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Limit of liability

Limit of liability

Carry-on baggage

VIA disclaims all liability for carry-on baggage missing, lost or damaged. VIA accepts limited liability for checked baggage only.

Checked baggage

 

VIA does accept limited liability, but only for checked baggage. This liability is limited to personal baggage – that is, to clothing, personal effects, and other articles packed for your comfort and well-being, and to articles other than personal baggage that can be carried in the baggage car.

Claims for damaged baggage or stolen items must be reported to a VIA agent at the location where the baggage is claimed, before the passenger leaves the station.

VIA Rail accepts no liability for:

  • Damage due to poor packaging
  • Exterior damage to the protective case or covering
  • Damaged items inside any piece of baggage if there is no sign of damage to the exterior
  • Minor scratches, nicks, marks or dirt considered normal wear and tear, which may occur despite all necessary care taken during handling
  • Theft, if the suitcase was not locked or the box was not closed and sealed with adhesive tape

For lost or damaged goods:

Checked personal baggage

  • Maximum liability: $750 per adult traveller
  • Maximum liability: $375 per child traveller

Camping gear, outboard motors, sporting goods, musical instruments and pets

  • Maximum liability: $250 per adult traveller

(Note: VIA Rail assumes no liability for bicycles not placed in a box.)

Items left in the checkroom at a station

  • Maximum liability: $25 per item

For the following items:

Maximum liability of $250

  • Musical instruments
  • Bicycles in boxes
  • Bicycles on the bike rack
  • Camping equipment
  • Outboard motors
  • Musical instrument

Items transported at the owner’s risk (no liability)

  • Baby items
  • Bicycles in a bag
  • Items intended for sale
  • Items intended for another person
  • Luggage racks
  • Perishable goods*
  • Sailboards and masts
  • Tennis racquets
  • Tools and toolboxes
  • Trunks

*Both food and liquid, must be transported in hermetically sealed containers secured with adhesive tape (only rigid plastic or metal coolers are accepted; Styrofoam coolers are not), and must be claimed immediately upon arrival (no checkroom service).

Make sure your belongings are securely packed and well protected. Place your items in their original box or in a rigid container providing them with adequate protection. A simple plastic or paper bag is not enough.

You can buy protective boxes and bags at the main stations.

If you put your belongings in a box, tie it with a rope. This facilitates handling by serving as a handle and can be used to hang the luggage tag.

Baggage check

In order to ensure the safety of our travellers, we reserve the right to check all baggage.

Note: compensation fees are subject to change without notice.

The passenger must notify VIA Rail as quickly as possible.

At the station

  1. The passenger must submit a claim for damaged baggage before leaving the station.
  2. The passenger must report the damage to a VIA Rail agent (at the baggage counter) and fill out the relevant form.

After leaving the station

In the event that the passenger had not noticed that their baggage was damaged while they were at the station, they must report the damage no later than seven days after the date they returned from their trip.

Compensation will be denied if you fail to comply with this requirement. You must abide by the following process:

  • We recommend you return to the station with your damaged baggage, your tickets and your baggage tags for VIA to assess the damage.
  • Once the damage assessment form has been completed, you may go to a J.P. Grimard workshop to have your baggage repaired.

You can download the “report of loss or damage to baggage” here. It is best to fill it out at the station with the help of a VIA Rail agent:

Claim for damaged baggage

Once the damaged baggage has been brought to J.P. Grimard within seven days of returning from the trip, the claim must be submitted in writing within 60 days of the date the passenger returned from their trip, and it must include the following:

  • The original damage assessment form
  • A copy of the electronic ticket
  • Several photos of the baggage with the damages
  • Proof of purchase may be required.

If you have already filled out an incident report at the station and you have a file number, you may bring your baggage to an authorized workshop. The repair person will bill VIA Rail directly.

Addresses of two baggage repair workshops

J.P. GRIMARD - Headquarters
177 Beaubien Street East
Montréal, Quebec H2S 1R3
Canada
Telephone: 514 277 4171
Toll free: 1 800 567 9303
Fax: 514 277 3502
Email: info@jpgrimard.com

Opening hours

Monday to Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday and Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
J.P. GRIMARD - Laval branch
3232 Saint Martin Blvd. West
Laval, Quebec H7T 1A1
Canada
Telephone: 450 681 8611
Courriel : laval@jpgrimard.com

Opening hours

Monday to Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..
Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

* You may have your baggage repaired at the workshop of your choice based solely on the assessment carried out by VIA Rail at the station.

* VIA Rail is not liable for damage caused to baggage that is too heavy or not properly packed, nor is it liable for normal wear and tear.