Your home is valuable and always at risk. Although not mandatory, home insurance protects your assets and is required by mortgage lenders. It covers not only physical damages to your home but also your civil liability in case of an incident involving third parties.
Being well advised about home insurance is essential. Unlike many insurers offering standard coverage, J Gérard Fortin & Associés thoroughly analyzes your needs to offer you a competitive deal with the best protections available. Our personalized approach ensures coverage tailored to your reality, whether you are an owner, co-owner, or tenant. With our expertise, you benefit from clear and transparent support to make informed decisions with confidence.
Choosing home insurance can be a real challenge. That’s why, at J Gérard Fortin & Associés, our brokers are here to make it easier for you. We assess your specific needs to determine the best contract type, coverages, and additional options suited for your home. And we commit to getting you the best possible price without compromising the quality of your coverage.
This type of policy is the most advantageous. It provides coverage for all risks related to the building and its contents (except for the exclusions specified in the contract). The coverage often extends to accidental damages you may cause to your own property.
This type of policy includes two types of coverage. The first applies to the building and covers all risks (except those excluded in the contract). The second covers the contents against a limited number of risks. Naturally, this type of policy is more economical.
This product specifically covers the risks mentioned in the policy, such as fire, vandalism and theft, falling objects, impact from land vehicles, hail, or windstorms. It is essential to read this contract carefully to avoid any unpleasant surprises!
Choosing the right coverage for your home can seem confusing at first. Especially since it is your responsibility to determine the insurance amounts, as your broker is not authorized to assess them. At J Gérard Fortin & Associés, we are here to advise you and help you make informed decisions.
A building should ideally be insured for its full replacement value. Using a reconstruction cost estimation method, we can help you determine the appropriate amount for the building. It may also be wise to work with a professional appraiser. The replacement cost endorsement provides excellent coverage.
You should consider protecting any outbuildings located on your residential property, such as a detached garage or a shed. The owner-occupied policy typically provides coverage equal to 10% of the main building’s value for all your outbuildings combined. It is important to be vigilant about the amounts listed and you can request to increase them if necessary.
From the insured amount for the building, you automatically receive an additional amount attributable to the contents, which varies from 50% to 70% of the building’s value and is listed under the section for property and belongings not covered by a specific insurance policy.
The coverage for personal property in your home insurance policy includes an amount for belongings of a family member studying away from home, at their place of study. It can also cover personal effects of family members during a stay in a healthcare facility. Additionally, the coverage extends to belongings temporarily away from the insured premises, such as during travel.
Most comprehensive home insurance policies include a replacement cost clause for contents, meaning that damaged or destroyed items, whether clothing or accessories, will be replaced with new items of the same kind and quality.
You should be aware of any specific limitations in your contract regarding contents. If needed, you can purchase additional insurance specifically designated for these items.
If, following a covered loss, your residence becomes uninhabitable, your homeowner’s insurance policy provides amounts to cover additional living expenses during the repair period or until you can return home.
The various contracts offered by our insurers either specify a percentage of the building’s insured value or provide different amounts or contract durations depending on the policy you have purchased. This same coverage also protects against loss of income when your home contains one or more rental units.
This section of your homeowners insurance policy covers your personal liability for bodily injury or property damage that a third party may suffer due to your daily personal activities or the insured premises (homes or land) that you own or use.
The liability coverage limit is the maximum amount you are covered for in the event of a lawsuit against you. Your insurer will handle your legal defense if you are sued.
When deciding on the amount of liability coverage to purchase, consider that this protection applies worldwide. If you travel even occasionally, it is wise to increase your limit to \$2 million and even consider purchasing additional umbrella liability coverage.
If you engage in professional activities, such as being self-employed, you should disclose this and obtain coverage specifically for professional activities.
The homeowners policy covers medical expenses for minor incidents that may occur on your residence premises. This coverage pays for medical costs incurred by or on behalf of a victim of an accident resulting from your private life activities or on the insured premises. It also covers bodily injuries sustained by your domestic employees, such as a babysitter or housekeeper, while performing their duties.
This coverage protects against accidental damage caused to a third party’s property, provided it results from activities related to your private life or on the insured premises.
