What every driver should know before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle that isn’t theirs.
Leaving your car at the shop for a repair? Being lent a courtesy vehicle? Borrowing a friend’s car? In every one of those cases, the same question comes up: am I covered if there’s an accident?
The answer hangs on a small detail a lot of people don’t know about: endorsement Q.E.F. 27.
🧾 What is endorsement Q.E.F. 27?
Endorsement Q.E.F. 27 (also called QEF 27 or F. A. Q. 27) is an option you can add to your personal auto insurance. It protects you when you drive a car that isn’t yours.
Without that endorsement, even if you’re insured for your own vehicle, you’re not automatically covered for damage to a borrowed car — like a courtesy vehicle.
🚗 In practice, why does it matter?
At Débossatec, our courtesy vehicles are insured. But in an accident:
- If you’re at fault and you don’t have endorsement Q.E.F. 27, our insurance covers it… but you’ll have to pay the deductible and any other cost that isn’t reimbursed.
- If you have endorsement Q.E.F. 27, your own insurance takes care of the damage.
👉 That gives you more control over the claims process and spares you unexpected costs.
💳 Does my credit card cover me?
No. Unlike a formal rental (say, at Enterprise or Discount), a car lent free of charge by a garage is not covered by the insurance that comes with credit cards. That coverage only applies to a paid rental.
🛠️ Why are we bringing this up?
Because we lend you a vehicle as a service — but once you’re on the road, you’re the one responsible for it. And unfortunately, plenty of customers find out too late that they aren’t covered.
✅ How do you check whether you’re protected?
It’s simple. Call your insurer and ask this question:
Do I have endorsement Q.E.F. 27 (or F. A. Q. 27) on my auto policy, and does it cover courtesy vehicles lent by a garage?
Most of the time, that endorsement costs about $30 to $50 a year. That’s little to avoid a big unexpected bill.
🧠 In short:
| Situation | With endorsement Q.E.F. 27 | Without endorsement Q.E.F. 27 |
|---|---|---|
| You have an accident (whether you’re at fault or not) | Your own insurance can cover the damage to the borrowed vehicle | Débossatec’s insurance covers it, but you could have to cover the deductible and certain costs |
| You bring the vehicle back undamaged | No impact | No impact |
✅ In an accident, no matter who is at fault, it’s Débossatec’s insurance that covers the vehicle to start with, but you could have to cover the deductible and certain costs. But if you have endorsement Q.E.F. 27, your own insurance can step in and keep you from paying the deductible or other costs.
📌 Conclusion
Endorsement Q.E.F. 27 is a small addition to your insurance that can make a big difference.
Before you borrow a car, take a few minutes to check whether you’re covered. And if you stop by our place, don’t hesitate to ask questions — we’re here to help you take care of your car… and your insurance record.
📍 Got a dent, a fender-bender or need a paint touch-up? Drop by any time, no appointment needed. 208 Rue Kennedy, Terrebonne, Qc 450-581-0333
