What Happens After a Car Accident in Quebec? Towing Guide

What Happens After a Car Accident in Quebec? Towing Guide

The seconds after a car accident are disorienting. Adrenaline floods your system, your hands shake, and your mind races between “Am I okay?” and “What do I do now?” Thousands of Quebec drivers experience this every year — and most do not have a clear plan for what comes next.

The steps you take in the first 30 minutes after a collision determine how smoothly the insurance process goes, whether your vehicle is properly protected, and how quickly you get your life back to normal. Accident towing is a critical part of that process — and choosing the wrong tow operator or skipping key documentation steps can cost you thousands in uncovered repairs.

At Quebec Remorquage, our accident towing service handles the entire vehicle removal process — from scene cleanup to insurance-direct billing. This guide walks you through every step after a car accident in Quebec, from the moment of impact to the final insurance claim.

Step-by-Step: What to Do Immediately After an Accident

Follow these steps in order. They protect your safety, your legal rights, and your insurance claim:

How Accident Towing Works in Quebec

Accident towing is different from a standard breakdown tow. The vehicle may have structural damage, fluid leaks, broken glass, or deployed airbags — all of which require special handling:

• Scene assessment — The operator evaluates whether the vehicle can be safely loaded, checks for fluid leaks (fuel, coolant, oil), and identifies structural damage that affects loading
• Debris cleanup — Broken glass, bumper pieces, and vehicle fragments are cleared from the roadway to prevent hazards for other drivers
• Safe loading — Accident-damaged vehicles are almost always loaded onto a flatbed truck because bent frames, damaged suspension, or flat tires make wheel-lift towing unsafe
• Destination coordination — You choose where the vehicle goes: your preferred body shop, home, dealership, or an insurance-approved assessment centre
• Insurance documentation — We provide detailed towing receipts with scene photos, pickup/drop-off locations, and timestamps that your insurer requires for claim processing

Quebec Remorquage handles all of this in a single service call. Our operators are experienced with accident scenes and work alongside police, paramedics, and other emergency responders when they are present.

Accident Towing Costs in Quebec (2026)

Accident towing costs more than a standard breakdown tow because of the additional scene work, flatbed requirement, and cleanup involved:

*Prices vary by distance, vehicle weight, and recovery complexity. Call (418) 476-1522 for exact quotes. For all service pricing, see our complete towing cost guide.

The good news: accident towing is almost always covered by auto insurance in Quebec when the tow is directly related to a collision. Your insurer reimburses the tow as part of the claim — either through direct billing (we bill them) or reimbursement (you pay and submit the receipt). Quebec Remorquage works with all major insurers and can arrange direct billing in most cases.

Quebec Insurance and Towing After an Accident

Quebec’s auto insurance system is unique in Canada. The SAAQ (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec) handles bodily injury compensation through a public no-fault system. Property damage — including vehicle repair and towing — is handled by your private insurer.

Here is how insurance and towing interact after an accident:

• Towing is covered under collision or comprehensive coverage. If you carry collision insurance (mandatory in Quebec for financed vehicles, optional otherwise), the tow after an accident is a covered expense within your policy limits.
• You choose the tow company. Your insurer may suggest a preferred provider, but in Quebec, you have the right to choose your own tow company. You are not required to use whoever the insurer recommends.
• You choose the body shop. Similarly, you can direct your vehicle to any body shop you prefer — you are not obligated to use an insurer-recommended facility.
• Keep all receipts. The towing receipt, storage fees, and any related costs should be documented and submitted with your claim.
• Report the accident within 48 hours. Quebec requires reporting accidents to both the SAAQ (if injuries occurred) and your private insurer promptly. Delayed reporting can complicate claims.

