Did you have a minor collision on the road? If you prefer to have your vehicle repaired at your own expense or if you have the skills to repair it yourself, do you still have to declare it to your insurer?
The answer is yes.
Here is why in 3 points:
1- The accident will be entered in your file in the Central Automobile Claims Register if the other motorist involved declares the incident to his insurer because the registration of a claim at the FCSA includes the vehicle and the driver's license of both parties involved in the accident.
2- Following a collision, the insurer investigates and determines the liability of its insured in the accident using the CID . By reporting the accident, you are able to explain the circumstances of the accident and allow your insurer to record your actual level of responsibility in the accident. You thus avoid that one assumes that you are responsible for the simple fact that you have decided not to claim ! By declaring the accident, your insurer can specify that no compensation has been paid.
3- As an insured, you have certain duties to respect. Indeed, according to articles 2470 and 2471 of the Civil Code, you are required to report any claim or the circumstances of the claim to your insurer.
Your file in the Central Automobile Sinister Registry
The FCSA allows insurers to access your claims history. This file is different from the driving file managed by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec : the FCSA lists the claims in which you have been involved over the past six years, while your SAAQ file includes this information:
- the class (es) of the driving license and the license status
- the demerit point system and the points accumulated
- the offenses committed
- driving experience
- etc.
If your file is clean, you could benefit from better pricing. On the other hand, if you have been involved in several claims in recent years, you represent a higher risk for your insurer and your premium will be assessed accordingly.
When shopping for auto insurance and being asked if you've been in an accident, it's best to answer frankly, even if you've chosen not to claim damages. A new insurer who will consult your file at the FCSA will see that you have been involved in an accident.
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