A collision can take your car off the road for days — sometimes weeks — while it’s assessed and repaired. But life doesn’t pause: you still need to get to work, drop the kids at school, and run errands. The good news is that in Québec, your auto insurance often covers a replacement vehicle while yours is in the shop, and getting one back on the road doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how replacement-vehicle coverage works in Québec, and how to get one fast in Montréal.

How auto insurance works in Québec

Québec splits auto insurance into two parts. Injuries are handled by the public plan run by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), which compensates people for bodily injury regardless of who caused the accident. Damage to your vehicle, on the other hand, is covered by your private insurer. In other words, the public plan looks after people, and your private policy looks after your car. (You can read a plain-language overview from Éducaloi.)

Who pays to repair your car: “direct compensation”

For vehicle damage, Québec uses a direct-compensation system (the Convention d’indemnisation directe). This means you deal with your own insurer for damage to your car, no matter who was at fault. If you’re found not responsible, you’re compensated even if you don’t carry optional collision coverage, and you pay no deductible. If you’re responsible, you need collision coverage (Chapter B) and you pay your deductible. Either way, you’re not chasing the other driver’s insurance company. (Details from the Groupement des assureurs automobiles.)

Does your insurance pay for a rental or replacement car?

This is where one specific coverage comes in: the optional endorsement F.A.Q. No. 20, also called “Replacement transportation” or “Travel expenses.” If it’s on your policy, it reimburses reasonable transportation costs while your vehicle is unusable after a covered loss — whether that’s a courtesy car from the repair shop, a rental vehicle, or taxi and public-transit fares. A few things worth knowing:

• The replacement car has to be comparable to your own — the endorsement doesn’t cover a luxury upgrade.
• There’s usually a maximum per claim, and often a maximum per day; the exact amounts vary from one insurer to another.
• Fuel isn’t covered, and you should keep your receipts.

If you’re not sure whether you have this endorsement, check your policy or ask your broker before you rent — it’s the single most useful thing to confirm. (More on what’s covered from Infoassurance, the public information service of Québec’s auto insurers.)

How to get your replacement vehicle fast in Montréal

Once you know your coverage, getting back on the road is straightforward:

• Report the accident to your insurer and, where required, to the police.
• Get a repair estimate so you know roughly how long you’ll be without your car.
• Confirm your coverage — ask your insurer whether you have F.A.Q. No. 20 and what your daily and total limits are.
• Book your replacement vehicle.

That last step is where U-Lease makes things easy. If you’ve been in an accident, U-Lease provides your replacement vehicle in Montréal and bills your insurer directly — so there’s no large upfront cost to you. Booking is fast, 24/7 roadside assistance is included, and because U-Lease doesn’t require a credit card, you’re not stuck placing a big hold on a card at the worst possible time. You can see how it works on our replacement vehicle & insurance claim page.

A few practical tips

• Choose a vehicle that fits your needs and stays within your coverage limit.
• Ask about direct billing so you’re not paying out of pocket and waiting weeks for reimbursement.
• Keep every receipt if you do pay for any transportation yourself.

This article is general information, not insurance advice. Your coverage depends on your own policy — confirm the details with your insurer or broker.