Common Mistakes Drivers Make After an Accident

Stress leads to errors. Avoid these common post-accident mistakes that can cost you money and complicate your claim:

• Leaving the scene without exchanging information — This is a criminal offence in Quebec, even in minor collisions. Always stop, check for injuries, and exchange details.
• Admitting fault at the scene — Saying “I am sorry” or “It was my fault” can be used against you. Stick to factual descriptions of what happened.
• Not taking photos — Your memory of the scene will fade. Photos are the most powerful evidence in insurance disputes. Take too many rather than too few.
• Letting the other driver talk you out of filing a report — “Let us handle this privately” often means the other driver intends to dispute the claim later. Always file a report, even for small damage.
• Using any tow company that shows up uninvited — Some tow operators patrol accident-prone areas and arrive before being called, then charge inflated rates. Only use a company you called yourself.
• Driving a damaged vehicle home — A car that “seems fine” may have hidden structural damage, leaking fluids, or compromised safety systems. If in doubt, have it towed and inspected.
• Waiting too long to report — Insurance and SAAQ reporting deadlines are strict. Report within 48 hours to protect your claim.

Should You Drive Your Car After an Accident or Have It Towed?

After a collision, resist the urge to “just drive it home.” Check these items first:

• Fluid leaks — Look under the car for coolant (green/orange), oil (dark brown/black), or transmission fluid (red/pink). Any leak means the car should be towed.
• Tire damage — Flat, bulging, or visibly damaged tires make driving dangerous. Call for a tire change or tow.
• Steering alignment — If the steering wheel is off-centre or pulls to one side, suspension or steering components are likely bent. Do not drive.
• Airbag deployment — If any airbags deployed, the vehicle must be towed. Deployed airbags indicate significant impact force and possible structural damage.
• Warning lights — Check engine, ABS, airbag, or stability control lights on the dashboard indicate compromised systems. Have the car inspected before driving.
• Body damage blocking vision — A crumpled hood, broken headlights, or a shattered windshield make the vehicle unsafe and potentially illegal to drive.

When in doubt, tow it. The cost of a $200 tow is nothing compared to a second accident caused by hidden damage — or a denied insurance claim because you drove on a vehicle your insurer considers should have been towed. For AWD or 4WD vehicles, always request flatbed towing to protect the drivetrain.

Vehicle Storage After an Accident: What to Know

If your vehicle cannot go directly to a body shop (it is late at night, the shop is closed, or you need time to choose a repair facility), it may need temporary storage. Here is what to keep in mind:

• Storage fees are typically $25–$60 per day — these fees accumulate quickly, so move your vehicle to a body shop or home as soon as possible
• Insurance usually covers reasonable storage — most policies cover storage for a limited period while you arrange repairs, but not indefinitely
• Remove personal belongings promptly — storage lots are not responsible for items left in your vehicle
• Ask about storage before agreeing to a tow — know where the vehicle will be stored, how much it costs per day, and what hours you can access it

Quebec Remorquage can tow directly to your chosen body shop, your home, or a secure temporary storage facility. We always discuss the destination and any storage implications before dispatch — no surprises.

Winter Accidents in Quebec: Additional Considerations

Winter accidents in Quebec carry extra complications that make proper accident towing even more important:

• Vehicles often slide off the road after impact — requiring winching recovery before the flatbed can load
• Road conditions make scene safety critical — ice and reduced visibility increase the risk of secondary collisions while you wait for a tow
• Cold temperatures limit how long you can wait safely — if your vehicle is not running, exposure at -20°C becomes a medical concern within 30 minutes
• Snow can hide damage — undercarriage impact with snowbanks or hidden curbs may cause damage not visible until the snow melts
• Salt and brine accelerate exposed metal corrosion — accident-exposed body panels rust rapidly when coated in road salt. Getting the vehicle to a body shop quickly limits secondary damage

For comprehensive winter safety preparation, read our winter breakdown safety guide and keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle at all times.

Related Services After an Accident

An accident often requires more than just towing. Quebec Remorquage’s full service lineup covers everything you may need:

• Vehicle in a ditch after the collision? Winching recovery extracts it before flatbed loading
• AWD or electric vehicle? Flatbed towing protects the drivetrain
• Heavy truck accident? Heavy-duty towing handles commercial vehicles
• Need the vehicle moved far? Long-distance towing to out-of-town body shops
• Dead battery from sitting? Battery boost after the car is repaired
• Keys locked in the damaged car? Car unlocking without further damage
• Car is a total loss? Scrap car removal with cash payment

All services available 24/7 across the Quebec City service area — Sainte-Foy, Beauport, Charlesbourg, Limoilou. For more on what to do while waiting for help, see our stranded driver safety guide.

Frequently Asked Questions