The after-an-accident guide Terrebonne since 1942

My car,
my choice.

You have the right to choose the shop where your vehicle is repaired. It's your vehicle, and that decision is yours. Here's everything worth knowing before, during and after the call to your insurer.

Our help is free, and there's no pressure.

At the scene and within 24 hours

The first four things to do

Nobody thinks clearly after an impact. Follow the list, in order.

    What you'll be told, and what to know

    The lines our customers hear on the phone. Not one of them obliges you to anything.

    Not a quick decision

    “Your car is a total loss”

    It's an important decision, and it should never be rushed. You have the right to ask for a second opinion.

    What VGA means

    Once a vehicle is officially declared a total loss, it takes on the legal status of VGA — véhicule gravement accidenté, a severely damaged vehicle.

    Ownership transfers to the insurer, and the vehicle can no longer be driven without a thorough inspection by an agent mandated by the SAAQ, Quebec's auto insurance board.

    The status appears in the vehicle's file and on its registration certificate. It never comes off.

    The option nobody names

    Some insurers can pay out the maximum amount covered and let you cover the difference, so you can keep your vehicle. That possibility isn't always explained on the first call.

    Example
    Cost of the repair$6,000
    Covered by insurance$4,000
    Your share to keep the car$2,000
    Paying $2,000 to keep a vehicle you know and that still meets your needs can be a better deal than replacing it.
    Before you accept

    At Débossatec, we've already helped several customers keep their vehicle from becoming a VGA, where options existed.

    Before you accept a total loss, call us or drop by. We'll take the time to look at the situation with you.

    450-581-0333
    Claim or not?

    When the deductible gets close to the cost of the repair

    A $900 deductible, an $1,100 estimate. Claiming isn't always the better move, and it's worth thinking about before you call.

    • A claim is generally recorded in your file.
    • It can affect your insurance history.
    • It can lead to an increase in your premium, often estimated at between 5% and 15%, depending on the file and the insurer.

    Good to know: calling your insurer to ask questions does not automatically open a claim. Say clearly that you're calling for information, not to report a loss.

    Courtesy vehicle

    Are you insured in a loaner car?

    It depends on your coverage. Two scenarios are possible.

    Without Endorsement Q.E.F. 27 If there's an accident in a courtesy vehicle, the shop's insurance comes into play. You could still be responsible for the deductible and for certain costs that aren't covered.
    With Endorsement Q.E.F. 27 Your own insurance takes over and you're fully covered, as if you were driving your own vehicle.

    Your credit card does not cover you. A car lent free of charge by a shop is not a paid rental, and the insurance included with cards does not apply.

    We'll take care of it

    What we do
    for you

    A lot of customers would rather not handle these calls alone, especially when there's a lot of information to take in. We're here to back you up, from start to finish.

    Drop by or call 450-581-0333. No obligation.

    The glossary

    The words that come up in every insurance conversation, in plain language.

    Printable card

    The card for your glovebox

    One page, front and back: the photos to take at the scene, the information to write down, what to say to your insurer, and our number. Print it and leave it in the car. The card is currently available in French only.

    • Photos to take
    • Info to note
    • What to say
    • Our number
    Free, no email and no sign-up. 2 pages, letter size. French only for now.
    and if you want

    We send two or three emails a year: when to swap your tires, when to book rustproofing, that kind of reminder. Nothing else. One click to unsubscribe.

    Notice at the time of collection
    • Why : to send you two or three maintenance reminders a year. The card itself downloads without giving us anything.
    • How : through this field only, if you tick the box. No advertising cookies, no tracking.
    • Who sees it : the shop team and our technical providers Netlify, Supabase and Brevo, whose servers are outside Quebec.
    • Your rights : access, correction, deletion and withdrawal of consent at any time, from the officer below.

    Officer : Jason Renaud, Director of Operations · info@debossatec.com · 450-581-0333. Full details in our privacy policy.

    450-581-0333