Mandatory Coverage

Civil Liability

What it means: If you or any other insured person is in an accident and your vehicle injures or kills someone, or damages someone else’s property, you may be legally responsible.

• Your insurer will defend you in case of civil law suit and will make any payment required by law on your behalf, up to the amount specified in your policy.
• Under the Off-highway Vehicles Act, the owner of any off-highway vehicle shall hold a civil liability insurance contract in an amount of not less than $500,000 that covers bodily injury and property damage caused by the vehicle. Most drivers choose $1 million.
   

Examples:

• While riding in the U.S, you hit a pedestrian.
• You lose control of your vehicle, crashing into a house and damaging it.
   

La Société d’Assurance Automobile du Québec (SAAQ) does not usually provide any compensation when you injure someone while driving a vehicle off-highway. This means that if an accident happens off-highway, you may be sued for bodily injuries or property damage. In addition, if the accident happens outside Quebec you may also be sued for bodily injuries or property damage. Therefore, $2 million in coverage should be considered for these types of situations.

• Bodily Injury:
  If you reside in Quebec and are injured in or outside Quebec, you must submit your claim to La Société d’Assurance Automobile du Québec (SAAQ).
  NOTE: SAAQ may not cover bodily injury since it does not usually cover off-road accidents. For more information on the type of accidents excluded by the SAAQ, click here.
• Property Damage:
  Under Québec’s Direct Compensation Agreement, you collect from your own insurance company if your vehicle is damaged, even if the other driver is at fault.

The information and examples provided in this section are intended as general information only. This does not constitute legal or insurance advice, nor does it pertain to determination of fault. In all cases, you should speak to an insurance professional before acting. Your insurance policy contains limitations and restrictions which vary by province and may affect your coverage and/or determine whether or not benefits will be payable.