Civil liability

Mandatory

Civil liability coverage is mandatory and is integrated into all auto insurance policies.

Get a quote

1 866 650-4689

Get a quote

1 866 650-4689

Coverage

Civil liability coverage* includes:

Damage to your vehicle if you have an accident in Quebec for which you are not at fault
Property damage caused to third parties for which you are at fault, in Quebec, Canada and the United States
Bodily injury caused to third parties when an accident for which you are at fault occurs outside Quebec (Canada and the U.S.)

*Section A

A vehicle is said to be insured “one way” when it has only civil liability coverage. In the event of an at-fault accident, only damage caused to third parties is covered by the insurance policy. Damage to your own vehicle is not covered.

Here are a few examples of damages covered by civil liability coverage:

Driving abroad

On vacation in Miami, you lose control of your vehicle, slightly injure a pedestrian and end up on the grounds of a private residence. The pedestrian sues you for injuries sustained in the accident and the homeowner also takes legal action for damage to his fence.

Winter driving

You accidentally hit a guardrail with your car after slipping on a patch of black ice. The city then sends you an invoice for the cost of replacing the railing.

Fire department charges

Your car catches fire while you are driving on the highway and the fire department responds. You receive a bill from the fire department. Your civil liability coverage will cover this expense.

In the event of an accident with another vehicle

You are unable to brake in time and collide with a stopped vehicle in front of you. Your auto insurance civil liability coverage in your policy will cover the claim. An accident is always stressful: here’s what to do when it happens.

Civil liability: how much should you have?

In Quebec, the Automobile Insurance Act requires owners of a new or used vehicle to have at least $50,000 in civil liability coverage.
Motorcycle owners must also have this minimum civil liability coverage.
However, it is generally recommended that you opt for a minimum of $1,000,000 for your civil liability insurance.
If you often drive outside Quebec (in other Canadian provinces and territories, or in the U.S.), we recommend that you increase this amount to $2,000,000 to cover the costs associated with the more frequent and often expensive lawsuits that can arise abroad.
Don’t worry: increasing the amount of your civil liability coverage may be less costly than you think! Talk to an agent for advice on the right amount of coverage for your needs.
This could also be a good time to consider adding our Roadside Assistance coverage to your policy, why not?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is civil liability mandatory for auto insurance?

In Quebec, you are not required by law to have insurance to cover damage to your own vehicle. However, you are required by law to have civil liability coverage. This component of your auto insurance covers property damage caused to third parties for which you are at fault, in Quebec, Canada and the United States.

Civil liability coverage also covers bodily injury caused to third parties when an accident for which you are at fault occurs outside Quebec (Canada and the U.S.). In short, civil liability acts as an essential safety net, both for the driver and for third parties involved.

What is the difference between civil liability in auto insurance and in home insurance?

Civil liability for auto and home insurance shares the same objective of protecting against damage caused to others, but it applies in different contexts and covers different types of risk.

Civil liability in auto insurance covers:

damage to your vehicle if you have an accident in Quebec for which you are not at fault
property damage caused to third parties for which you are at fault, in Quebec, Canada and the United States
bodily injury caused to third parties when an accident for which you are at fault occurs outside Quebec (Canada and the U.S.)

Civil liability in home insurance:

is automatically included in all home insurance policies, whether you are a tenant, condominium owner or homeowner
covers bodily injury or property damage you may unintentionally cause to others, at home or elsewhere
covers you in the event that a water leak in your apartment damages your downstairs neighbour’s apartment, or if your dog bites a passer-by, for example

Does civil liability coverage work outside Quebec?

Civil liability coverage also covers bodily injury caused to third parties when an accident for which you are at fault occurs outside Quebec (Canada and the U.S.).

However, if you often drive outside Quebec, we recommend that you increase your liability coverage to $2,000,000 to cover the more frequent and often costly lawsuits that can arise abroad.

Don’t hesitate to consult an agent for advice on the right amount of coverage for your needs.

How much does civil liability coverage for auto insurance cost?

The cost of civil liability coverage is only one variable in the equation. Insurance premiums are different for each person. They’re determined based on each insurance company’s underwriting, which is based, among other things, on the vehicle to be insured and the driver’s profile.

Other factors can also have an impact on the insurance premium such as the make, model and year of the vehicle you drive, whether it’s a new or used vehicle, whether it’s owned or leased and repair costs.

Your insurance company also takes into consideration how you use the vehicle, your annual mileage, your driving record, where you live and past claims to determine your insurance premium.

The coverage you choose will also affect the cost of your premium. The deductible amount, added replacement cost coverage, civil liability amount and any other additional coverages you add will have an impact on the cost of your auto insurance. However, increasing the amount of your civil liability coverage may be less expensive than you’d think! Contact us at 1-866-650-4689 for more information.