA data (pdf - 606 KB)This link will open in a new windowUpdated on March 12, 2019Guide to compliance autodit program and use of FCSA data. The purpose of this Guide to Compliance Audit Program and Use of FCSA Data is to facilitate understanding of the compliance audit process by all users of the system.

Consulting the automobile claims database

Any person with a valid driver's licence may consult the data on their FCSA file (claims history statement) by making an online request via the GAA’s website This link will open in a new window. If, upon consulting their file, the insured wants to know the circumstances of a particular claim or notices an error concerning them, they can also make an online request This link will open in a new window to have the GAA verify the information with the insurer.

When the GAA receives such a request, it asks the insurer to confirm the information included on the insured’s file. If the insurer acknowledges that an error was made in the information it reported, the GAA may correct the insured’s file directly. However, if the insurer does not acknowledge that there is an error, the insured will have to approach the insurer to discuss the level of liability assigned to them. Only the insurer that reported the loss can change the information recorded in the FCSA.

Use of the FCSA by insurers and its role in pricing

Insurers can use the FCSA to consult the driving records of clients when they need to underwrite new risks or policies come up for renewal. Automobile insurers use various criteria to assess the risk represented by a driver and offer the fairest premium. The FCSA is therefore useful to insurers, because it makes information available to them that they can rely upon to establish their rating criteria for clients.