When you invest in a second home or cottage, you’re investing in more than just a building: you’re investing in your time, freedom, and memories. Yet, these properties are often more vulnerable to risks than your primary residence. Less frequently visited and sometimes isolated, they are exposed to incidents like fire or water damage that can go unnoticed for days.
A second home insurance policy helps protect you against these risks by adapting to your reality. Whether you use your cottage year-round or only occasionally, the experts at J. Gérard Fortin & Associés can design a tailored coverage plan based on the value of your property and its actual use. Additionally, insuring your cottage with the same insurer as your primary residence simplifies procedures and avoids unpleasant surprises in the event of a claim.
Your second home deserves the same attention and security as your primary residence.
Insuring a second home or cottage requires a precise assessment of your needs. Unlike primary home insurance, policies for seasonal residences are often established on a “named perils” basis. This means that only the risks specifically listed in the policy are covered. You have the freedom and responsibility to choose the appropriate protections.
You can choose to cover only major risks like fire or extend protection to other aspects, depending on your concerns. The experts at J. Gérard Fortin & Associés assist you in this process to build a policy that reflects your needs.
Insure the cottage as a structure, whether it’s newly built or older. This includes walls, roof, foundations, and anything permanently attached.
Protect the contents of the cottage if you’ve furnished it. This includes appliances, furniture, dishes, etc.
Cover sheds, detached garages, or other secondary structures on the property.
Essential to protect you in case of injury or damage caused to others on the property.
While optional, this coverage can be useful if the cottage is isolated or unoccupied for extended periods.
These descriptions are provided only as a guide. Certain conditions, limitations and exclusions may apply to each of these guarantees, as specified in the forms. Coverage is also subject to change without notice. Please refer to the forms provided by your insurer and to their modifications.
Tenants and co-owners, simplify your claims process by opting for the online inventory of belongings, accessible from your computer, tablet, or phone. This simple and practical tool lets you easily list your belongings and estimate their actual value.
Why keep your inventory up to date ?
You are better prepared in case of loss, theft, or damage.
You greatly simplify the claims process.
You can more accurately assess the value of your assets.
You clearly identify your home insurance needs.
You can then discuss your coverage with your broker if adjustments are needed.
Sign up now and get one year of free service. To take advantage, contact an expert at J. Gérard Fortin & Associates.
To learn more about how to properly complete your inventory: Read our article
Download your inventory form here: Inventory Form
If the situation requires, first contact emergency services (firefighters, police, etc.) to ensure the safety of the premises. Then promptly contact your insurer via their 24-hour emergency hotline. They will open your claim file and ask you questions about the event. Please answer thoroughly.
If the situation requires, first contact emergency services (firefighters, police, etc.) to ensure the safety of the premises. Then quickly contact your insurer via their 24/7 emergency line. They will open your claim file and ask you questions about the incident. Please provide complete answers.
Call 911 immediately to request police assistance. An officer will come to the scene to assess the situation and prepare an incident report. Filing a report with the authorities is mandatory for any insurance claim. This report will serve as essential evidence in processing your claim.
Make sure the premises are safe before taking action. Turn off the electricity and, if necessary, the water supply. Act quickly to minimize damage by allowing emergency work such as pumping or drying. Do not clean without professional advice to preserve the evidence needed for the assessment.
Make sure the premises are safe before taking action. Turn off the electricity to prevent any risk. Act quickly by authorizing emergency work such as tarping the roof or boarding up broken windows. Do not clean without professional advice to preserve the evidence needed for the assessment.
Once you have obtained the police report, promptly contact your insurer via the 24/7 emergency hotline. The insurer will open a claim file and ask you questions about the circumstances of the theft. Provide as precise and complete information as possible to help facilitate the assessment of your claim.
Take detailed photos and videos of the damage, both inside and outside, including flooded areas, leaks, and mold. Keep all invoices for emergency expenses such as pumping, drying, repairs, cleaning, temporary accommodation, and replacement of belongings. These documents will help support your claim.
Take detailed photos and videos of burns, soot, charred areas, and damage caused by smoke or extinguishing water. Keep all invoices related to emergency expenses such as accommodation, essential clothing, specialized cleaning, urgent repairs, and infrastructure work. These documents will help support your claim.
List the stolen items with as much detail as possible: descriptions, estimated values, purchase receipts, or photos if available. This step will help the insurer assess your losses. The adjuster may also request additional documents or visit the site to verify the damages. These documents will help support your claim.
Yes, but this must be declared to your insurer. Rental use may require an adjustment to your existing policy or a separate policy, depending on the frequency and duration of the rentals.
No, but it can affect certain coverages, such as protection against frozen pipes or rapid detection of losses. Maintenance conditions may be required.
In some cases, yes. Many insurers offer advantageous packages if you combine both properties. This can simplify claims and sometimes provide discounts.