Definition : Insurance - Liability insurance of Directors

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. 

La loi oblige tout syndicat de copropriétaires à déclarer un sinistre, bien qu'il puisse ne pas réclamer d'indemnités. Ne pas déclarer un sinistre peut entraîner de graves conséquences.

Être administrateur de copropriété n'est certes pas toujours facile. Cette charge est lourde de responsabilités et comporte des hauts et des bas. Mais l'important, c'est qu'à la fin de son mandat, tout administrateur ait le sentiment du devoir accompli.

Les sinistres qui proviennent d'une unité, au sein d'une copropriété, obligent bien souvent un syndicat à payer la franchise pour faire réparer les dommages occasionnés. Lorsque l'assureur du copropriétaire ne veut pas rembourser cette franchise, un syndicat peut intenter une procédure judiciaire. Cette webradio explique comment s'y prendre.

L'assurance du syndicat comporte plusieurs volets, dont celle des administrateurs et des officiers d'assemblée. Cette vidéo fait le tour des différentes couvertures propres à ce type d'assurance.

Your co-ownership is exposed to various risks, such as fire, water damage, theft and vandalism. When a loss occurs, the insurance of the co-ownership covers the immovable and the civil liability of the syndicate of co-owners. The syndicate has the obligation to subscribe this type of insurance. The Law and the vast majority of declarations of co-ownership make it compulsory. The insurance contract describes the guarantees offered, their limits, exclusions, and the amounts of the deductibles. Your syndicate must subscribe the following coverages:

The director plays a leading role in a co-ownership. As a mandatary of the syndicate of co-owners, he ensures the smooth running of the immovable’s day to day business, which implies a working knowledge of the tasks related to this key function. As such, directors must act with prudence, diligence, honesty and loyalty. The members of the board of directors thus evolve in a legal environment where their personal liability can be sought as part of their mandate on behalf of the co-ownership as well as towards third parties. The civil liability of the directors with regard to the tasks incumbent upon them is largely ignored. Thousands of Quebeckers who sit annually on a board of directors, maybe including yourself, are unaware of this state of affairs.

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.

The members of the board of directors play a key role in the co-ownership: they must be involved in the life of the building to ensure the proper management of the co-ownership and the well-being of the co-owners. Usually appointed by the Meeting of the co-owners, the director is a member of the Board of Directors of the syndicate. Its duties are to make decisions on the directions and priorities of the Syndicate. Such Decisions are without limitation for the purpose of the preservation of the immovable and also the management and maintenance of common portions. People who are thinking of becoming a director of a syndicate of co-owners have or should ask themselves certain questions before submitting their candidacy for this office. Do I have the required qualities and skills?