Quebec announces new measures to reduce wait times at SAAQ, simplify creating online accounts

The Quebec government announced new measures Monday afternoon aimed at reducingwait times at the province's automobile insurance boardandsimplifying the process of creating an account on the SAAQ's new online portal.

Starting Monday, customers will be able to receive support to set up theirSAAQclicaccounts in person at several designated service centres.

Identity verification will be done in the presence of a staff member.Only two pieces of identification will therefore be necessarya health insurance card, a driver's licence, a birth certificateor a passport will do.

Customers can find this type ofsupport at the following SAAQ service centres:Langelier (Montreal),Gatineau, Laval, Longueuil, Lebourgneuf, Drummondville and Saguenay.

The move comes in response to problems many customers have encounteredwhile trying to create aSAAQclicaccount. The process requires several steps, which include providing your social insurance number,health card number, driver's licence as well as the notice of assessment number issued by Revenu Qubec in the last income tax return.

Given the complexity of this authentication process, many people have opted to visit an SAAQcounter, contributing to the traffic in service centres since the online portal's launch on Feb. 20.

Starting Tuesday, theSAAQ's website will indicatethe average wait times at all of its points of service to helpcustomers better plan their visits.

The government said it will also extend the registration for truck drivers by 90 days.

This measure, which comesin addition tothose announced March 5, aims to ensure that truck drivers have an additional period to obtain the renewal of their certificate.