Car Insurance in Quebec: How the SAAQ and Private Plans Work
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Car insurance in Quebec works differently from the rest of Canada. A public plan run by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) covers injuries for every Quebecer, no matter who caused the accident. Private insurers cover the rest: damage to your car and the property damage you cause to others. This guide explains both halves, what is mandatory, what you pay in 2026, and how to compare quotes. For other provinces and insurance types, start from our insurance hub.
All figures come from the SAAQ, the Groupement des assureurs automobiles (GAA), or Quebec's Automobile Insurance Act, as of October 18, 2026.
How car insurance works in Quebec
Quebec splits car insurance into two parts. Bodily injury goes through the SAAQ's public plan. Property damage goes through private insurance that you buy from an insurer or a broker.
You never buy the public plan directly. You pay for it through insurance contributions included in your driver's licence and your vehicle registration. The private policy is a separate contract, and its price depends on you, your car, and the insurer.
This split explains why Quebec premiums look lower than those in Ontario or Alberta. A Quebec policy does not have to fund injury compensation, because the public plan already does.
The SAAQ public plan for injuries
The SAAQ says all Quebecers are covered for injuries sustained in a traffic accident, anywhere in the world, whether or not they are responsible for the accident. You can read the official description on the SAAQ's public automobile insurance plan page.
What the public plan covers
The plan compensates people injured in a car accident, including drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. It applies without regard to fault, so you do not need to prove anyone was responsible. It also applies when you travel outside Quebec.
What it does not cover
The public plan does not pay for damage to your vehicle or for the damage you cause to someone else's property. According to the SAAQ's travel guide, it also does not cover injuries to non-residents. If you keep a home outside Quebec as well, you must live in Quebec at least 183 days a year to be covered.
- Damage to your car: covered only by your optional private coverage.
- Damage you cause to others' property: covered by your mandatory private civil liability.
- Injuries to non-residents: not covered by the Quebec public plan.
- Residents who live in Quebec less than 183 days a year: not covered if they also keep a home outside Quebec.
How you pay for it
Your share is built into two SAAQ payments. As of October 18, 2026, the SAAQ publishes these 2026 amounts:
- Class 5 licence, insurance contribution: $93.92, including 9% tax
- Class 5 licence, total renewal cost: $120.67 with no demerit points
- Class 5 licence, after the 2026 rebate: $50.23 with no demerit points
- Passenger vehicle registration, insurance contribution: $71.96, including 9% tax
For 2026, holders of class 5 and class 6 licences get a 75% saving on the insurance contribution when they obtain or renew their licence. The table below shows the full registration cost, which varies by region.
| Item | Insurance contribution | Total cost in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Class 5 licence, no demerit points | $93.92 before the 75% saving | $50.23 (instead of $120.67) |
| Registration, standard | $71.96 | $217.41 |
| Registration, municipality served by public transit | $71.96 | $247.41 |
| Registration, Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal | $71.96 | $400.86 |
Private insurance for property damage
The second half of your coverage is a private policy. Quebec's Automobile Insurance Act makes part of it mandatory.
Mandatory civil liability
Every owner of a car driven in Quebec must hold liability insurance for property damage caused by that car. Article 87 of the Act sets the minimum at $50,000. That amount can be too low if you damage an expensive vehicle or a building, so many drivers choose a higher limit. Any amount above your limit is yours to pay.
Optional coverage
Coverage for your own car is optional, unless your lender or lessor requires it. The two main options are:
- Collision: pays for damage to your car when you hit another vehicle or an object, after your deductible.
- Accident without collision: pays for damage from causes such as theft, fire, vandalism, or hail.
If you finance or lease your car, your contract usually requires both. Read your contract before you drop either option.
The direct compensation agreement
Article 173 of the Act requires the GAA to set up a direct compensation agreement between insurers. It applies to a collision in Quebec between at least two vehicles whose owners are identified. You claim from your own insurer, and the agreement's standard tables decide who was at fault. If you disagree with the settlement, article 116 still lets you sue under the general law.
How much car insurance costs in Quebec
The GAA publishes the official average for private car insurance. In 2025, the average premium for a passenger vehicle was $1,067. That figure covers property damage insurance only, because the SAAQ handles injuries.
