Answers to all your questions

Yes, insurance companies will cover most of the damage caused by natural catastrophes, including hail. Same for lightning, wind storms, tornados and hurricanes. You can also get coverage for earthquakes.

However, floods and earth movements are natural disasters that cannot be insured under your home insurance policy.

Yes, the theft of your CD or DVDs is covered under your home insurance policy. However, your claim may be limited to $1,000 or $2,000.

You should know that most insurance policies have limits for the repayment of certain items such as software, fur coats, jewellery and art. Find out what your limit is and have it increased, if necessary.

No, pools, spas and saunas and their accessories are not covered by your insurance policy, unless you have additional coverage under your policy.

An endorsement can cover any collapse due to snow or ice and is inexpensive. It is important to note that this is not a maintenance contract, but coverage in the case of accidental damage to a pool, spa or outdoor sauna.

Yes, a home insurance policy covers water damage from a leak or a sudden accidental appliance breakdown. Moreover, if the accident occurs in an apartment or a condo, damage caused to neighbours and to the building is covered by your third party liability.

Yes, fire is covered under your policy, whether it started by accident or due to your carelessness.

Home insurance includes coverage for belongings, the building, living costs as well as third party liability. This way, the liability coverage protects you if you are deemed to have been negligent. If any lawsuits are filed against you, your insurer will handle your defence, and may also assume the cost of any damage unintentionally caused to others.

No, your insurance policy is designed to cover everything that has to do with your personal activities, not with your work activities carried out of a home office.

However, your computer, your reference work and other work tools are covered up to $1,000. You should be aware, however, that your policy does not provide any coverage for civil liability if one of your clients is injured at your home.

A self-employed individual requires specific coverage that includes protection for work equipment as well as third party liability. If you have more than $1,000 worth of possessions, it is worthwhile protecting yourself properly. Finally, if a fire causes serious damage to your home and you are forced to move your home office, your home insurance policy will not cover the expenses. So think about protecting your business as well.

Yes, your home insurance policy covers not only your property but also third party claims for any damage you may unintentionally cause to someone else's property and this, anywhere in the world.

Under civil liability, a person is liable to reparation for injury he causes to another person, or for injury caused by the act or fault of another person or by the act of things in his custody

When you rent a cottage or a hotel room, civil liability protection (referred to as fire legal liability) provides insurance coverage for damage caused by fire, explosions, smoke or water.

Take for example a golf cart on a golf course. Third party liability insurance would cover you for any damage you cause using the cart, but not damage caused to the cart itself.

No, the infiltration of water through the walls, doors and windows is a risk that is not automatically covered under your policy.

However, this risk can be assured by adding an endorsement to your home insurance policy. Because water damage is the main cause of claims, getting special coverage is therefore a very good idea.

No, your home insurance will cover the possessions of the insured. But the possessions of your partner and his/her children are only covered if you've been living together for at least three years.

It is therefore important, when moving in with a partner or roommate, to have the new names added to the policy so all may benefit from it. By having your name on the policy, not only do you get protection for your belongings, you also get third party liability protection if you accidentally cause damage to others.

Yes, it's important to inform your insurer of any changes so you can be sure you have enough coverage if you need to rebuild. Should a major disaster occur, such as a fire, remember that your insurer undertakes to restore the premises to the state they were in before the disaster. That's why having adequate coverage is so important.

Want to install a wood-burning stove in the basement?
Ensure the installation respects all safety codes and inform your insurer. It is possible that your insurer might want to visit your home upon completion of all work. Renovations often include new purchases such as a home-theatre, and furniture. Don't forget to update the inventory of your belongings; it will ensure that you have sufficient protection and will facilitate any claim resulting from a fire or any disaster.

Well, the answer is no. The fact is the color of your car won't affect your premiums. However, the type of vehicle and the driver's experience are among the factors that will affect your insurance premiums.

These factors indicate a greater or lesser likelihood of being involved in an accident or a theft. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium. By the same token having more coverage increases the premium. Other factors that may influence your premium are age, gender, civil status and driver's occupation.

The correct answer is your insurance company. That's right. Your insurer is the one that decides your share of the responsibility, not the police. Your insurer will figure out your liability based on the Direct Compensation Agreement which describes the majority of accident scenarios.

If you are not responsible for the accident, your insurer will cover the damages and you will not pay the deductible. If you are responsible, your insurer will cover the damage if you have purchased collision coverage (Section B of your policy). In this case, you will have to pay the deductible.

