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A complete guide to SAAQ car insurance in Quebec
Quebec’s car insurance system is unique in Canada: it combines a public plan managed by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) for bodily injury protection with private car insurance for property damage and civil liability coverage.
This guide covers how the plan works, key statistics, the benefits offered, 2026 contribution fees, legal obligations and optional coverages to help you understand every aspect of your car insurance.
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What is the SAAQ and what is its role in car insurance?
The SAAQ is a Quebec government agency whose mission is to protect individuals from road-related risks. Created in 1978, it administers the public car insurance plan that covers bodily injury sustained in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. The SAAQ’s mandates touch on several aspects of road safety:
- Administering the public auto insurance plan and compensating victims
- Managing access to the road network by issuing driver’s licences and vehicle registrations
- Promoting road safety and accident prevention
- Regulating road transport and ensuring compliance with standards
The SAAQ finances its protections mainly through car insurance contributions collected during driver’s licence and vehicle registration renewals. These funds feed the Fonds d’assurance automobile du Quebec (Quebec’s automobile insurance fund), which is used to compensate victims and finance prevention services. But in concrete terms, how does this public plan connect with the insurance purchased from a private insurer?
How the car insurance system works in Quebec
Quebec is the only Canadian province to separate bodily injury and property damage coverage into two distinct parts. This system relies on a public plan administered by the SAAQ and mandatory insurance from a private insurer. Understanding this distinction is essential to properly protect your vehicle in Quebec.
Bodily injury coverage by the SAAQ (public plan)
The public insurance plan covers injury and death resulting from a traffic accident, regardless of fault. This means that anyone involved in an accident in Quebec receives compensation from the SAAQ, whether they’re responsible for the accident or not. This protection applies to all Quebec residents, anywhere in the world. It also covers vulnerable road users, notably pedestrians injured by a vehicle, cyclists involved in an accident and motorcyclists, as well as their passengers. In return, no one can file a lawsuit for bodily injury caused by a car accident in Quebec. The plan replaces the civil liability system for serious injuries and deaths related to the road.
Mandatory insurance with your private insurer (property damage and civil liability)
Coverage for your vehicle is not included in the SAAQ plan: you must purchase a car insurance policy from a private insurer. Quebec’s Automobile Insurance Act mandates a minimum of $50,000 in civil liability, but most drivers choose $1 million or $2 million in coverage. Your car insurance mainly covers:
- Civil liability for property damage caused to others
- Damage to your own vehicle according to the coverages chosen (collision, all perils or specified perils)
- The Direct Compensation Agreement, which allows you to claim damage to your vehicle from your own insurer when you are not at fault for the accident
The public plan and your car insurance are complementary: the SAAQ handles injuries, while your car insurance covers property damage. What does the public plan actually offer in the event of an accident?
What does the SAAQ public car insurance plan cover?
The public car insurance plan, administered by the SAAQ, offers several types of benefits to people who sustain injuries in a road accident. These compensations cover loss of income and medical expenses not covered by Quebec’s health insurance board, The Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), rehabilitation and permanent impairment. You have a maximum of three years after the accident to file a claim.
Income replacement indemnity
If a road accident prevents you from working, the SAAQ pays an indemnity corresponding to 90% of your net income, calculated on a maximum gross salary of $102,500 per year. This amount is non-taxable. Here are the main calculation parameters:
- Salaried or self-employed workers: 90% of net income based on actual salary at the time of the accident
- Unemployed individuals: the indemnity is calculated based on the average earnings of Quebec workers, which is $62,281 per year
- Students: indemnity based on the same average earnings, with additional compensation for missed school years
- From age 67: the indemnity is progressively reduced by 75%
Indemnity for permanent impairment and other compensation
In addition to income replacement, the SAAQ offers lump-sum indemnities for permanent impairment of up to $309,443. This amount is determined based on the severity of the injuries and the victim’s age at the time of the accident. Other compensations offered by the plan include:
- Caregiving expenses: from $552 to $753 per week, depending on the number of dependents
- Students: from $6,612 (elementary school) to $12,135 (secondary or post-secondary) per missed school year
- Medical and treatment expenses not covered by the RAMQ
- Physical, psychological and professional rehabilitation services
- Home assistance for essential tasks during recovery
What is not covered by the SAAQ?
The public plan has important restrictions you should know about. Certain situations are not covered by the SAAQ, and it’s in these cases that coverage purchased from an insurer becomes crucial. The SAAQ does not cover:
- Property damage to your vehicle or someone else’s
- Workplace accidents involving heavy trucks or light vehicles on a work site (covered by the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, or CNESST)
- Accidents that do not involve a moving road vehicle.
Additionally, income replacement benefits decrease with age starting at 67, which can limit the financial protection offered by the plan. For this reason, comprehensive car insurance from a private insurer is indispensable to protect your financial health and quality of life. But how much do the contributions that finance this plan cost?
How much do SAAQ car insurance contributions cost?
Every driver’s licence holder and registered vehicle owner in Quebec pays car insurance contributions to the SAAQ. These fees are collected when you renew or register a licence. They fund the Fonds d’assurance automobile du Quebec, which finances victim compensation and road safety programs. The total cost of your contributions depends on your licence class and the type of vehicle registered. Good news for Quebec drivers: the amount to pay has decreased significantly in recent years thanks to the excellent financial health of the Fund.
