If you have lost a loved one in a traffic accident, the SAAQ is there to help you file a claim for death benefits and funeral expenses.
The SAAQ and all our personnel offer you our sincerest condolences. At this trying time, rest assured that we will do everything possible to assist you in filing a claim for compensation.
You have 3 years from the date of your loved one's death to file a claim for compensation with the SAAQ.
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:
To do so, call us (toll-free):
Québec area: 418-643-7620
Montréal area: 514-873-7620
Elsewhere (Québec, Canada, United States):
1-800-361-7620
Please note that the amounts indicated below are contingent upon the SAAQ accepting the claim of death in connection with the accident.
The minimum death benefit paid to the spouseThe spouse may be the person married to the deceased or the de facto spouse of the deceased. A person is the de facto spouse of another person if the 2 of them have lived together as a couple for at least 3 years, or if they have a child together and have lived together as a couple for at least 1 year. is $73,846 and the maximum is $415,000.
The amount of the death benefit is calculated by multiplying the deceased's gross annual income by 1 to 5, based on his or her age.
Refer to the death benefit calculation tool.
The minimum death benefit paid to a spouse who is disabledThe SAAQ considers a person to be disabled if, because of the person’s mental or physical condition, he or she requires constant care and is therefore unable to work and lead an active life. is $73,846 and the maximum is $415,000.
The amount of the death benefit is calculated by multiplying the deceased's gross annual income by 1 to 5, based on his or her age.
Refer to the death benefit calculation tool.
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 of $30,461.
Refer to the death benefit calculation tool.
We pay a lump-sum benefit of $59,189:
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.
To help you cope with your loss, we can reimburse you for up to 15 hours of psychological counselling, to a maximum of $94.50 per hour. 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.
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.
The maximum amount of this allowance is:
We award a lump-sum amount of $5,534 to the succession (estate) for funeral expenses, upon proof that the succession has been accepted.
Use our online service to file your claim for death benefits.
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.
Refer to the Guide to the Claim for Death Benefits (PDF, 250.9 ko) for help in completing the form. If you need our assistance, you can count on us.
Remember to write your claim number on all documents you enclose with your claim.
You must send us, for each of the past 3 years:
Resident of Québec
Resident of other Canadian provinces
You must have the Attestation of School Attendance (PDF, 143.1 ko) form completed. This form is provided to you with the death benefit claim form.
You must have the Confirmation of an Employment-Assistance Allowance Lost (PDF, 158.1 ko) form completed. This form is provided to you with the death benefit claim form.
Remember to write your claim number on all documents you enclose with your claim. If certain documents are missing, you can send them to us later.
Use our Document Submission online service
1-866-289-7952
Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
Case postale 2500, succursale Terminus
Québec (Québec) G1K 8A2
If you file your claim online or by fax…
You are not required to mail us the original documents.
Remember to write your claim number on all your documents.
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.
Direct deposit of the death benefit
The SAAQ can deposit the death benefit directly in your bank account. If you choose this option, complete section 18 – Direct Deposit of the form and remember to enclose a cheque marked “VOID.”
Last update: May 11, 2021
