Montreal is a great city full of exciting culture, great food, music, and sports. While it may seem like you’re in the Grand Prix taking tight turns around construction zones, you won’t be driving fast. The Champlain Bridge is one of Canada’s busiest bridges and slows to a crawl during rush hour commutes.
Montreal makes up 15% of claims submitted by Quebec drivers and as a result, pays some of the highest auto premiums in Quebec. But the average annual car insurance premium in Quebec is still the lowest in Canada coming in under $700, most Montreal drivers, however, will pay over $800.
Since 1978, Quebec car insurance has been a hybrid system. The two components of the mandated system are public (section A) and private (section B). The public or government-run coverage protects against bodily injury, whereas private insurers cover any property damage
Section A – public insurance
The public policy is administered by the Société de l’Assurance Automobile du Québec (SAAQ). SAAQ ensures all Montreal drivers, regardless of who’s at-fault, are covered for injury or death resulting from a vehicle collision.
No-fault insurance is part of this basic plan. Any Montrealers in a vehicle accident in Quebec are covered by the plan, regardless of whether or not they are responsible for the accident. No Montreal driver can sue against the person responsible for the traffic accident.
However, if you plan on driving outside the province of Quebec, call your insurance provider to adjust coverage accordingly. SAAQ will do their best to bring you back to Quebec to recover should something happen while you’re away.
The public coverage receives contributions from licensing and vehicle registration payments.
Section B – private insurance (required coverage)
Private insurance companies in Montreal are responsible for the following property damage coverages. Their full definitions are further down the page.
- Third-party liability
- Uninsured Motorist Protection
- Direct Compensation Property Damage
Optional car insurance in Montreal
You have the option to add to your Montreal auto insurance coverage to enhance your policy. The following are some common add-ons.
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- All perils
- Specified perils
Montreal insurance endorsements
You can also modify your existing coverage using Quebec Endorsement Forms (QEF). Here are some popular options.
- QEF 5c – extends coverage for a leased vehicle, no longer than 30 days.
- QEF 16 – Suspension of coverage during vehicle storage
- QEF 17 – reinstatement of coverage after vehicle storage
- QEF 44 – Allows you to carry your existing coverage into other specified countries
You can find a list of all the forms at the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) , an organisation responsible for financial regulation in the Canadian province of Québec