A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES
                Essential to the Industry

The GAA performs a wide range of activities related to the automobile insurance industry, both on behalf of its members, and as an authorized agent of the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). These include:

1. The Automobile Statistical Plan

Since 1979, via the Automobile Statistical Plan (ASP), the GAA has recorded data on premiums and claims, as well as all relevant information on the operating expenses of each insurer or group of insurers. The « Autorité des marchés financiers » uses ASP data to prepare its annual report on automobile insurance rates.



2. The Automobile Claims Database

In use since July 1990, the Automobile Claims Database (FCSA) is a central repository of all automobile-related losses that have occurred in Québec. It contains information on the claims filed by all policyholders over the last six reference years. It enables insurers to learn about their clients' histories, and to set fair and equitable premiums.

The Automobile Claims Database is consulted about 1,500,000 times each year. Any policyholder can obtain a copy of his or her Automobile Claims file. To find out how to obtain a copy of your record, click here.

To better understand your claims record, download the pamphlet The Fichier Central des Sinistres Automobiles – Understanding Your Statement!



3. The Insurance Information Centre

For the past several years, the GAA, in conjunction with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, has been operating the Insurance Information Centre for the benefit of consumers. This free service allows consumers to obtain complete and objective information from trained, knowledgeable agents. The Centre handles more than 40,000 calls a year, and over half of the calls dealing with automobile insurance.

Click here to contact the Insurance Information Centre.

4. Insurance Policy Drafting

GAA handles the periodic revision, updating, and drafting of standard automobile insurance policies. Modifications and new wording must be approved by the Inspector General of Financial Institutions before they can be incorporated into standard contracts.



5. Joint Report Distribution

The GAA is responsible for formulating and distributing the Joint Report, which aims to accelerate the claims process. The report is filled out by policyholders themselves following accidents that did not result in injury. Copies can be obtained from your insurer or broker. You can also order a copy by mail, by filling out the mail order form.

6. Information and Awareness Campaigns

Every year, the GAA runs information campaigns to keep Québec policyholders informed about factors that affect their premiums, the extent of their coverage, the concept of liability in accidents, and other topics, such as car theft. Depending on the circumstances, the GAA will communicate its messages via media, public relations or advertising campaigns.

Since May 2002, the GAA, in conjunction with the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), is running an annual awareness campaign, which aims to encourage policyholders to take an interest in their insurance before a loss occurs and to help them better understand this topic. As part of this campaign, the GAA and IBC have created the www.infoinsurance.ca Website, which has been developed specially for consumers.



7. Participation in the Claims Emergency Response Plan

The Claims Emergency Response Plan was created by GAA member-insurers and the Insurance Bureau of Canada as a tool for remaining in constant contact with the various organizations that go into action during a major disaster. The GAA is a participant because the Plan enables it to be at policyholders' disposal, and provide them with accurate information about the types of coverage that apply in specific disaster situations. The Claims Emergency Response Plan has enabled the GAA to respond quickly to claimants' questions following the flooding of the Saguenay in July 1996. This disaster caused over $3.5 million in automobile damage.

For more information about the Claims Emergency Response Plan, click here.