The GAA also publishes an average for each coverage in 2025:
- Civil liability: $473
- Collision: $429
- Accident without collision: $262
Each figure is an average for that coverage alone, so they do not add up to the overall average. Your own premium depends on your claims history, your vehicle, where you park it, and the options you choose. Our guide to how much car insurance costs explains the main pricing factors.
Your claims file in Quebec
Insurers in Quebec report every claim they pay to the Fichier central des sinistres automobiles (FCSA), hosted by the GAA. That includes claims in your own car, a company car, or a borrowed one. The file covers the 6 years before the date you consult it.
Only you and an insurer can see your file, and you can request it online for free on the GAA website. Check it before you shop for insurance. An error in your file can raise every quote you receive.
Driving without insurance in Quebec
Driving an uninsured car is an offence under the Automobile Insurance Act. An owner who uses or lets someone use an uninsured car faces a fine of $325 to $2,800. The same range applies to a driver who knowingly drives an uninsured car.
How to lower your premium
Start by comparing several quotes for the same coverage. A broker can quote several insurers, while a direct insurer quotes only its own products. Our insurance comparison tool is a good place to start, and our guide to cheap car insurance lists the usual discounts.
Then adjust what you control. A higher deductible lowers your premium if you can pay it after a claim. On an older car with a low resale value, you might decide to drop collision coverage. Bundling home and auto, or joining a telematics program, can also cut the price, depending on the insurer.
Our reviews of Desjardins car insurance, belairdirect car insurance, and Intact car insurance cover three insurers that sell policies in Quebec.
Conclusion
Car insurance in Quebec has two layers. The SAAQ public plan covers your injuries anywhere in the world, funded through your licence and registration. A private policy covers property damage, with at least $50,000 in civil liability.
The GAA put the average private premium at $1,067 in 2025, and the SAAQ cut the 2026 licence insurance contribution by 75% for class 5 and 6 holders. Check your FCSA claims file, choose a liability limit above the minimum, and compare quotes for the same coverage. If you are new to the topic, our explainer on what car insurance is covers the basics.
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Frequently asked questions about car insurance in Quebec
Is car insurance mandatory in Quebec?
Yes. Every owner of a car driven in Quebec must hold at least $50,000 in civil liability insurance for property damage, bought from a private insurer. Injuries are covered separately by the SAAQ public plan, which you pay for through your licence and registration. Collision and accident without collision are optional unless your lender requires them. Our guide to what car insurance is explains each coverage.
What does the SAAQ cover after a car accident?
The SAAQ public plan covers injuries sustained in a traffic accident, anywhere in the world, whether or not you caused the accident. It does not pay for damage to your car or for property damage you cause to others. That part comes from your private policy. Compare private policies on our insurance comparison tool.
How much is car insurance in Quebec on average?
The GAA reports an average premium of $1,067 in 2025 for passenger vehicles. This covers property damage insurance only, since the SAAQ handles injuries. Your own quote can be higher or lower depending on your claims history, vehicle, and options. Our guide to car insurance costs explains what moves the price.
Why is my 2026 driver's licence cheaper?
For 2026, the SAAQ gives holders of class 5 and class 6 licences a 75% saving on the insurance contribution included in their licence. With no demerit points, a class 5 licence costs $50.23 in 2026 instead of $120.67. The saving applies when you obtain or renew your licence. The SAAQ publishes these amounts on its insurance contributions page.
What is the direct compensation agreement?
It is an agreement between insurers that the GAA must set up under Quebec law. After a collision in Quebec between at least two identified vehicles, you claim damage to your car from your own insurer. Standard tables then decide who was at fault. You keep the right to sue if you disagree with the settlement.
How long does a claim stay on my Quebec file?
The FCSA, the central claims file hosted by the GAA, covers the 6 years before the date you consult it. Every claim an insurer paid is reported there, even in a borrowed or company car. You can request your file online for free. Review it before you compare quotes on our insurance comparison page.
Does the SAAQ cover me when I drive in another province?
Yes, for injuries. The SAAQ says Quebecers are covered for injuries sustained in a traffic accident anywhere in the world. For damage and liability outside Quebec, your private policy applies, so ask your insurer how it covers driving in other provinces. Our insurance hub has more guides on coverage across Canada.
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