The Fichier central des sinistres automobiles (FCSA), Québec’s automobile claims database, came into operation on July 1, 1990. The AMF designated the Groupement des assureurs automobiles (GAA) as the agency authorized to process received auto claims data and information.

The FCSA gives authorized insurers and firms registered in the damage insurance sector in Québec access to information on all automobile losses that Québec drivers have been involved in during the past six years.

The information entered in the database following an accident is the information, prescribed by 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)because, as it includes personal information concerning the drivers involvedthe accident.

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 recorded inon their FCSA file (claims history statement) by submittingmaking an online request via the GAA’s website This link will open in a new window. If, whenupon consulting their statementfile, the insured wisheswants to know the circumstances of, or notices an error in, a particular claim or notices an error concerning them, they maycan also submitmake 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 thesuch a request, it will asks the insurer to confirm the information included inon the insured’s statementfile. If the insurer acknowledges the presence of that an error was made in the information it reported, the GAA may correct the insured’s statementfile directly. However, if the insurer does not acknowledge the presence of that there is an error, the insured will have to approach the insurer to discuss the percentagelevel of liability assigned to them. Only the insurer that reported the loss maycan change the information recorded in the FCSA.

Use of the FCSA by insurers and its role in setting rates

Insurers and firms registered in the damage insurance sector can use the FCSA to consult the driving records of clients when they need to underwrite new risks or when 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 in setting rates to insurers, because it provides insurers and firms registered in the damage insurance sector with credible makes information available to them that they can use rely upon to offer establish their rating criteria for clients the fairest possible premium.