Definition : Insurance - Insurer

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.

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.

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:

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.

Contrary to other jurisdiction, Québec Law does not compel a lessee to subscribe “home insurance” which, in the event of a loss, covers his property and his civil liability. This “negative-obligation” becomes a problem if your lessee causes damages to a third party and he is not insured. In such cases, the declaration of co-ownership can hold you (the co-owner) solidarily liable for the damages he has caused.   Civil liability Your lessee is liable for any damages he causes during the term of the rental. Civil liability insurance covers him against material damages or bodily harm he may inflict (unintentionally) to third parties, and against faults committed by persons he accommodates or lodges in his dwelling. This insurance also covers damages that his property may cause to third parties. For example, it will cover water damage to your apartment generated by an overflowing washing machine, and also in a neighbor’s apartment.