Car insurance contributions in 2026
In 2026, the SAAQ is applying a substantial reduction to the car insurance contributions linked to driver’s licences, which is great news for all types of licence-holders. This reduction is part of a positive trend that began in 2022, and is made possible by the returns of the Fonds d’assurance automobile du Quebec.
How to file a claim with the SAAQ after an accident
If you’re injured in a road accident in Quebec, you can file a claim with the SAAQ within a maximum of three years following the accident. Here are the steps in the process and the documents to gather to facilitate the processing of your file.
You can submit your application in three ways: online via the SAAQclic portal (the fastest way), via mail by filling out the claim form or in person at an SAAQ service outlet. You can also contact the SAAQ by phone to get information or assistance with your file. The documents to provide for your claim include:
- Your Quebec Health Insurance Card (RAMQ card)
- Detailed information about the accident (including the location, date and circumstances)
- Medical reports confirming your injuries
- The police report, if applicable
- Any supporting documents (such as photos, witness statements or a joint report)
The SAAQ will then analyze your claim and notify you of its decision in writing. If you are not satisfied, you have the right to request a review within 60 days.
For property damage to your vehicle, such as in the case of a car insurance claim for a total loss, you must file your claim with your private insurer.
What exactly are your car insurance obligations in Quebec?
Car insurance obligations in Quebec
Quebec’s Automobile Insurance Act requires every vehicle owner to have a car insurance policy from a private insurer. This private coverage must include a minimum of $50,000 in civil liability. Driving without insurance can result in fines and vehicle seizure. The Groupement des assureurs automobiles (GAA) guarantees access to basic insurance for all Quebec drivers, even those with a high-risk profile.
Mandatory coverage
Your car insurance policy in Quebec must include two areas of protection. Each covers a different situation and works in addition to the SAAQ public plan. Mandatory coverages include:
- Civil liability (Section A): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others in an accident outside Quebec, in addition to supplementing SAAQ benefits.
- Direct Compensation Agreement (Section B): allows you to claim damage to your vehicle directly from your own insurer when you are not at fault for the accident.
What are the optional coverages?
Beyond mandatory coverage, several options can better protect your vehicle and your finances. The choice depends on the value of your vehicle, your risk tolerance and your budget. The main optional coverages include:
- Collision: covers damage to your vehicle if you are at fault in an accident
- All perils: combines collision with protection against theft, vandalism and severe weather
- Specified perils: covers only specific events like theft, fire or hail
- Replacement cost: guarantees the replacement of your vehicle with a new one in the event of a total loss
To learn more about your property damage coverage options and choose the right protection for your situation, get an online quote for a complete picture of your options.
Get a car insurance quote online with Sonnet
Now that you understand how the SAAQ’s public plan works and your insurance obligations, it’s time to make sure you have the right protections in place for your situation. Get a personalized car insurance quote in just a few minutes with Sonnet, customize coverage and buy securely, entirely online.
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Frequently asked questions about car insurance and the SAAQ
Is car insurance mandatory in Quebec?
Yes, Quebec’s Automobile Insurance Act requires all drivers to hold a car insurance policy with a minimum of $50,000 in civil liability. Driving without insurance is also a penal offence. Bodily injuries are automatically covered by the SAAQ through contributions paid during driver’s licence and vehicle registration renewals.
What’s the difference between SAAQ insurance and insurance from a private insurer?
The SAAQ covers bodily injury (injury and death) resulting from a traffic accident on a no-fault basis, while your private insurer covers property damage to your vehicle and civil liability towards others. These two portions (the public plan and your private policy) are complementary and not interchangeable, and no one can sue for bodily injury caused by a car accident in Quebec.
How do I know if I’m covered by the SAAQ?
All Quebec residents are automatically covered by the SAAQ public plan through their car insurance contributions. This coverage is valid worldwide. Tourists involved in an accident in Quebec are also covered, depending on their share of responsibility in the accident.
How much does car insurance cost in Quebec on average?
The price of car insurance in Quebec varies depending on several factors: your driving record, the type of vehicle, where you live, the coverages chosen, your age and your driving experience. To find out your exact premium, get an online quote from Sonnet in just a few minutes.
What should I do after a road accident in Quebec?
First, make sure everyone is safe. Call 911 if anyone is injured, then quickly document the scene with photos and contact information for witnesses before filling out the joint report. Next, contact the SAAQ for bodily injury (you have three years to file a claim) and your insurer for property damage to your vehicle.
Can I sue someone for injuries sustained in a car accident in Quebec?
No. The SAAQ’s public car insurance plan is a no-fault system that prohibits lawsuits for bodily injury caused by a car accident in Quebec. Anyone injured receives compensation from the SAAQ, whether or not they’re responsible for the accident.
Does the SAAQ plan cover accidents outside Quebec?
Yes, Quebec residents are covered by the SAAQ public plan anywhere in the world for bodily injury sustained in a traffic accident. Your private car insurance policy is responsible for civil liability and property damage outside the province.
How do I dispute an SAAQ decision regarding my indemnity?
If you’re not satisfied with an SAAQ decision, you can request a review in writing within 60 days of receiving the decision. If the review doesn’t resolve your complaint, you have the option to take your case to the Tribunal administratif du Quebec.