Home insurance and civil liability: a match made in Quebec—kind of like poutine and the province itself. When you’re shopping for home insurance, the words “liability insurance” are never far behind. But we get it—insurance jargon can get confusing, and that’s where we come in.
We’re here to break it all down so it actually makes sense. In this article, you’ll find clear, straightforward info about civil liability: how it connects to home insurance, the benefits it offers, and more.
Civil liability is a person’s legal obligation to repair any damage they cause to others or their property. Civil liability insurance is the coverage that protects you and your family if such damages occur.
In Quebec, whether you’re a tenant, homeowner, or co-owner, all home insurance policies include civil liability coverage as part of their basic protections (except in very specific and rare cases). It can save you a lot of trouble!
What’s the right coverage limit to choose? Great question! A civil liability insurance expert, like an insurance broker, can guide you (or just keep reading!)
It all boils down to one sentence: The civil liability coverage you have protects against damage caused to others by people or things under your responsibility.
This includes:
For example, if your daughter hits your neighbor’s brand-new car with her tennis racket, your home insurance’s civil liability coverage will protect you.
If you visit your in-laws and your youngest causes an overflow in the upstairs bathtub, you’re covered.
If your dog ruins your friend’s living room during a visit, or if you accidentally hit a skier who then takes a nasty fall and breaks his ski binding, you’re covered for all of that and more.
In fact, countless examples could be mentioned here. The key takeaway is that no one is immune to these unexpected events.
While home insurance and civil liability insurance are optional in Quebec, they definitely allow you to sleep soundly at night!
Think you might be at risk? Talk to a broker to get more information on professional civil liability or additional coverage options.
In Quebec, home insurance typically includes civil liability coverage of either 1 or 2 million dollars. Our advice: it’s always better to opt for 2 million when available.
There’s also an additional protection called Umbrella coverage, which exceeds 2 million dollars. Talk to your broker about it.
We can already hear you saying that millions in civil liability seem like overkill. But we assure you, the bill can escalate quickly when disputes arise. The real question is: is the coverage you choose truly suited to your situation?
Intuitively, when we think of “home insurance and civil liability,” we picture a suburban family with a dog, a pool, and a BBQ…
Yes, this family certainly benefits from protecting themselves with the right product. But so do students, tenants, and self-employed workers. “… With home insurance?” you might ask. Well, yes: they also benefit from home insurance and the civil liability coverage that comes with it.
Here’s a simplified breakdown to clear things up:
College or university students considered “dependent” on their parents are generally already covered. Indeed, home insurance often includes civil liability coverage for children who are studying. So, it’s important to check as a student to avoid being doubly insured.
And how is civil liability insurance beneficial for students? It protects them in case they cause damage to others. Some examples include:
If it’s not included in the parents’ home insurance, the student can take out insurance in their own name.
Once again, the civil liability insurance included in a standard home insurance policy covers you for unintentional damage caused to others. It can be especially helpful in situations like:
Although your landlord is responsible for certain aspects of the property, any damage you cause is your responsibility—not theirs.
And as the examples above show: you’re a tenant, typically surrounded by neighboring units. That means any damage can quickly escalate, with potentially serious consequences and exponentially rising costs.
Filing a claim can be complex when it comes to civil liability insurance. At Fort Assurances, we recommend the following steps to help ensure a quicker and more satisfying outcome:
Because in the end, that’s what really matters. Tailoring your coverage to the specifics of your situation is always the best approach in insurance.
Not sure if your current insurance is truly optimal? Looking for your first home insurance policy? Whatever your situation, our brokers are here to handle every detail for you.
