In the Event of a Death in a Traffic Accident

You can count on us to guide you through this process and provide any assistance you may require.

Difficult though it may be, you must have your loved one's documents cancelled

Here is a list of certain documents of the deceased that must you must have cancelled:

• his or her driver's licence
• his or her vehicle registration certificate
• his or her accessible (disabled) parking permit, if applicable

To do so, call us (toll-free): 1-800-361-7620

Death benefit paid to the spouse

The spouse will receive an indemnity calculated based on the deceased victim’s gross annual income. Refer to the compensation table (PDF, 168.3 KB)⁠ ⁠ for the amount of this indemnity.

Death benefit paid to dependants

The children of the deceased are entitled to receive a death benefit for dependantsA dependant may be a minor child or a child of full age, provided the deceased was providing for more than 50% of the child’s needs at the time of death.. The benefit is calculated based on their age at the time of their parent's death.

If the deceased had no spouse, the children are entitled to receive—in addition to the death benefit for dependants—the amount of the death benefit that would otherwise have been payable to the spouse.

Dependants other than the spouse, if disabled at the time of the deceased's death, will receive an additional benefit.

DEATH BENEFIT PAID IF THE DECEASED HAD NO SPOUSE OR DEPENDANTS

We pay a lump-sum benefit: 

• to the parents or guardians, if the deceased was a minor
• to the succession (i.e., the estate), if the deceased was of full age, upon proof that the succession has been accepted

Compensation for diminished quality of life

This compensation can be granted for mental suffering, pain and diminished quality of life suffered by the deceased only if his or her death occurred more than 24 hours after the accident.

The amount of the compensation for diminished quality of life is calculated based on the severity of the injuries.

Psychological support

To help you cope with your loss, we can reimburse you for up to 15 hours of psychological counselling. Please note that the professional must be a member of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec for expenses to be covered.

To qualify for psychological support, you must be granted a death benefit.

Reimbursement of certain expenses

If your loved one was hospitalized before his or her death and you remained by his or her side at the doctor's request, we can reimburse you for travel and living expenses.

We can also pay you a daily allowance for accompanying your loved one before his or her death.

Lump-sum amount for funeral expenses

A lump-sum amount is awarded to the succession (estate) for funeral expenses upon proof that the succession has been accepted.

Filing your claim for death benefits

Online

Use our online service to file your claim for death benefits.

Using the paper form

If you prefer to file a claim using a paper form, you must first call us at 1 888 810-2525 to have your claim file opened and obtain a claim number. 

• You can download the Claim for Death Benefits (PDF, 763.1 KB)⁠ form and print it out.
• You can ask the person who opens your claim file to mail it to you.
• You can go to one of our service outlets and request it.

Refer to the Guide to the Claim for Death Benefits (PDF, 422.9 KB)⁠ for help in completing the form. If you need our assistance, you can count on us.

Additional documents to enclose with your claim, depending on the deceased's situation

If the deceased was a salaried employee

• The Attestation of Income by the Employer (PDF, 353.1 KB)⁠ ⁠ form

If the deceased was self-employed

You must send us, for each of the past 3 years:

Resident of Québec

• his or her provincial income tax returns
• his or her notices of assessment
• his or her Business or Professional Income and Expenses forms from Revenu Québec⁠ ⁠ or his or her statement of income (income and expenses)

Resident of other Canadian provinces

• his or her federal income tax returns
• his or her notices of assessment
• his or her Statement of Business or Professional Activities forms from Revenue Canada⁠ ⁠ or his or her statement of income (income and expenses)

If the deceased was a full-time student and age 16 or older

You must have the Attestation of School Attendance (PDF, 317.1 KB)⁠ ⁠ form completed. This form is provided to you with the death benefit claim form.

If the deceased was receiving Employment Insurance benefits or an employment assistance allowance

You must have the Confirmation of an Employment-Assistance Allowance Lost (PDF, 131.7 KB)⁠ ⁠ form completed. This form is provided to you with the death benefit claim form.

Submitting your documents

Online

Use our Document Submission online service

By fax

1-866-289-7952

By mail

Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
Case postale 2500, succursale Terminus
Québec (Québec) G1K 8A2

The time required to process a claim for death benefits is variable. It depends on when the necessary documents are received and how long it takes to analyze them.

The compensation officer in charge of processing your claim will contact you. The officer will also send you the decision in writing.

If your death benefit claim is granted, the compensation officer will indicate in the letter sent to you the amount you will receive.

If your death benefits claim is denied and you do not understand the reason for the decision, phone your compensation officer for more information. If you are still unsatisfied, you have the right to contest the decision.