Also, remember that, by filling out a Joint Report, you are simply identifying the people involved, which speeds up the process. It's not a question of identifying the person responsible. Do you have a Joint Report in your car? If not, contact us at www.infoinsurance.ca/en/doc/documents.aspx.

The correct answer is your home insurance. It covers the theft of the camera even though it was in your car. The same goes for any belongings, including sports equipment or a lap-top computer.

Home insurance covers the theft of possessions inside and outside your home. If you don't have home insurance, you won't be covered for this kind of theft. However, the theft of a component in the car, such as the sound system, is covered. And if your car windows were broken during the theft, this damage would also be covered by your car insurance.

Yes, your insurance company must be informed of any accident. Plus, it's a good idea, so they can get your side of the story.

You should know that, even if you don't declare it, the accident can be added to your file at the Fichier central des sinistres automobiles (Claims Tracking Database) if the other driver involved in the accident reports it to his insurer. In this case, the only version in your file would be the version in the report issued by the other driver's insurer.

It is better to report the accident yourself to your insurer. That way you can give your version of the facts to your insurer, who will be able to determine your level of responsibility. If you inform your insurer even though no claim was paid, the insurer will make a note, specifying that no claim was paid.

Two-way insurance refers to complete coverage both for your vehicle and any other vehicle.

One-way coverage refers to the Quebec mandatory civil liability insurance, which covers damage you may cause to others. The same mandatory coverage protects you for damages to your vehicle when you are not deemed responsible. Contrary to popular belief, any damage you sustain during a car accident is paid by your insurer and the latter is no longer reimbursed by the insurer of the person responsible, as was the case before 1978.

The answer is your insurance company. Your insurance company would pay, if the damage to your car is covered under your policy (Section B). You can't hold the government, the municipality or the deer responsible!

Moreover, any motorist who injures or kills a wild animal must report it to the wildlife protection services. This type of accident can cause serious damage to your vehicle. Given that there are 6,000 road accidents of this kind involving large animals per year in Québec, it's worth considering this kind of coverage (Section B coverage under the automobile policy).

Yes, your insurance policy protects you when you travel everywhere in Canada and in the United States, within the limits of the protection you've bought.

The minimal liability coverage of $50,000 that is required in Québec is very low because the right to sue for bodily damages no longer exists here. This is not the case everywhere. If you travel outside Québec on a regular basis, it would be important to have at least $1,000,000 of civil liability coverage. Speak to your insurance professional to ensure the amount indicated on your contract is sufficient.

Your car was vandalized or stolen in the United States? Your insurance company will cover these claims provided that you have this coverage in your policy (Section B - All Risks or Comprehensive Coverage).

Yes, your insurer will cover you even if you've been careless or distracted behind the wheel.

Same goes for fatigue, which can also affect our ability to drive. Driving remains a complex task, demanding the driver's complete attention. One must therefore be vigilant. Whatever the cause of the accident, your insurer will determine your degree of responsibility and issue the corresponding indemnity. If you are held responsible, you will be reimbursed only if you have the appropriate coverage under your policy.

No, using your car for your yearly vacation doesn't affect your car insurance premiums.

Your insurer won't ask if you plan to use your car on your vacation. However, you will be asked to estimate your yearly mileage which, along with other factors, will be taken into account when calculating your premiums. This said, if you are planning a prolonged road trip outside Québec (usually for more than a month), you should notify your insurer.

Your car insurance covers you for travel within Canada and the US. If you buy or rent a recreational vehicle, remember that it is not covered and that you must buy additional insurance.

Renting an automobile for your vacation? You should know that Endorsement 27, which can be added to your policy, covers you for damage cause to rental cars at a lesser cost than the insurance protection offered by most rental car companies.

Your insurer. In Québec, it is always your insurer who covers you, whether you're responsible for the accident or not.

Contrary to popular belief, your insurer is no longer reimbursed by the insurer of the person responsible, as was the case before 1978. It is always your insurer who pays for the damages to your vehicle, according to your specific policy, whether you are responsible or not. Your degree of responsibility is based on the Direct Compensation Agreement in which the majority of accident scenarios are described. If you are not responsible for the accident, your insurer will cover the damages and you will not pay the deductible. If you are responsible, your insurer will cover the damages if you have purchased collision coverage. In this case, you will have to pay the deductible.