Definition : Insurance - Civil liability insurance of the co-owner

A co-owner accidentally broke down the garage door with his vehicle. This needs to be changed completely. His insurer offers to compensate us only partially. This one offers us to pay 90% of the bill because of the depreciation. Question: Are we required to accept this proposal? Answer: Technically yes. The basis of a claim for compensation as a result of damage caused by a co-owner to the common or private parts is civil liability, which may be "contractual", in the event of a breach of an obligation contained in a contract (for example: the declaration of co-ownership), or "extra-contractual" if the fault alleged is the breach of an obligation provided for by law generally governing relations between individuals.

Deux (2) jugements[1] récents rendus par l’Honorable juge Georges Massol, de la Cour du Québec, abordent l’article 1074.2 du Code civil du Québec et le sens qu’il faudrait donner à cette disposition introduite au Code civil du Québec en décembre 2018 et qui a été modifié en mars 2020. L’audition de ces causes a eu lieu le 13 octobre 2021 et les deux jugements portent la date du 21 octobre 2021. Signalons que le sinistre à l’origine de ces réclamations est survenu en mars 2019. Il s’agit de deux poursuites entreprises pas des copropriétaires d’un même syndicat, afin de se faire rembourser des sommes qu’ils ont dû assumer personnellement, puisque les sommes réclamées étaient inférieures au montant de la franchise du contrat d’assurance du syndicat.

Water damage is the most common loss in co-ownerships.The concept of water damage also includes the liability of the syndicate, the co-owner and the tenant, who could be engaged in the event of damage suffered by third parties. The question of who is responsible for this constantly arises. However, it is necessary to know the law applicable to the culprit. Other considerations affect both the insurer of the syndicate and that of the co-owners concerned, in order to determine who will pay what. However, water damage can originate from a private portion, but also from a common portion (roof, façade, terrace, sewage discharge column that crosses the apartments, terrace).  

La question des assurances pour les copropriétaires (assurance-habitation) est un sujet délicat, car peu de copropriétaires sont conscients que ce type de produits d’assurances n'est pas homogène d'un assureur à l'autre. Ils risquent d’en faire les frais advenant qu’un sinistre important affecte leur immeuble.

Un sondage commandé par le Bureau d'assurance du Canada révèle que bien des copropriétaires connaissent mal l'assurance condo. Ils ont pourtant intérêt à en maîtrisee les bases, sous peine de possiblement vivre des surprises colossales. 

Les copropriétés qui perdent leur assureur ne sont plus des cas isolés. Si la plupart d'entre elles parviennent à en trouver un autre pour recadrer le risque, les primes et les franchises n'en demeurent pas moins substantielles.

A bathtub or a washing machine that overflows into the apartment below, a hot water tank that conks out and spills down six floors: losses involving the civil liability of a co-owner are many co-ownerships. And they are expensive! This is why the amount of insurance premiums and deductibles have increased significantly in recent years. Worse still, some insurers no longer want to insure co-ownerships, because of a loss ratio that has become out of control. This situation is directly related to the insurer of the syndicate, which is almost always called upon to cover a loss, when damage has been caused to the common and private portions. Thus the question of who is responsible arises. It is also necessary to know the applicable law to the owner at fault. Other considerations affect both the insurer of the syndicate and those of the co-owners concerned, to determine who will pay what?  

When you own an apartment in a co-ownership, you share the common portions, such as the roof, the lobby and the elevators in undivided ownership with the other owners. By the same token, you also share a portion of the liabilities attached to them.

Almost every insurance policy includes deductibles, the amounts of which vary depending on the risk insured. For example, the deductible for water damage is usually higher than that for fire. The amount of the deductible will be deducted from any compensation paid. Its purpose is to make the insured responsible, by making him take charge of part of the repairs of the damage caused by the disaster.  The advantage for the syndicate is to see its premium reduced. In co-ownerships, deductibles are a factor in the Building insurance, and in the third party liability insurance of the syndicate, directors, meeting officers, co-ownership manager and of the condo manager. Regarding co-owner’s insurance, generally each home insurance policy contains one or more deductibles for various amounts according with the nature of the loss.

Un copropriétaire doit s'assurer pour sa responsabilité civile, ses biens meubles et les améliorations qu'il a apportées à sa partie privative.

In co-ownerships, most water heaters (electric or gas) are installed within the apartments. In such a case, this device is an integral part of the private portions of the building. Each co-owners therefore has the responsibility to ensure the proper functioning, by checking (notably) any signs of dilapidation, and, if necessary, by replacing it at its own expense. Failing to do so, in the event of a breach, a co-owner could be held liable for any damages to the common areas of the building, as well as to the private portions owned by other co-owners, up to the amount of the deductible provided for the syndicate's insurance coverage. A look at the various technical and legal aspects relating to this device, which is essential to any residential unit.

Renting your apartment to tourists, exposes you to various claims. This could be the case in cases where it is recognized that you are legally responsible for a guest who injures themselves or has their personal belongings damaged or stolen during their stay in your apatement. While some short-term residential rental websites offer insurance for this, it is still essential to inform both your home insurer and your syndicate's insurer that you are engaged in such an activity. Remember that the insured must declare to his insurer any circumstance resulting from his actions that aggravates the risks stipulated in the insurance policy. This will avoid horror stories during a disaster.  

The transfer of ownership will take place at the signing of the deed of sale, as well as the taking of possession which usually takes place on the same day. In return for the payment of the sum agreed to the seller, the buyer will have the full enjoyment of the property sold. In addition, during the transfer of ownership, the seller transfers all the risks associated with the building. In this regard, the deed of sale usually includes a risk transfer clause which stipulates that once you have signed the deed of sale, you become responsible for the risks and losses related to your newly acquired property. It is therefore important to take out the necessary insurance (such as home insurance) from day one.

Question: I am a co-owner. Can the syndicate of co-owners claim the amount of the deductible for the insurance if I am responsible for the water damage?

A co-owner may be liable to the syndicate, the other co-owners and the occupants of the immovable. As stated in Article 1457 of the Civil Code of Québec, every person has a duty not to harm others. As a co-owner, you must be careful and abide to the appropriate rules of conduct in accordance with the context and circumstances. Otherwise, you engage your civil liability and are required to remedy (financially third parties for moral or property damage and  personal injury.Therefore, co-owners must take out civil liability insurance covering in particular claims arising from their private portion.