If you are involved in a car accident and your car has been damaged, you may naturally think the culprit will have to pay for everything. However, and many people ignore this, there is a no-fault coverage in Quebec.
In this article, our SAAQ lawyers tell you more about what the no-fault insurance is and how it works.
SAAQ no-fault insurance coverage
According to the SAAQ, the no-fault coverage offers road users in Quebec protection in case of an accident. This insurance plan provides benefits in the event of injury or death caused by a car accident in Quebec and anywhere else in the world (more on this later).
“No-fault” means that the SAAQ’s compensation for road accident victims does not consider the responsibility of any person or even organization. This also means that the person responsible for the accident could be compensated in the same way as the victim.
The SAAQ’s no-fault plan covers only physical injuries. Damage to the vehicle involved in the accident is not covered by this insurance. Materials damages can only be compensated by private insurers.
The driver’s responsibility in a road accident
As mentioned above, only private insurers can compensate the victims of a car accident for material damages. As such, Quebec insurers determine the liability of the insured person and compensate them accordingly, under the Direct Compensation Agreement (DCA).
In short, it is important to distinguish between the SAAQ’s no-fault insurance and the reimbursement provided by your private insurer. You will have to contact the right organization to obtain compensation. For more information, you can also contact our team. They will be happy to assist you!
What if you have a road accident outside Quebec?
Quebec’s public automobile insurance plan, or the SAAQ’s no-fault plan, protects you even outside the region and around the world, whether you are at fault in a car accident or not.
However, if you are involved in a road accident outside of Quebec, you could be sued in the courts of the place where the accident occurred for damages you caused to other road users.
When driving outside of Quebec, it is important to inform your private auto insurer and have them adjust your insurance coverage. If you have been involved in an accident outside the region, it is important to notify the SAAQ as soon as possible if you wish to be compensated.
What are the downsides of the SAAQ’s no-fault insurance?
The SAAQ’s no-fault insurance coverage can provide compensation for personal injuries related to a car accident. This legal measure then implies that it is impossible for an individual or an organization to sue the person responsible for the accident.
This is a point of contention among some Quebec citizens for several reasons:
- The alleged carelessness of the Quebec government in the case of poor infrastructure or signage cannot be questioned
- Compensation can be slow and take several months
- People responsible for an accident should not be compensated when they are at fault since it is an injustice
Contact Bégin Avocats to defend against the SAAQ
In addition to claims made against the SAAQ, Bégin Avocats also defends victims of work-related accidents, as well as victims of IVAC. We take charge of the contestation of the decisions issued and the representation of our clients, whether before the administrative tribunal of labour or before the administrative tribunal of Quebec.
To contest a decision of the SAAQ, feel free to contact our experts now! We will be pleased to answer all your questions.