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.
Your policy may include a variety of interesting additional coverages, here are a few examples:
Water damage
Earthquake
Fire following an earthquake
Oil damage
Protection for your belongings outside the insured premises
Lock replacement in case of theft or loss of keys
Gravestones
It is our job to present and compare the additional coverages offered by our insurers and to provide you with the best protections to meet your needs.
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.
You rent your entire home or part of it, short-term or long-term, on sites such as Airbnb, HomeAway, and Kijiji? Several risks are associated with this type of practice: theft, property damage, civil liability, etc. Fortunately, a new residential solution protecting you from these dangers is offered.
This solution offers protection for risks not found in traditional policies, such as:
Water damage and sewer backups
Theft and/or vandalism during the rental period
Loss of rental income
This insurance also applies to Airbnb and HomeAway hosts.
Do you have more questions?
Contact your expert broker at J. Gérard Fortin & Associés and they will provide you with the appropriate information.
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, your home insurance covers the civil liability and belongings of your children, as well as those of your spouse, in many situations:
Minor children living with you are automatically covered, as well as any youth under 18 in your care residing under your roof. Their belongings are also protected.
Dependent children who are full-time students at college or university are also covered, even if they no longer live with you. Their belongings are insured up to 10% of your home insurance coverage amount.
It is important to inform your broker of any changes in your family situation (for example, a child moving out or starting post-secondary studies) so they can adjust your coverage accordingly.
Civil liability coverage, as part of your home insurance in Quebec, corresponds to your legal obligation to repair bodily injury or property damage that you, your family, or your belongings may cause to a third party.
This includes:
Injuries someone might suffer at your home or because of your activities;
Damage caused to others’ property, for example due to a water leak or fire;
Liability related to unintentional acts committed by your family members or your pets.
Your liability insurance protects you by covering the costs associated with these damages, including repair costs, legal fees, and any potential compensation to be paid.
In Quebec, liability coverage is an essential part of your home insurance and provides you with financial protection in case a claim is made against you.
The insured value of your belongings, within the framework of your home insurance in Quebec, corresponds to the cost required to repair or replace your belongings with new ones, without taking depreciation into account.
This includes:
The reconstruction value of your building, often calculated using an estimation method or by a professional appraiser;
The replacement value of your personal belongings, for which a specific clause may apply.
How is this calculated?
For the building, the insurer or an expert uses data such as the surface area, materials used, age of the construction, and local labor costs to estimate the reconstruction cost. For personal belongings, you can create a detailed inventory including descriptions, quantities, and approximate values, which facilitates an accurate assessment.
Choosing the right coverage amount is essential to avoid being underinsured. An adequate amount ensures that you will receive sufficient compensation in case of a claim. Your broker is available to advise you and adjust your coverage according to the actual value of your belongings and your home.
Exclusions, within the scope of your home insurance in Quebec, refer to situations or events that are not covered by your insurance policy.
These may include:
Damage caused by certain specific natural disasters (such as floods or earthquakes, depending on the policy);
Intentional acts or gross negligence;
Damage caused by wild animals;
Certain costs related to normal wear and tear or lack of maintenance.
It is important to carefully read your contract and consult your broker to understand the specific exclusions of your policy and to determine if additional coverage is needed.
The deductible, within the scope of your home insurance in Quebec, is the amount of money you must pay out of pocket in the event of a claim before the insurer covers the remaining costs.
This means:
For each claim, the deductible is subtracted from the total compensation amount;
The deductible amount may vary depending on the type of claim (fire, water damage, theft, etc.) and your contract;
Knowing the amount and terms of your deductible helps you avoid unpleasant surprises when managing your claim.
Disaster prevention, within the scope of your home insurance in Quebec, involves adopting measures and best practices to reduce risks and protect your home.
This includes:
Regular maintenance of your electrical and plumbing systems;
Installation and periodic testing of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors;
Securing your home against theft (alarm systems, sturdy doors and windows);
Shutting off the water supply during extended absences;
Practicing safe habits when using heating devices or flammable products.
These simple actions can help reduce the risk of disaster and sometimes lower your insurance costs.