Automobile

Claims file
(Fichier central des sinistres automobiles)

Who is the custodian of the vehicle?

Since April 1, 2009, claims are attributed to the custodian of the vehicle. The custodian of the vehicle is the person who had charge of the vehicle when the accident happened. That person does not necessarily have to be registered under your policy. At the time of the accident, your friend was driving your car. The accident will be recorded in her file, not in yours. Did your son have an accident with your car? Then the accident will be recorded in his file. Find out more.

Do you know how many accidents you've had in the previous six years? At fault or not? You might be surprised to find out that this information can be found in a data base that tracks claims. It's called the Fichier central des sinistres automobiles (FCSA).

Who can consult it?

You An insurer
You
An
insurer

You can: the FCSA is public.
You can obtain and check
all the accidents registered
in your file.

An insurer from whom you request a quote will also consult your claims file to establish your auto premium. The premium generally takes into account the number of accidents you’ve had or claims you’ve made. Your insurer can thus offer you an impartial and fair price.

Hover the shadows with your mouse to learn more.

Consulting your claims file

Find out how to proceed to consult your claims file on the Groupement des assureurs automobiles (GAA) website.

To better understand the changes to the claims attribution rules.

Jack and Susan live in the suburbs. The couple shares two vehicles:

  • A minivan, owned by Jack, who is the policyholder and principal driver
  • A sedan, co-owned by the couple, with Susan as the policyholder and principal driver.

Ben, the couple's son, occasionally drives one or other of these two vehicles.

Case Description Before April 1, 2009 Since April 1, 2009
Collision with driver Ben was involved in a collision while at the wheel of his father's minivan.

The claim was attributed to Ben, the driver at the time of the accident.

The claim was also recorded in Jack's file, since he was the insured and designated principal driver of the damaged vehicle.

The insurer's investigation also concluded that Ben was 100% responsible for the accident. This information was recorded in both Ben's and Jack's files.

The insurer's investigation determined that Ben was the custodian of the vehicle at the time of accident.

The claim was recorded in Ben's file only.

The insurer's investigation concluded that Ben was 100% responsible for the accident. This information was recorded in Ben's file.
Collision without driver, including hit and run The minivan suffered damage while parked in front of the family residence. The claim was attributed to Jack, the insured and designated principal driver of the damaged vehicle.

The insurer's investigation determined that Jack was the custodian of the vehicle at the time of accident.

The claim was recorded in Jack's file.
Collision with an animal or object Susan hit a deer while driving her husband's minivan.

The claim was attributed to Susan, the driver at the time of the accident.

The claim was also recorded in Jack's file, since he was the insured and designated principal driver of the damaged vehicle.

The insurer's investigation determined that Susan was the custodian of the vehicle at the time of accident.

The claim was recorded in Susan's file.
Theft The couple's sedan was stolen from the parking lot of the restaurant where Jack and Susan celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. The claim was attributed to Susan, the insured and designated principal driver of the stolen vehicle.

The insurer's investigation determined that Jack was the custodian of the vehicle at the time of accident.

The claim was recorded in Jack's file.
Damage caused by hail

The minivan was damaged by hail.

The vehicle was parked in the parking lot at Susan's place of work.

 The claim was attributed to Jack, the insured and designated principal driver of the damaged vehicle.

The insurer's investigation determined that Susan was the custodian of the vehicle at the time of accident.

The claim was recorded in Susan's file.
Vandalism

Susan's sister, Mary Jane, borrowed the family sedan during a visit with Susan.

The vehicle was vandalized in a shopping centre parking lot.

 The claim was attributed to Susan, the insured and designated principal driver of the damaged vehicle.

The insurer's investigation determined that Mary Jane was the custodian of the vehicle at the time of accident.

The claim was recorded in Mary Jane's file.
Broken windshield A stone shattered the windshield of the family sedan, which was being driven by Ben, who was on his way to the country to spend a weekend with friends. The claim was attributed to Susan, the insured and designated principal driver under the policy.

The insurer's investigation determined that Jack was the custodian of the vehicle at the time of accident.

This information was obtained during a complementary investigation and sent to Susan, the insured.

The claim was recorded in Ben's file.

Notes

  • These examples are provided for information only.
    The insurer's investigation will determine the custodian of the vehicle at the time of accident.
  • The insurer sends a notice to every insured whose vehicle was involved in a claim reported to it.
  • Under certain circumstances, the insurer will also notify the vehicle custodians that the claim
    is being attributed to them and forwarded to their file at the FCSA.