SAAQ: What Situations Are Covered by the Public Car Insurance Plan?  

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If you have a driver’s licence, chances are you’ve heard of the public car insurance plan offered by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). But when does the SAAQ step in? When should you turn to private insurance or another organization? Test your knowledge and learn more with these true or false questions.  

Things you should know about car insurance in Quebec  

All residents of Quebec are insured by the public insurance plan managed by the SAAQ. This plan offers coverage for physical injuries—including death—resulting from accidents involving a road vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. The SAAQ cannot compensate you for damage to your vehicle or other vehicles involved. 

But there are many other limits to the coverage offered by the SAAQ. It’s important to understand these limits to make sure you’re adequately protected in case of an accident.  

Did you know?

Non-residents who are visiting Quebec can also benefit from the public car insurance plan, but this coverage depends on their degree of responsibility for the accident.
Que couvre la SAAQ en cas d’accident (anglais)

True or false? Passengers in a car involved in an accident can receive compensation for their injuries, even if they don’t have a driver’s licence.

Right answer

The SAAQ covers everyone involved in an accident, whether they have a driver’s licence or not. Whether they’re in a vehicle, on foot, or on a bicycle, victims can be compensated as long as the accident involves a road vehicle.

Wrong answer

The SAAQ covers everyone involved in an accident, whether they have a driver’s licence or not. Whether they’re in a vehicle, on foot, or on a bicycle, victims can be compensated as long as the accident involves a road vehicle.

True or false? The SAAQ insurance plan automatically covers all accidents involving a motor vehicle, regardless of the type of vehicle.

Wrong answer

The SAAQ does not cover all types of motor vehicles. For example, off-road vehicles like snowmobiles, ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and dirt bikes are not covered. 

The SAAQ can only compensate you if your off-road vehicle is involved in an accident with a car, truck, or another vehicle travelling on public roads. This means that the SAAQ will not compensate you, for example, if you get injured by falling off your snowmobile or in a collision between two off-road vehicles. 

However, all owners of off-road vehicles are required by law to have civil liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 to cover damages. This means you can still receive compensation if you’re injured by someone driving an off-road vehicle. 

Right answer

The SAAQ does not cover all types of motor vehicles. For example, off-road vehicles like snowmobiles, ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and dirt bikes are not covered. 

The SAAQ can only compensate you if your off-road vehicle is involved in an accident with a car, truck, or another vehicle travelling on public roads. This means that the SAAQ will not compensate you, for example, if you get injured by falling off your snowmobile or in a collision between two off-road vehicles. 

However, all owners of off-road vehicles are required by law to have civil liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 to cover damages. This means you can still receive compensation if you’re injured by someone driving an off-road vehicle. 

True or false? In the event of a road accident while at work, you must file a claim with the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST).

Right answer

If you use Quebec’s public roads during your work hours, for example, to make deliveries, provide home care or drive a bus, your accident is covered by the CNESST instead of the SAAQ. This is because the CNESST is the organization that compensates work accidents.

Wrong answer

If you use Quebec’s public roads during your work hours, for example, to make deliveries, provide home care or drive a bus, your accident is covered by the CNESST instead of the SAAQ. This is because the CNESST is the organization that compensates work accidents.

True or false? Accidents that occur during the maintenance or repair of a vehicle are not covered by the SAAQ insurance plan.

Right answer

Accidents that take place during the repair, maintenance, or modification of a vehicle are not covered by the SAAQ. For example, if your car falls on you while you’re working under it, the SAAQ won’t compensate you. However, if you get hurt while using your car, like while clearing snow off it, the SAAQ could compensate you.

Accidents caused by devices that work separately from the vehicle, like a heater in a trailer, are also not covered. 

Wrong answer

Accidents that take place during the repair, maintenance, or modification of a vehicle are not covered by the SAAQ. For example, if your car falls on you while you’re working under it, the SAAQ won’t compensate you. However, if you get hurt while using your car, like while clearing snow off it, the SAAQ could compensate you.

Accidents caused by devices that work separately from the vehicle, like a heater in a trailer, are also not covered. 

True or false? Accidents caused by a pet inside a vehicle are covered by the SAAQ insurance plan.

Wrong answer

Accidents caused by a pet inside your vehicle are not covered by the SAAQ. For example, if your dog bites you or jumps on you while you’re driving and causes you to crash, the SAAQ will not compensate you.

However, if the accident is caused by an animal outside your vehicle, like a moose or deer crossing the road, the SAAQ could compensate you for your injuries.  

Right answer

Accidents caused by a pet inside your vehicle are not covered by the SAAQ. For example, if your dog bites you or jumps on you while you’re driving and causes you to crash, the SAAQ will not compensate you.

However, if the accident is caused by an animal outside your vehicle, like a moose or deer crossing the road, the SAAQ could compensate you for your injuries.  

True or false? If you think the compensation offered by the SAAQ is unfair, you can request a review.

Right answer

You can request a review of the SAAQ’s decision unless you’ve already received the maximum possible compensation.  

To request a review, you must submit a written request with evidence within 60 days of receiving the decision. A legal professional can help you prepare your case.

If you’re still not satisfied with the new decision, you can contest it before the Tribunal administratif du Québec (administrative tribunal of Quebec) within 60 days of receiving the new decision. The decision of the administrative tribunal is final and cannot be appealed. 

Si la nouvelle décision ne vous satisfait toujours pas, vous pouvez la contester devant le Tribunal administratif du Québec (TAL) dans les 60 jours suivant la réception de la nouvelle décision. La décision du TAL est définitive et sans appel. 

Wrong answer

You can request a review of the SAAQ’s decision unless you’ve already received the maximum possible compensation.  

To request a review, you must submit a written request with evidence within 60 days of receiving the decision. A legal professional can help you prepare your case.

If you’re still not satisfied with the new decision, you can contest it before the Tribunal administratif du Québec (administrative tribunal of Quebec) within 60 days of receiving the new decision. The decision of the administrative tribunal is final and cannot be appealed. 

Si la nouvelle décision ne vous satisfait toujours pas, vous pouvez la contester devant le Tribunal administratif du Québec (TAL) dans les 60 jours suivant la réception de la nouvelle décision. La décision du TAL est définitive et sans appel.