Car Insurance in Quebec: How the SAAQ and Private Insurers Split Coverage

Quebec is the only province that splits car insurance between a public insurer and private companies by type of loss. The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) compensates bodily injury in road accidents, whoever caused the crash (a visitor from outside Quebec injured in Quebec is compensated only to the extent they were not responsible), and is funded by insurance contributions collected with driver’s licence and vehicle registration payments. Private insurers cover everything else: your civil liability for damage to other people’s property and, if you buy it, damage to your own car. Because injury claims are taken out of private premiums, Quebec’s published average covers property damage only and is measured differently from other provinces’ averages; the figures are on our average car insurance by province page. Our other guides are in the car insurance hub.

How coverage is split

SAAQ injury coverage

Quebec residents injured in a traffic accident anywhere in the world are covered by the SAAQ, regardless of who was responsible. There is no separate premium: insurance contributions are collected through driver’s licence and vehicle registration payments. In exchange, no one can sue the person responsible for a traffic accident in Quebec for bodily injury. Certain types of traffic accidents are not covered by the plan but by programs offered by other bodies.

Claiming from the SAAQ

After an injury, get medical treatment first, then file a compensation claim with the SAAQ. The deadline is three years from the date of the accident, the onset of the injury or the victim’s death. The SAAQ reviews the file, and a decision can be contested if you disagree with it.

Private insurance

Mandatory: civil liability

Every Quebec vehicle owner must carry private civil liability coverage of at least $50,000 for damage to others’ property. Higher limits are available and commonly chosen.

Optional: your own vehicle

What collision and comprehensive each pay for is explained in collision vs comprehensive insurance. A property damage claim goes to your private insurer, which arranges the assessment and repair; you pay the deductible.

What private premiums cost

The Groupement des assureurs automobiles (GAA) publishes the average private premium for passenger vehicles. In 2025 it was $1,067. Among vehicles carrying each coverage, the average was:

These coverage averages do not add up to the overall average, because not every vehicle carries collision or comprehensive. Your own premium depends on your record, age and experience, vehicle and where you live.

Demerit points and your insurance

The SAAQ administers Quebec’s demerit point system. Points affect your licence and, because insurers check your record when quoting, your private premium.

The SAAQ suspends or revokes a licence once points reach the threshold for the licence type. Points count toward that threshold for 2 years from the date of the conviction (for the licence fee, 2 years from the date they are entered). Points for offences committed outside Quebec can also be entered on the record as if the offence had occurred in Quebec, and excessive speeding can bring 30 or more points from a single conviction.

Source: SAAQ, “Demerit points” and “Offences and demerit points” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca).

Winter tires

From December 1 to March 15 inclusive, all motorized road vehicles registered in Quebec, other than heavy vehicles, tool vehicles and farm machinery, must be equipped with four winter tires in good condition (only tires bearing the winter tire pictogram, and studded tires, count), and the fine for not complying is $200 to $300 plus costs.

Quebec insurers

Quebec’s private market includes Desjardins and Intact, and Quebec-based mutuals such as Beneva (which La Capitale and SSQ Insurance became on January 1, 2023) and Promutuel. Insurers price the same driver differently, so comparing quotes for identical coverage is the simplest way to save. The discounts that apply everywhere, such as bundling and telematics, are in our guide to lowering a car insurance premium.

Dropping collision on an older car lowers the premium but leaves the car uninsured against a crash you cause, so the saving is worth weighing against what the car is worth.

Related reading

• Car insurance in Ontario
• Car insurance for new drivers
• Car insurance cost by age