Automobile Insurance

Yes, you can choose which shop repairs your damaged vehicle.

If you do not know which one would be best or would like some help in choosing one, La Capitale works with a network of trusted garages that can assess the damage on site. They are recognized for the quality of their repairs and will provide you with a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired. These garages guarantee their work for as long as you have the vehicle. Your claims adjuster will be happy to refer you to them, upon request.

The vehicle owner. You are the only one who can authorize repairs to your damaged vehicle during the whole claim process. The selected repair shop will have you sign a document authorizing repair of your vehicle.

Since the adoption of the Direct Compensation Agreement by the Groupement des assureurs automobile in 1978, your auto insurance company must pay for repairs according to the terms of the agreement.

In short, if you have an accident and the following three criteria are met, we will pay for repairing your damaged vehicle and we don't have any right to recourse against the insurer of the responsible party.

• The accident occurs in Quebec.
• The accident involves at least two vehicles or one vehicle and the load of another vehicle.
• The vehicle owners are identified.

The same rule applies if you are involved in an accident for which you are responsible. The insurer of the vehicle that you damage has no recourse against La Capitale.

If you are not satisfied with the settlement made in accordance with the agreement, the Automobile Insurance Act provides for your right to go to court.

The vast majority of body shops and dealers offer courtesy vehicles while repairs are being made to your vehicle.

If, however, a courtesy vehicle is not made available, a rental car is covered by Q.E.F. 20 Loss of Use Extension Endorsement that can be added to Section B. It allows for the reimbursement of rental fees for a replacement vehicle while the damaged vehicle is being repaired. Receipts are required and the claim must be covered under Section B. This coverage is subject to the insurance amount limit mentioned in the Declarations of your insurance contract.

If you don't have this endorsement and are not responsible for a collision subject to the Direct Compensation Agreement (see criteria under the question "Who pays for damage to my vehicle..."), La Capitale will pay the necessary fees incurred for a replacement vehicle while your vehicle is not available.

If you have an accident and no one is injured, and the Direct Compensation Agreement applies (see criteria under the question "Who pays for damage to my vehicle..."), it is not necessary to file a police report. We recommend that you fill out a Joint Report of Automobile Accident to provide us with the required information about the other vehicles involved in the accident.

However, if there are one or more persons injured, the accident is not subject to the Direct Compensation Agreement or any other damage is caused directly or accidentally to the insured vehicle (e.g. hit-and-run, vandalism, attempted theft or theft), a police report must be filed.

The cheque is always issued in the designated insured's and the repair shop's name. The cheque will be sent directly to the address indicated in the Declarations of your insurance contract.

If you assign your claim to the repair shop owner, we will make the payment directly to the repair shop.

The claims adjuster collects information during the course of the investigation that allow him or her to determine the responsibility of drivers involved in the accident. The percentage of responsibility of the drivers is determined according to the Drivers' Fault Chart of the Direct Compensation Agreement (PDF - 1,65 MB).

When a deductible applies, the amount is deducted from the indemnity payment. If your vehicle can be repaired, you pay the deductible to the shop that you have selected to repair your vehicle.

If you have caused damage to a third party in an accident and the Direct Compensation Agreement doesn't apply (for example, you were involved in an accident outside of Quebec or you hit immovable property such as a fence, pole, street lamp, etc.), the third party is likely to claim for damages. Civil Liability Insurance covers you against the financial consequences of this type of accident.

Furthermore, it is preferable to call your insurer when you have an accident, even a minor one.

Changes in insurance premiums at renewal are affected by several factors. A Customer Service agent can provide you with information on how it works.

Damage to the vehicle will normally be assessed within 5 business days, once the case has been assigned.