Compare Quebec home insurance quotes

Getting the best home insurance typically means more coverage to reduce your exposure to risks. While a comprehensive home insurance policy does protect you from most risks, there are some things you may need to add to your existing coverage. 

For instance, earthquake insurance is not standard. If you live in an area of Quebec known for its earthquakes, consider adding the coverage. That way, your home is protected from anything related to the earth's unknown movements. 

You might also consider flood insurance. A typical home insurance policy protects you from water damage from a burst pipe. It doesn't, however, protect you from a sewer backup or overland water (flooding from rising lakes or fast-thawing snow). 

Finally, if you have valuable possessions such as jewellery, rare art, or even expensive bikes, consider upping your contents insurance limits. A home insurance policy will typically cover appliances, furniture, and electronics but only up to a certain amount. If you have things of value, buy extra insurance to protect them. 

The average cost of home insurance in Quebec is $984 annually or about $82 per month. However, the cost will vary greatly based on your location (e.g. Montreal vs. Prevost), the size of your home, and the type of home and insurance you need. 

For instance, if you're living in a condo, you need condo insurance which could cost you about half as much. However, you'll also pay condo fees which help pay for the building insurance. 

If you're living in an apartment, you need renters insurance which could cost as little as $20 per month. 

Unlike Quebec car insurance, you aren't required to carry home insurance by law. However, your mortgage provider probably requires it as a lending condition with them. If you're renting, you only need tenant insurance it if your landlord requires it. If you're living in a condo, the condo board could potentially insist on insurance. 

Keep in mind that home insurance protects you from significant risks, and anything can happen. If you're mortgage-free, you don't need insurance, but it can also save you thousands of dollars in the long run. So before you give up your policy, weigh all your options – no one can predict a hurricane or tornado damaging your home. 

The people of Quebec look to TD, Desjardins, and Intact as their most popular providers. However, the most popular doesn't mean they're the best for you. Comparing home insurance quotes is easy and quick and you get to see prices from multiple providers (including some of the most popular ones). From there, you'll truly be able to view which insurance company will give you the best rate based on your unique profile and home. 

As a quick tip, home insurance companies may change their prices every year, depending on their budgets. So when you get the slip in the mail, quickly check here to see if your provider is still offering the best rate.  

There isn't much excluded from standard policies. If it's not covered, it's most often due to wear and tear that gets worse due to negligence. For instance, mould is seen as a lack of maintenance from a homeowner. If a home insurance claim could have been avoided with regular maintenance, you can expect it to not be covered.

Other common exclusions include infestations from termites or rats, home businesses, dangerous dogs, and sewer backup.

Otherwise, you're likely covered. The question then becomes, should you make a claim? The easiest answer is the cost of the claim should grossly outweigh the cost of your deductible. If your kid smashes a window and you want to file an insurance claim, first get an estimate on the repair. If the repair is $200 and your deductible is $1,000 then it really doesn't make any sense to file a claim. 

Yes, if you’re unhappy with your rate or customer service, feel free to move on. However, before you do, know that it's better to switch insurance companies to avoid any fees or gaps in coverage. 

A home insurance peril is an unknown or accidental event. For instance, if your home is struck and damaged by lightning, creating a hole in your roof, there is no way you could have prevented it. But a home insurance policy is not a maintenance plan, so if your roof has slowly degraded over time and now needs replacing, it's not a peril since its eventual replacement is expected.

Make a complete list of damaged or stolen items. Call your insurance provider as soon as you can and ask about what you’re entitled to, especially if you can’t currently live in your home – you may be entitled to hotel and food expenses. A claims adjuster will be in contact with you to fill out a proof of loss form. Ask about using your own contractor or if you’re required to use one they supply to repair the property.

Your deductible is the portion of the claim you’re responsible for paying before the insurance company will pay the rest. A higher deductible, meaning you'll pay more than standard in the event of a claim, will result in lower premiums.

Yes, is the simple answer. While Airbnb does provide host protection, it may not be enough. You should contact your insurance provider before any changes to your policy and that includes renting it out. If they’re not fine with you renting your property, you can move your policy to another provider who will.