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CLEAR MANDATES
Fundamental Aspects of Auto Insurance
The law entrusts the GAA with specific powers in three fundamental aspects of automobile insurance:
1. guaranteeing access to insurance;
2. simplifying the claims process;
3. overseeing and regulating the professional appraisal of collision repair.
1. Guaranteeing Access to Insurance
It is the GAA's responsibility to ensure that every car owner can acquire the minimum amount of liability
insurance stipulated by the Automobile Insurance Act. According to the Act, anyone who owns and operates a
vehicle in Québec must have at least $50,000 in civil liability insurance in order to guarantee compensation
for any property damage the vehicle might cause.
That is why the GAA is responsible for managing access to civil liability insurance. It acts as an intermediary
between insurers and consumers who are having difficulty getting insurance.
Having trouble getting insurance? Click here.
2. Simplifying the Claims Process
It is also the GAA's responsibility to simplify the claims settlement process for policyholders who have suffered
loss of or damage to their vehicles. The GAA therefore established the
Direct Compensation Agreement (DCA), an agreement among
insurers that facilitates and accelerates the property damage claims process. Under this agreement,
policyholders submit claims directly to their own insurers for compensation to which they may be entitled
following an accident. The guidelines laid out in the Agreement were established based on the Highway
Safety Code and legal precedents.
To view the lists of the parties bound by the Direct Compensation Agreement, click on the desired list:
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Another GAA-created tool for accelerating the claims process is the
Joint Report. This is an accident report that is
completed following a collision that has not resulted in injury. If anyone is injured, the police must be
called, who will forward an accident report to the insurer if need be.
The Joint Report does not in any way constitute an admission of liability. The insurer determines fault based
on the guidelines set out in the Direct Compensation Agreement
3. Overseeing Collision Repair Appraisal
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Under the Automobile Insurance Act, the GAA has also created a network of appraisal centres, which are
subject to its standards, procedures, and regulatory measures. The goal is to keep premiums reasonable,
and to minimize compensation costs by using precise and professional appraisal techniques.
To access the lists of approved appraisal centers or accredited firms, click on the desired list:
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To find out more about collision repair appraisal,
click here.
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